MuleSoft recommends a full lifecycle API development approach which includes several phases such as design, implementation, testing, deployment, and management. During the API implementation phase, the primary activity is to use the API specification to build the MuleSoft application. Here's a detailed explanation:
API Design:
Create API Specification: Initially, an API specification is created using RAML or OAS (OpenAPI Specification) to define the API's structure, endpoints, request/response formats, and security requirements.
API Implementation:
Build Mule Application: Using the API specification as a blueprint, the development team implements the MuleSoft application. This involves creating flows, integrating with backend systems, and ensuring the API functions as specified.
APIKit: MuleSoft provides APIKit, a tool that automatically generates Mule flows based on the API specification, speeding up the development process.
Testing: During implementation, unit tests (using MUnit) and integration tests are created to ensure the API behaves as expected.
Validation and Monitoring:
Validate Against Specification: Throughout the implementation phase, the API is continuously validated against the original specification to ensure compliance.
Deployment and Monitoring: Post-implementation, the API is deployed, and tools like Anypoint Monitoring are used to monitor its performance and usage.
MuleSoft Documentation: Full Lifecycle API Management
APIKit: Building APIs with APIKit