Your software relies on a key third-party API. What will you do when it unexpectedly becomes deprecated?

When a key third-party API unexpectedly becomes deprecated, the first step is to assess the impact. Recently, while working with AWS Cognito, we faced its deprecation and quickly identified that many service layer functionalities were affected. Understanding the scope of the impact allowed us to prioritize our response and ensure critical services remained operational. This quick assessment helped us prevent significant disruptions and guided our next steps efficiently.

Implement an abstraction layer between your software and third-party APIs. This layer acts as a translator, decoupling your core logic from specific API implementations. When an API becomes deprecated, you only need to update the abstraction layer rather than rewriting large portions of your codebase. This approach not only eases the transition to new APIs but also allows for easier integration of multiple providers, enabling you to switch between them seamlessly or even run them in parallel for redundancy. Long-term, this strategy enhances your software's resilience and adaptability to ecosystem changes.

When a Salesforce application failed due to an API deprecation, I acted quickly to resolve the issue. I first confirmed the API's deprecation and informed stakeholders. Then, I researched and selected an alternative API, updated the application code, and tested the new integration thoroughly. After ensuring stability, I deployed the updated application and communicated the progress to all involved. This approach helped restore functionality and maintain smooth operations.

It's crucial to regularly monitor updates from the API provider and have contingency plans in place, such as alternative APIs or fallback mechanisms. Designing your software with modularity allows easier replacement of components, and maintaining thorough documentation and testing helps ensure smooth transitions. In my experience C4 model diagram can significantly aid in managing third-party API dependencies by providing a clear structure for designing and documenting your software architecture. Context diagram helps you understand how the API integrates with other systems, allowing you to plan for potential impacts.

Comece a explorar APIs ou soluções alternativas. Procure APIs que ofereçam funcionalidade semelhante. Se não houver substituições diretas disponíveis, considere se você pode criar a funcionalidade necessária internamente. E lembre-se, quando a API de terceiros desaparece, é como perder o Wi-Fi bem na hora de enviar um e-mail importante. Primeiro, você entra em pânico. Depois, começa a procurar desesperadamente por alternativas: hotspot do celular, roubar o Wi-Fi do vizinho, ou até considerar enviar um pombo-correio! E claro, você percebe que é hora de avaliar a infraestrutura: talvez seja hora de melhorar seu plano de dados ou fazer amizade com o vizinho. 😅📡

Vamos levar em consideração que você fez uma pesquisa de mercado e viu qual API te atenderia melhor... aqui, já sabemos que existem alternativas caso a sua caia!

Research alternative APIs that can replace the deprecated one. Look for APIs that offer similar functionality and align with your software requirements. Consider the option of building in-house solutions if suitable alternatives are not available. Evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of this approach

Engage with key stakeholders, including developers, product managers, and customers, to understand their requirements and preferences regarding the replacement API. This helps ensure that the chosen alternative aligns with business goals and user expectations.

To explore alternatives for a deprecated API: 1. Research Options: Look for new APIs or services offering similar functionality. 2. Compare Features: Evaluate the features, performance, and reliability of potential replacements. 3. Check Documentation: Review the documentation of alternatives to understand integration requirements. 4. Assess Costs: Consider the costs associated with each alternative, including licensing and usage fees. 5. Test Candidates: Conduct tests to ensure the alternatives meet your needs and integrate smoothly with your system. 6. Review Community Feedback: Check reviews or user experiences to gauge the reliability and support for each option.

Every transition involves different approaches, but you must mitigate major impacts, reduce downtime, keep everyone involved in the workflow updated about the decisions, and have a clear view of what will be changed and what will need to be tested. It's very important to avoid rushing these types of transitions, which is why having notification strategies is crucial for monitoring potential flaws and upcoming updates that might disrupt your service.

When a key third-party API is unexpectedly deprecated, a swift and structured transition plan is essential. Begin by reviewing the deprecation notice for timelines and recommended alternatives. Identify the API's critical functions within your software and assess the impact of its removal. Research and evaluate alternative APIs, considering compatibility, features, and community support. Create a migration timeline that aligns with the deprecation schedule, ensuring minimal disruption. Update your codebase, conduct thorough testing, and communicate changes with your team and users. Planning and executing a smooth transition ensures continuity and reliability of your software.

After selecting the alternative API, meticulously plan the migration. Develop a detailed migration plan with clear timelines and milestones. Allocate the necessary resources, including developers and testers, to work on the migration. Coordinate with all dependent teams and business units. Establish a validation process for the production environment and devise a contingency plan in case issues arise post-deployment.

To plan the transition from a deprecated API: 1. Develop a Strategy: Outline a clear plan for migrating to the new API, including timelines and milestones. 2. Set Priorities: Identify and prioritize components or features that need immediate attention. 3. Allocate Resources: Assign tasks and resources, including developers and testing teams, to handle the migration. 4. Define Testing Protocols: Establish testing procedures to validate the new API integration. 5. Communicate Changes: Inform stakeholders and users about the transition plan and its impact. 6. Prepare for Rollback: Develop a rollback plan in case issues arise during the transition.

Updating the codebase can be challenging when a third-party API needs to be changed. Automated tests, of course, facilitate the transition to a new API. However, to truly reduce the time spent on this replacement, the codebase must be adaptable to changes. This can be achieved through good design practices. If all integrated parts, such as third-party APIs or libraries, are hidden behind interfaces, changes to these integrations will be much easier. This is because the domain/business logic, typically the most complicated part of the software, is abstracted from third-party dependencies. This architectural design approach is known as Ports & Adapters or Hexagonal Architecture.

To update your codebase for a new API: 1. Modify Integrations: Replace calls to the deprecated API with the new API’s methods. 2. Adjust Data Handling: Update data formats and structures as required by the new API. 3. Refactor Code: Refactor code to accommodate changes in the API’s behavior or parameters. 4. Update Dependencies: Adjust any related dependencies or libraries to work with the new API. 5. Implement Error Handling: Add or revise error handling to address potential issues with the new API. 6. Verify Changes: Ensure all modifications are correctly implemented and functioning as expected.

Agora já na parte voltada a nível de projeto, sempre que vamos conusmir a API no código, não chame ela diretamente em todos os lugares... desenvolva uma camada de abstração - pode ser uma função ou algo que atenda melhor seu caso -, pois assim você altera em um único módulo. Outra coisa muito importante, seria contar com cache dos usuários pra manter a API pra te dar um tempo extra se caso ela fique indisponivel, existem muitas bibliotecas que fazem isso sem você precisar se preocupar tanto... como React Query, SWR, Apollo Client, Pinia, NgRx ....

Rigorous testing is essential to ensure the new implementation works seamlessly. Conduct thorough testing, including unit tests, integration tests, and user acceptance tests. Verify that the new API integrates correctly and performs as expected under various scenarios. Check out edge cases and potential issues that might arise from the transition. Involve QA teams and, if possible, a small group of end-users to beta test the updated software. This comprehensive testing phase helps identify and address any bugs or performance issues before the broader rollout.