API Discovery

In the early days of the web API movement (2005-2010), to find APIs, you went to ProgrammableWeb, which was the only site on the web that was exclusively dedicated to APIs. Discovery happened via the PW directory and constant stream of news and analysis from the space.

ProgrammableWeb is still relevant in 2013, but as the number of APIs grows, the directory model is not meeting the demand for finding the best of breed APIs that developers are needing to build web and mobile apps.

Among the API tech sector there is always discussion around the need for programatic discovery in API the API space. Something that uses a WADL-like approach to describing APIs, so that the next generation of API directories, IDEs and other systems can discover, understand, monitor and integrate with APIs--with less human involvement. In short, this vision hasn't been achieved.

API discovery has two sides, finding the APIs you need and having your API be found. As part of API Evangelist, I'd like help pay attention to both sides of this coin, and bring together the best news, analysis, tools and services for API Discovery.

Companies