API Stability Issues

The cluster revolves around debates on the risks of unstable APIs that change frequently, breaking third-party code and integrations, and whether providers should prioritize stability or rapid iteration.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Web Development
4,577
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#8137
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

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Keywords

GTOR SQL CVS WTF github.com ByteBuddy API CAN api apis change cvs designers language library versioning changes implement

Sample Comments

krapp • Mar 30, 2014 • View on HN

Well, they should have an API, then it wouldn't matter. Until they changed the API.

mikesickler • May 4, 2018 • View on HN

Of course it could have! No API is foolproof

andreasklinger • Apr 20, 2016 • View on HN

Wouldnt the only solution to "see if you code worked with changing apis" to either1) never change apis even if you were wrong or you have more opportunities or 2) know everything beforehand and implement the api perfect

daeken • Aug 16, 2010 • View on HN

In all likelihood, they wanted to be able to change the API as they see fit, and didn't want to have other people depending on an API that was changing rapidly. Can't fault them for that.

bityard • Feb 8, 2023 • View on HN

People might not care, but APIs do.

thatgerhard • Feb 13, 2018 • View on HN

And change the api the next day destroying all work done by said developers.

octacat • Dec 6, 2023 • View on HN

and they would break their API again

rimliu • Jun 18, 2017 • View on HN

I now have a lot to deal with API which was created by people sharing your view. It is a nightmare.

faddotio • Aug 26, 2013 • View on HN

This. The API and its feature set is liable to change. This isn't a broken promise because no promises were made.

Rafsark • May 18, 2022 • View on HN

Why is it a problem to use an API?