[.NET Conf 2023] Azure API Center and ASP.NET Web API Integration: A Developer’s Guide

Introduction

In the .NET Conf 2023 video, the speaker elaborates on the challenges faced by developers due to the rapid growth of web APIs, a phenomenon termed “API sprawl”. This refers to the widespread development and deployment of APIs across various services and platforms, leading to issues like lack of visibility and control for both API developers and managers. To address these challenges, the Azure API Center is introduced as a comprehensive solution.

Azure API Center Key Features:

1. Centralized API Inventory: Azure API Center serves as a centralized hub for all organizational APIs, irrespective of their deployment locations. This unified inventory aids in better organization and tracking of APIs.
2. API Governance: The platform enables enhanced governance through the use of metadata. API managers can store additional information about each API, such as the API approver’s contact details, cost centers, and compliance status, thereby enriching the data available for each API and aiding in better management.
3. API Discovery and Promotion: The Azure API Center not only centralizes API management but also promotes API discovery and reuse. This is intended to enhance developer productivity by making it easier to find and utilize existing APIs within an organization.

Demonstrations and Integrations:

• Integration with Visual Studio and Azure: The speaker demonstrates how an API, specifically a simple weather API developed in .NET, can be deployed to Azure and then easily integrated into the Azure API Center using command line commands. This process involves generating an OpenAPI specification and uploading it to the Azure API Center.
• API Center Portal: A key feature of Azure API Center is its portal, accessible to all stakeholders within an organization. It allows users to explore, manage, and interact with APIs. The video includes a demonstration of how to authorize users and control access to APIs through the portal.
• Visual Studio Code Extension: Highlighting the focus on developer experience, the Azure API Center’s integration with Visual Studio Code is shown. The extension allows developers to discover, describe, and interact with APIs directly within the IDE. This integration is particularly beneficial for large organizations with numerous APIs, as it simplifies the process of finding and working with relevant APIs.
• GitHub Co-Pilot Integration: The integration with GitHub Co-Pilot is demonstrated, showing how it aids in finding and describing APIs, thus streamlining the developer’s journey in building applications.
• Postman Integration: The video also showcases the integration with Postman, a popular tool for API testing. This integration is designed to provide a seamless experience for developers to test and interact with APIs without leaving their development environment.

Overall, the Azure API Center is presented as a comprehensive solution for managing the growing complexity and number of APIs in modern software development. Its focus on centralization, governance, and ease of discovery and integration positions it as a valuable tool for organizations looking to streamline their API management and enhance developer productivity.