{
    "version" : "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1",
    "content" : "news",
    "type" : "single",
    "title" : "Resources and Tools for APIs |Digital.gov",
    "description": "Resources and Tools for APIs",
    "home_page_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/cm-topics-button-component/","feed_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/cm-topics-button-component/2013/03/12/resources-and-tools-for-apis/index.json","item" : [
    {"title" :"Resources and Tools for APIs","summary" : "Hosted API Tools Labs.Data.gov is a repository of shared services to prototype and provide developer resources to government agencies. Each tool uses Web services and lightweight, open source code to provide powerful functionality. Agencies are encouraged to improve any project and submit pull requests in order to share the improvements with others. API Standards Template With the open","date" : "2013-03-12T12:41:05-04:00","date_modified" : "2024-04-02T09:45:13-04:00","authors" : {"gray-brooks" : "Gray Brooks"},"topics" : {
        
            "application-programming-interface" : "Application programming interface",
            "software-engineering" : "Software Engineering"
            },"branch" : "cm-topics-button-component",
      "filename" :"2013-03-12-resources-and-tools-for-apis.md",
      
      "filepath" :"news/2013/03/2013-03-12-resources-and-tools-for-apis.md",
      "filepathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/blob/cm-topics-button-component/content/news/2013/03/2013-03-12-resources-and-tools-for-apis.md",
      "editpathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/edit/cm-topics-button-component/content/news/2013/03/2013-03-12-resources-and-tools-for-apis.md","slug" : "resources-and-tools-for-apis","url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/cm-topics-button-component/2013/03/12/resources-and-tools-for-apis/","content" :"\u003ch2 id=\"a-namehosted-api-toolsahosted-api-tools-hahahugoshortcode1597s0hbhb\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"hosted-api-tools\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHosted API Tools \u003cdiv class=\"image\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg\n    src=\"https://s3.amazonaws.com/digitalgov/_legacy-img/2014/08/250-x-86-API-letter-blocks-23575697-Hemera-Technologies-PhotoObjects.net-Thinkstock-87667306.jpg\"\n    alt=\"Children\u0026#39;s building blocks letters spelling A P I.\"/\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://labs.data.gov/\"\u003eLabs.Data.gov\u003c/a\u003e is a repository of shared services to prototype and provide developer resources to government agencies. Each tool uses Web services and lightweight, open source code to provide powerful functionality. Agencies are encouraged to \u003ca href=\"http://labs.data.gov/\"\u003eimprove any project\u003c/a\u003e and submit pull requests in order to share the improvements with others.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"a-nameapi-standards-templateaapi-standards-template\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"api-standards-template\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAPI Standards Template\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the open source release of the \u003ca href=\"https://github.com/WhiteHouse/api-standards\"\u003eWhite House’s API Standards template\u003c/a\u003e, agencies have a complete model for API design and best practices that includes the best practices and agreed–upon norms of the developer community. Agencies are encouraged to \u003ca href=\"https://github.com/WhiteHouse/api-standards\"\u003euse these standards\u003c/a\u003e for their own API production, modifying them as needed, but otherwise normalizing their APIs with those of other agencies and the private sector.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"a-nameexamples-apis-governmentaexamples-of-apis-in-government\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"examples-apis-government\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eExamples of APIs in Government\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAPIs That Power Agency-Built Mobile Apps—\u003ca href=\"http://tools.cdc.gov/syndication/api.aspx\"\u003eCDC’s Content API\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"http://www.census.gov/developers/\"\u003eCensus Bureau economic APIs\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https://mobile.fmcsa.dot.gov/developer/home.page\"\u003eFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s SaferBus API\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAPIs That Power Agency Websites—\u003ca href=\"http://www.usa.gov/About/developer-resources/social-media-registry.shtml\"\u003eGSA’s Social Media Registry API\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"http://www.broadbandmap.gov/developer\"\u003eFCC’s National Broadband Map APIs\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingle Endpoint API Set—\u003ca href=\"http://developer.dol.gov/\"\u003eDepartment of Labor\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWebsite Content APIs—\u003ca href=\"http://tools.cdc.gov/syndication/api.aspx\"\u003eCDC\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"http://www.fcc.gov/developers/fcc-content-api\"\u003eFCC\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"http://www.sba.gov/about-sba-info/140931\"\u003eSBA\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor more examples, note the individual APIs \u003ca href=\"https://github.com/GSA/slash-developer-pages#readme\"\u003ewithin agency’s developer