The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source Observing the power of APIs (Interview)
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Nov 2, 2023 In this discussion, Jean Yang, founder of Akita Software and now with Postman, dives into the crucial role of APIs in software development. She highlights the common struggles developers face due to inadequate tools for dealing with APIs. The conversation also tackles debugging challenges, the evolution of API observability, and why smaller developers often get left behind by tools designed for big companies. Yang calls for a rethinking of how APIs are integrated and monitored, stressing the importance of understanding user needs in the rapidly changing tech landscape.
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API Complexity in Production
- Developers struggle to understand production systems due to the rise of SaaS and APIs.
- Akita aimed to provide developers with quick insights into their API operations.
Akita's Acquisition by Postman
- Akita's API-centric approach aligned with Postman's vision, leading to acquisition discussions in 2021.
- Jean Yang initially declined, focusing on product development, but later joined Postman in 2023 for a larger platform.
User-Focused Development
- Jean Yang prioritized user needs over building an independent company, leading her to join Postman.
- Developer tools innovation often comes from larger companies, making acquisitions a viable path.