Do you need an SDK?

Engineering leaders at API companies frequently sought advice from Alex, the creator of the SDK generator used at Stripe, regarding the necessity of language-specific SDKs for REST APIs. Alex's experience suggests that such SDKs are beneficial as they enhance API adoption, reduce implementation time, lower support burdens, and are often seen as a mark of maturity by enterprises. Despite their advantages, historically, creating and maintaining SDKs was complex and costly, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, tools like the Stainless SDK generator, modeled after Stripe's technology, now facilitate the production of high-quality SDKs, making them accessible to more companies. Language-specific SDKs are particularly vital in enabling AI agents to effectively integrate with APIs by providing strongly-typed interfaces that can be statically analyzed for correctness. While not all APIs may require SDKs, especially simpler ones with stable data structures, for most APIs, having robust language-specific SDKs can unblock potential customers and provide a competitive edge.