hubs\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"a-nameapi-education-seriesaapi-education-series\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"api-education-series\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAPI Education Series\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAPIs for Dummies—An Introduction to APIs\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Studies from the FCC, FAA, and Department of Labor\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Studies from the Federal Register, NASA, and GSA\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdvanced Operations—Contracting, Legal, and IT Security\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdvanced Technical Overview—Formats, Keys, Analytics\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAPIs and the Digital Government Strategy\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearn How to Use and Create APIs\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAPI Standards from the White House\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"a-namecase-studiesacase-studies\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"case-studies\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eCase Studies\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://s3.amazonaws.com/digitalgov/_legacy-img/2014/01/cdc-content-services-api.docx\" title=\"CDC case study\"\u003eCenters for Disease Control \u0026amp; Prevention\u003c/a\u003e (Word document, 20.93 KB, 2 pages, November 2012)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/2012/11/19/case-study-how-dol-created-software-development-kits-sdks/\" title=\"Case Study: How DOL Created Software Development Kits - SDKs\"\u003eDepartment of Labor—Software Development Kits (SDKs)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.federalregister.gov/uploads/2012/11/FR2-API-Case-Study1.pdf\"\u003eFederal Register\u003c/a\u003e**** (PDF, 218 KB, 3 pages, November 2012)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/cm-topics-button-component/2012/11/19/case-study-how-gsa-launched-social-media-registry/\" title=\"Case Study: How GSA Launched Social Media Registry\"\u003eGeneral Services Administration—Social Media Registry\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/cm-topics-button-component/2012/07/16/healthfinder-gov-api/\" title=\"Healthfinder.gov API\"\u003eHealthFinder.gov\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/National%20Broadband%20Map%20Wilson%20Center%20Case%20Study.pdf\"\u003eNational Broadband Map\u003c/a\u003e (PDF, 4.6 MB, 56 pages, September 2012)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://developer.nrel.gov/api-case-study/\"\u003eNational Renewable Energy Laboratory\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"a-namehow-to-make-apis-overviewahow-to-make-apisan-overview\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"how-to-make-apis-overview\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHow to Make APIs—An Overview\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are several different ways to generate APIs that range in complexity and functionality. This \u003ca href=\"/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/cm-topics-button-component/2013/03/12/how-to-make-apis-an-overview/\" title=\"How to Make APIs—An Overview\"\u003eprimer\u003c/a\u003e provides a general overview of the different methods.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"a-nameapi-release-kitaapi-release-kit\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"api-release-kit\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAPI Release Kit\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest practices around API production have agreed on a number of common elements which strongly benefit an API and warrant inclusion in the release whenever possible. The \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/2013/05/16/api-release-kit/\" title=\"API Release Kit\"\u003eAPI release kit\u003c/a\u003e provides an outline of these components along with options for each functionality.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"a-namedeveloper-kitadeveloper-kit\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"developer-kit\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e/Developer Kit\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGovernment agencies are increasingly being called upon to provide a central hub by which developers can discover what APIs the agency offers and to find more information on each. The critical elements of these hubs are an agency-wide catalog of APIs, Terms of Service, and means of public engagement. However, by including further common elements, you can provide a more robust and successful developer user experience. The \u003ca href=\"/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/cm-topics-button-component/2013/05/21/developer-kit/\"\u003e/developer kit\u003c/a\u003e provides an outline of these components.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"a-nameproducing-apis-through-datagovaproducing-apis-through-datagov\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"producing-apis-through-data.gov\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eProducing APIs through Data.gov\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne method by which agencies can offer Public APIs is by leveraging the power of interactive datasets on Data.gov. This \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/2013/04/30/producing-apis-through-data-gov/\" title=\"Producing APIs through Data.gov\"\u003eguide\u003c/a\u003e provides a process, template, and example agencies can follow to accomplish this.