API Observability and Building Trustworthy Software

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This chapter delves into the importance of API observability for ensuring the security and reliability of software systems. The speakers discuss the rise of APIs in the last decade, emphasizing the need for tools that accommodate the reality of building software with numerous interconnected APIs. They explore the concept of accepting the 'black box' nature of APIs and introduce the Akita agent, which uses BPF to monitor network traffic and API calls, providing valuable insights about API endpoint structure, errors, latency, and trends.

Jean Yang’s research on programming languages at Carnegie Mellon led her to realize that APIs are the layer that makes or breaks quality software systems. Unfortunately, developers are underserved by tools for dealing with, securing & understanding APIs.

That realization led her to found Akita Software, which led her to join Postman by way of acquisition. That move, at least in part, also led her to join us on this very podcast. We think you’re going to enjoy this interview, we sure did.

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