APIpohjaisia

APIpohjaisia is a Finnish term used to describe software and architectures that are built around or primarily provided through application programming interfaces (APIs). In Finnish IT discourse it is often used to contrast API-based designs with tightly coupled, monolithic systems. API-based design emphasizes modularity, interoperability and external integration.

Key features include well-defined API contracts and documentation, versioned interfaces, and robust API management. Common protocols and styles include REST, GraphQL, and gRPC. Security considerations are central, using OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, API keys, and rate limiting. Governance, monitoring, and developer experience are typical focus areas.

Benefits include modularity, easier reuse of components, faster integration with other systems, scalable architectures, and the enablement of ecosystems where third-party developers build on the platform. It supports continuous delivery and independent deployment of services.

Challenges involve maintaining consistent API quality across versions, ensuring security, performance, and reliability, managing dependencies on external APIs, and complexity of governance and compliance in large organizations.

Common domains include cloud platforms, SaaS ecosystems, fintech open APIs, and enterprise integration projects. API-based approaches are often associated with microservices architectures and API-first development, where the API is treated as a first-class product.