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"a-namegovernment-api-listservaus-government-apis-listserv\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"government-api-listserv\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eU.S. Government APIs Listserv\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003ca href=\"https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/us-government-apis\"\u003epublic listserv\u003c/a\u003e serves as a forum for questions, ideas, news, and collaboration around government API production and is \u003ca href=\"https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/us-government-apis\"\u003eavailable\u003c/a\u003e to anyone who works or wants to learn more about APIs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"a-namerecommended-readingarecommended-reading\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"recommended-reading\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eRecommended Reading\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"basics\"\u003eBasics\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://blog.aids.gov/2012/04/open-data-in-action-what-is-an-api.html\"\u003eWhat is an API?\u003c/a\u003e—AIDS.gov\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://blog.aids.gov/2008/11/introduction-to.html\"\u003eIntroduction to Mashups\u003c/a\u003e—AIDS.gov\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://apievangelist.com/\"\u003eAPIs 101\u003c/a\u003e —APIEvangelist\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://apievangelist.com/2011/03/07/api-area--common-building-blocks/\"\u003eCommon Building Blocks\u003c/a\u003e—APIEvangelist\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.healthdata.gov/blog/making-information-more-accessible-digital-government-strategy\"\u003eMaking Information More Accessible\u003c/a\u003e—HHS\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/egov/digital-government/digital-government.html\"\u003eDigital Government Strategy\u003c/a\u003e—OMB\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.quora.com/APIs/How-hard-is-it-to-make-an-API\"\u003eHow Hard Is It To Make An API?\u003c/a\u003e—Quora\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_service\"\u003eWeb Service\u003c/a\u003e—Wikipedia\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"managing-apis-and-promoting-developer-adoption\"\u003eManaging APIs and Promoting Developer Adoption\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://apievangelist.com/2012/01/12/the-secret-to-amazons-success-internal-apis/\"\u003eThe Secret To Amazon’s Success: Internal Services\u003c/a\u003e—APIEvangelist\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://blog.programmableweb.com/2010/03/31/7-ways-to-make-your-api-more-successful/?utm_source=feedburner\u0026amp;utm_medium=feed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+ProgrammableWeb+(ProgrammableWeb:+Blog)\u0026amp;utm_content=Google+Reader\"\u003e7 Ways To Make Your APIs More Successful\u003c/a\u003e—NPR\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://blog.programmableweb.com/2012/08/03/top-10-api-worst-practices/\"\u003eTop 10 Worst API Practices\u003c/a\u003e—ProgrammableWeb\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://seabourneinc.com/2012/07/12/things-api-developers-need-from-your-website/\"\u003eThings API Developers Need From Your Website\u003c/a\u003e—Seabourne Inc\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/11/5-rules-for-api-management/\"\u003e5 Rules for API Management\u003c/a\u003e—TechCrunch\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"the-role-of-apis-in-government\"\u003eThe Role of APIs in Government\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://apievangelist.com/2012/06/02/thoughts-for-federal-agencies-about-to-deploy-web-apis/\"\u003eThoughts for Federal Agencies About To Deploy Web APIs\u003c/a\u003e—APIEvangelist\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://ben.balter.com/open-source-for-government/#github\"\u003eGitHub in Government\u003c/a\u003e—BenBalter.com\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://ben.balter.com/2012/06/02/publishing-government-data-that-developers-will-actually-use/\"\u003ePublishing Government Data That Developers Will Actually Use\u003c/a\u003e—BenBalter.com\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://civic.io/2012/02/23/get-opengovernmentapis/\"\u003eGET /open/government/apis\u003c/a\u003e—Civic.io\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://blog.programmableweb.com/2009/03/04/realizing-transparency-through-federal-government-apis/?utm_source=feedburner\u0026amp;utm_medium=feed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+ProgrammableWeb+(ProgrammableWeb:+Blog)\u0026amp;utm_content=Google+Reader\"\u003eRealizing Transparency Through Federal APIs\u003c/a\u003e—ProgrammableWeb\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://blog.programmableweb.com/2009/05/14/using-mashups-to-create-a-more-efficient-government/?utm_source=feedburner\u0026amp;utm_medium=feed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+ProgrammableWeb+(ProgrammableWeb:+Blog)\u0026amp;utm_content=Google+Reader\"\u003eUsing Mashups to Create More Efficient .Gov\u003c/a\u003e—ProgrammableWeb\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.pwc.com/us/en/technology-forecast/2012/issue2/download.jhtml\"\u003eThe Business Value of APIs\u003c/a\u003e—PricewaterhouseCoopers\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/2012/03/21/government-do-you-really-need-an-api/\"\u003eGovernment—Do You Really Need An API?\u003c/a\u003e—Sunlight Foundation\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n"}
  ]
}