API management is the process of publishing, promoting and overseeing application programming interfaces (APIs) in a secure, scalable environment. It also includes the creation of end user support resources that define and document the API.
The goal of API management is to allow an organization that publishes an API to monitor the interface’s lifecycle and make sure the needs of developers and applications using the API are being met.
API management software can be built in-house or purchased as a service through a third-party provider like Apigee, Mashery, 3Scale or IBM BlueMix. API management software tools typically provide the following functions:
- Automate and control connections between an API and the applications that use it.
- Ensure consistency between multiple API implementations and versions.
- Monitor traffic from individual apps.
- Provide memory management and caching mechanisms to improve application performance.
Protect the API from misuse by wrapping it in security procedures and policies.
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