how to design a good api and why it matters

http://www.open-open.com/doc/view/ceee1d75382f4bbc93c8a8a2a98b4e52

Characteristics of a Good API

• Easy to learn

• Easy to use, even without documentation

• Hard to misuse

• Easy to read and maintain code that uses it

• Sufficiently powerful to satisfy requirements

• Easy to extend

• Appropriate to audience

General Principles

API Should Do One Thing and Do it Well

API Should Be As Small As Possible But No Smaller

Implementation Should Not Impact API

Minimize Accessibility of Everything

Names Matter–API is a Little Language

Documentation Matters

Effects of API Design Decisions on Performance are Real and Permanent

API Must Coexist Peacefully with Platform