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Even a simple API if it needs maintenance over time should be outsourced. Examples include geolocation API. You could build one now but it needs to be constantl
by njsubedi 7y ago
Even a simple API if it needs maintenance over time should be outsourced. Examples include geolocation API. You could build one now but it needs to be constantly updated. Other example is an image processing API that gets better over time. I usually only build a DIY version of existing APIs when I'm absolutely sure that I don't have to look back at it frequently.
- ThePhysicist 7y agoThat makes sense! How do you justify the buying of an API financially? Do you compare total cost of ownership of an outsourced solution with the cost of building and maintaining it? Does control/risk factor into your decisions? I mean when working with an external provider there's always the risk that the API will go down and disrupt your service. Do you have any criteria to evaluate the trustworthiness of a provider?
- amelius 7y agoWhy would you use a geolocation API in the first place? Nowadays there are better ways to find the location of the user, and they also respect user privacy more.
- ThePhysicist 7y agoWhat would be a better way to get the location of the user without geolocating the IP? Do you mean the HTML geolocation facilities (https://developer.mozilla.org/de/docs/Web/WebAPI/verwenden_von_geolocation https://developer.mozilla.org/de/docs/Web/WebAPI/verwenden_v...)?
- amelius 7y agoYes! But for example smartphone OSes have their own ways of doing the same.