APIs and Complexity
summary
Argues that APIs are deliberately designed boundary systems that turn software into evolving complex adaptive systems, not just a productivity tool. Uses developer portals and a programmable information layer to shift interconnection from humans to machines, and relies on four measurable properties—interconnectedness, interdependence, adaptiveness, diversity—plus Ross Ashby’s law of requisite variety. Claims deliberate complexity becomes hard-to-replicate value when balanced against efficiency.
AI-written summary · about
chapters (11)
- 0:00Intro
- 2:24Introduction
- 2:56What is API Complexity
- 7:38Understanding Complexity
- 10:01Stacey Matrix
- 11:49Four types of systems
- 13:57Law of recursive variety
- 15:18Living systems
- 18:01Apis
- 19:03Complexity
- 20:15Conclusion
related talks
38mHow APIs Change Software Development
23mLeverage APIs to Transform Your Business Landscape
24mAPI as the powerful EA lighthouse for a Composable Information System.
24mAs Software Eats the World, APIs Eat Software.
18mStrategically planning your API ecosystem model
33mDecoding Complexity:[...]
26mRevolutionizing Business with API-First Strategy: Key Insights
01h 01mAn Architect's Approach to API Strategies