August 2020 Summaries

Multi-cloud API management presents significant challenges but offers substantial benefits for organizations operating across different cloud providers and regions. As businesses increasingly rely on multiple cloud vendors to meet performance, cost, and regulatory requirements, they face complexities in managing APIs, such as maintaining consistent routing, authorization, and rate-limiting across disparate systems. Solutions such as containerization, GeoDNS, and API gateway software can simplify deployment and management, enhancing customer performance and ensuring data sovereignty compliance. The strategic selection of an API management platform that supports a multi-cloud approach can provide operational flexibility and future-proof a business's ability to adapt to evolving market demands, as illustrated by companies like Walmart that navigate competitive cloud landscapes. Ultimately, embracing multi-cloud API management can lead to improved customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and business scalability.

In her blog post, Jennifer Craig provides a detailed guide on setting up Tyk, an API management platform, on Amazon Web Services (AWS) using an EC2 instance. The tutorial walks users through creating and launching the EC2 instance, installing necessary software such as Docker and Git, and deploying Tyk using the tyk-pro-docker image. It also covers configuring the Tyk dashboard, creating an API endpoint, and testing it using tools like Postman. The guide aims to enable users to explore Tyk's features by providing a step-by-step process from bootstrapping the dashboard to setting up and testing a new API endpoint, emphasizing Tyk's simplicity and ease of use on AWS.

Emma Campbell, a UX Designer at Tyk, shares insights into her role in enhancing the user experience of Tyk's API management software, emphasizing the importance of making the product intuitive and user-friendly. Her journey from graphic design in New Zealand to UX design in Belfast underscores her passion for digital design and problem-solving, a path shaped by her keen interest in coding and digital workflows. Emma highlights Tyk's open and supportive work environment, where asking questions is encouraged, and she values honesty and constructive feedback from her peers to drive improvements. Despite working predominantly from Belfast, she enjoys the flexibility of remote work, which allows her to balance productivity and life tasks, and she appreciates the sense of community fostered by Tyk's remote-first culture. Outside of work, Emma is an avid hiker exploring Ireland, and she plans to move to the Republic of Ireland, leveraging remote work opportunities to continue her professional journey alongside her personal adventures.

Tyk’s Universal Data Graph (UDG) is a tool designed to facilitate the creation of new GraphQL-based services by integrating existing infrastructure and services without the need for additional coding. It addresses common complexities in modern development by allowing users to connect multiple data sources, such as RESTful APIs, databases, and Kafka streams, into a single schema, thereby creating new API products. The UDG simplifies the process of building production-ready GraphQL endpoints by enabling schema creation and data source integration through an intuitive dashboard interface. This approach allows developers to experiment with and utilize GraphQL without the overhead of building new services, as it leverages existing data sources to provide a unified GraphQL response. With Tyk, users can configure and manage these endpoints easily, making it a powerful option for enhancing service integration and improving data accessibility.

The shift towards microservices in software architecture emphasizes the importance of smaller, modular codebases that enhance both organizational efficiency and software maintainability. A recent workshop highlighted that while microservices present challenges such as managing service boundaries, containerization, and distributed transactions, they encourage a focus on low coupling and high cohesion, revisiting core modular software principles. Clear boundaries, often achieved through domain-driven design, reduce cognitive load and limit the impact of changes across the codebase. Additionally, smaller components decrease the need for extensive team coordination, thereby increasing development velocity. Ultimately, whether opting for microservices or a well-organized monolithic structure, the emphasis is on thinking smaller to manage complexity and improve software development processes.

Tyk has introduced several new GraphQL features to its API Management platform, including the Universal Data Graph, which allows users to create GraphQL endpoints using disparate data sources. The initiative, led by CEO Martin and Technical R&D Partner Ahmet Soormally, emphasizes schema stitching to unify data sources, along with implementing authentication, authorization, and query depth limiting for security. The platform highlights how major tech companies like Airbnb and Shopify leverage GraphQL for growth, offering tutorials to guide users through these features, such as converting REST APIs to GraphQL, enabling field-based permissions, and setting up the GraphQL Developer Playground. Tyk aims to provide a comprehensive solution for creating, securing, and managing GraphQL APIs efficiently, with ongoing content expansion planned.

Paul Kuruvilla, a self-taught programmer with a background in mechanical engineering, won the Tyk Side Project Fund for his project Codecrafters.io, which aims to fill a gap in the education space for intermediate to advanced programmers by offering a hands-on, community-driven learning experience. Inspired by his experience as an Engineering Manager at Shuttl, where he conducted developer training using a "Build your own X" format, Paul launched Codecrafters in February 2020 with challenges like "Build Your Own Redis," and has since added challenges for Docker and Git. Despite challenges in time management and user engagement, Codecrafters has grown by incorporating community contributions and using platforms like Reddit to attract users, while emphasizing the importance of expert feedback and peer competition in the learning process. Paul's project was validated through initial success at Shuttl and the creation of a publicly available web-app, and he advises aspiring side project developers to focus on the core idea and build a supportive community rather than striving for perfection from the start.

Lanre Adelowo, a Go Engineer at Tyk, shares insights into his role and experiences in an interview that highlights the benefits of remote work, the significance of having a product development plan, and his personal values centered on family and hard work. Since joining Tyk in February 2019, Lanre has transitioned from providing extensive user support to focusing primarily on building Tyk’s cloud infrastructure, while occasionally handling customer support tickets. He appreciates the flexibility and freedom at Tyk, which allows for continuous learning and open communication among team members. Lanre also discusses his background in Lagos, Nigeria, where he studied microbiology before moving into the tech sector, including a stint with the Nigerian government to help digitalize the tax system. Emphasizing the importance of setting up a proper home office and maintaining a routine for remote work, Lanre enjoys the productivity boost from avoiding Lagos' traffic and values the additional time spent with family. His interests outside work include going to the beach, enjoying Thai food, and listening to podcasts like "Stuff You Should Know," "Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know," and "Science Vs." His favorite books include "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and "Friday Black."