stoney core: REST API (Technical Requirements and Implementation)

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REST API

  • The REST API will be implemented as a first-class citizen
    • It provides all the available functions and data to its clients
    • Serves as a data and business logic abstraction layer
  • The REST API will be implemented using HTTPS and REST principles
    • Clients are required to validate the certificate (at least via CA)
  • The REST API uses JSON as the primary data interchange format (serialization of data structures should be abstracted), other formats should be possible in the future.
  • Authentication via Basic HTTP-Auth
  • Multiple authentication methods can be added in the future (possibly Web-Server assisted):
    • X509 Certificate based authentication
    • Kerberos
    • API key with shared secret
    • Access tokens
    • OAuth
  • versioned API:
    • starting with one version number in the URI, for example: https://api.selfcare.com/v1/customer , corresponding to the major version in SemVer
    • minor version will be added via Request-Header-Field in future (as-needed)
  • All API calls need to be fully nonblocking. If an expensive call has to be made to a backend system, the client needs to be provided with a status URI which can be checked for the current status or preferably be notified via WebSockets.
  • Input validation must be performed for all data (validation of data happens twice: in the API and the client)
  • Meaningful error message will be presented to the client
  • All API functions are to be documented using an accepted documentation standard (doxygen (preferred), phpDocumentor or Sami)
  • The API will be based on existing, proven and tested open source modules and components, coming either from a framework are as stand alone implementations,


Why a REST API?

  • Separation and abstraction of presentation and business logic
    • Faster development/test cycles for business logic
    • Smaller development packages
  • Support for multiple clients with the same code base
    • HTML/JS/CSS for selfcare Web GUI
    • Command line interface for easy scripting
    • Integration into third party provisioning systems for resellers
  • Automatic testing of functionality
  • Base for responsive resp. Mobile First Web-Applications/-Design


Yii related API modules

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