SDK Patterns For Accelerating API Integration

SDKs, or Software Developer Kits, play a pivotal role in API integration by streamlining the process for developers, but they come with challenges and varying opinions on their usefulness. At the APIStrat 2016 conference, discussions highlighted the resurgence of SDKs, moving beyond the debate of their necessity to explore effective integration strategies. Four main patterns for SDK provision emerged: provider-supported SDKs managed by the API vendor, community-contributed SDKs which may lack consistent maintenance, consumer-driven SDKs that allow developers to generate their own libraries using API definition formats, and direct HTTP usage, favored by those familiar with HTTP protocols. The choice of whether to offer an SDK or rely on well-documented APIs depends largely on understanding the target audience and their preferences, with the mobile sector showing particular affinity for SDKs. Ultimately, starting with comprehensive documentation and a flexible approach can guide the development of SDKs tailored to specific programming languages when the provider is ready to support them.