Now available in paperback-- You might think more than enough design books exist in the programming world already. In fact, there are so many that it makes sense to ask why you would read yet another. Is there really a need for yet another design book? In fact, there is a greater need than ever before, and Practical API Design: Confessions of a Java Framework Architect fills that need! * Teaches you how to write an API that will stand the test of time * Written by the designer of the NetBeans API at Sun Technologies * Based on best practices, scalability, and API design patterns What you'll learn * What an API is and what the theories are behind good API design * When and why to build an API * API design patterns applicable to all programming languages, especially modern, object--oriented languages * How to optimize and test APIs Who this book is for This book is recommended to every API architect who prefers a bit more engineering design over a purely artistic one. Table of Contents * The Art of Building Modern Software * The Motivation to Create an API * Determining What Makes a Good API * Ever-Changing Targets * Do Not Expose More Than You Want * Code Against Interfaces, Not Implementations * Use Modular Architecture * Separate APIs for Clients and Providers * Keep Testability in Mind * Cooperating with Other APIs * Runtime Aspects of APIs * Declarative Programming * Extreme Advice Considered Harmful * Paradoxes of API Design * Evolving the API Universe * Teamwork * Using Games to Improve API Design Skills * Extensible Visitor Pattern Case Study * End-of-Life Procedures