Model-driven Development of RESTful APIs

Abstract

We propose a model-driven approach for creating RESTful APIs. Today, REST APIs are developed by using frameworks and libraries that support software developers on the level of the chosen programming language, i.e., a lower level of abstraction. We argue that the development process can benefit from a model-driven approach, where an API is modeled on a higher level of abstraction by using a new formal language that was designed in particular for this application domain. From this model, the source code of the API is generated automatically, along with necessary code on the business logic and database layer. The benefits of this approach include higher productivity, better maintenance, higher quality, and documentation for free.

Model-Driven Integration Testingof Hypermedia Systems

“…We decided to tackle the challenges of RESTful API development with a MDSD approach. In 2015 we proposed Generating Mobile Applications with RESTful Architecture(GeMARA) [16]. Instead of a data-first approach which uses data models for creating an API, we went for an API-first approach which aims at a proper API design first which then automatically creates the underlaying database.…”