Unit 21 Application Program Interfaces (L/618/7434) Assignment Brief 2026

Unit 21 Application Program Interfaces Assignment Brief 2026

Introduction

Many applications in use today are a composite of other software. This is true of an application, be it web based, mobile or on a desktop where the functionality of one is taken and used to build on. Think of an application that locates nearby restaurants – this may utilise an already existing map service as its basis. Or a game application that enables players to invite other players to chat and post high scores to social media, all within the game environment. How an application interacts with another is through an Application Program Interface (API).

Typically, APIs consist of methods and tools that are developed by the software author and which can provide services and functionality to other application developers without having to ‘reinvent the wheel’. Existing APIs provide a huge range of functionality that can be integrated into an application by following the rules of the relevant API. One of the benefits in using APIs is access to existing and proven services that can help speed up development and help standardisation.

The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the nature of APIs by developing a proof-of-concept application that utilises existing APIs for common tasks, such as communication, displaying interactive visuals, audio playback and handling a range of user inputs. Among the topics included in this unit are identifying what an API is and the need for APIs; types of APIs; application design and development utilising relevant APIs in a suitable development environment; testing of the application; and a critical review of the APIs used.

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to identify and select relevant APIs to use in an application from a given scenario. They will also be able to test and document the results against the initial design requirement. As a result, students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit students will be able to:

LO1 Examine the role of an API and its suitability for a given scenario

LO2 Design a solution that extends an existing application using relevant APIs for a given scenario

LO3 Implement an application in a suitable development environment based on a designed solution

LO4 Test an API developed for a given scenario to determine security vulnerabilities.

Essential Content

LO1 Examine the role of an API and its suitability for a given scenario

Principles and uses of APIs:

Research existing APIs, their role and the need for an API.

Identify types of API uses, e.g. visual, social media, device manipulation.

Evaluate suitable APIs for use in an application (web/mobile/desktop) for a given scenario.

Examine security issues of APIs, e.g. inefficient coding, inadequate authentication and authorisation.

LO2 Design a solution that extends an existing application using relevant APIs for a given scenario

Design of APIs:

Investigate an existing application and identify ways that it could be extended, e.g. adding social media integration, linking to a webstore/payment handling; integrating stock control/stock levels with webstore, reactive layouts for different platforms.

Develop relevant wireframes diagrams, concept the design of the application.

Consider the application design/its purpose.

Consider the target platform (web/mobile/desktop). Identify the scope of the application.

Justify the selection/relevancy/purpose of the chosen APIs for the application.

Take the security of APIs into consideration.

LO3 Implement an application in a suitable development environment based on a designed solution

Utilise appropriate tools and techniques to develop an API solution:

Select suitable implementation processes to understanding the stages involved in development of APIs.

Consider the use of a suitable development environment.

Utilise tools and features available in a range of development environments for developing code and integrating APIs.

Utilise best practices for implementing the API.

LO4 Test an API developed for a given scenario to determine security vulnerabilities

Testing and evaluation:

Document the testing procedure carried out to satisfy the design requirements/purpose of application.

Apply structural testing techniques.

Apply common functional testing techniques to derive test conditions and test cases, e.g. Equivalence Partitioning, Boundary Value Analysis, Decision Table Testing and State Transition Testing.

Reflect on the application development process, including identifying the chosen API’s strengths, weaknesses, security concerns, ease of use and access to features within it.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Recommended Resources

Textbooks

Guinard, D. D. Trifa, V. M. (2016) Building the Web of Things. Manning Publications.

Pandian, P. (2018) Building Node.js REST API with TDD Approach. Independently published.

Spencer, T. et al. (2015) Securing the API Stronghold: The Ultimate Guide to API Security. 1st edn. Kindle. Amazon.

Links

This unit links to the following related units:

Unit 7: Software Development Lifecycles

Unit 22: Application Development.

Answer

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