What does API lifecycle management encompass?

API lifecycle management encompasses the entire process from development to retirement of an API. This includes several critical stages:

1. Planning: Defining the purpose and requirements of the API, which involves understanding what functionality is needed and who the target users are.

2. Design: Creating the API architecture, specifying how it should behave, what endpoints it will expose, and how it will interact with other systems.

3. Development: Writing the actual code for the API, along with necessary documentation and initial tests to ensure functionality.

4. Testing: This phase includes verifying that the API behaves as expected and meets the requirements outlined during planning. It involves performance testing, security testing, and ensuring compatibility with various clients or consumers.

5. Deployment: Making the API accessible to users, which might involve hosting it on a server and providing access through various means, such as a web portal.

6. Monitoring: Observing the API's performance in the wild, checking for issues, analyzing usage patterns, and ensuring that it continues to meet user needs efficiently.

7. Maintenance: Updating the API to fix bugs, improve performance, or add new features based on user feedback or changes in technology.