Now available in paperback—
You might think more than enough design books exist in the programming world already. In fact, there are so many that it makes sense to ask why you would read yet another. Is there really a need for yet another design book? In fact, there is a greater need than ever before, and
Practical API Design: Confessions of a Java Framework Archi
tect fills that need!
Teaches you how to write an API that will stand the test of time
Written by the designer of the NetBeans API at Sun Technologies
Based on best practices, scalability, and API design patterns
What you’ll learn
What an API is and what the theories are behind good API design
When and why to build an API
API design patterns applicable to all programming languages, especially modern, object–oriented languages
How to optimize and test APIs
Who this book is for
This book is recommended to every API architect who prefers a bit more engineering design over a purely artistic one.
Table of Contents
The Art of Building Modern Software
The Motivation to Create an API
Determining What Makes a Good API
Ever-Changing Targets
Do Not Expose More Than You Want
Code Against Interfaces, Not Implementations
Use Modular Architecture
Separate APIs for Clients and Providers
Keep Testability in Mind
Cooperating with Other APIs
Runtime Aspects of APIs
Declarative Programming
Extreme Advice Considered Harmful
Paradoxes of API Design
Evolving the API Universe
Teamwork
Using Games to Improve API Design Skills
Extensible Visitor Pattern Case Study
End-of-Life Procedures