What is FlowOn API
Introduction
FlowOn API stands out as an industry-leading no-code API generator, seamlessly integrated with Dynamics 365 and fully supporting both REST and Graph API specifications. This innovative tool is designed to revolutionize the way APIs are developed, especially in the context of Dynamics 365 environments.
At its core, FlowOn API drastically cuts down API development time - by up to 90% - by removing the need for custom or boilerplate code that is typically essential in classical API development. This significant reduction in development time is achieved through a user-friendly, recipe-based approach.
Functional consultants, even those without deep technical expertise in API development, can easily generate and configure APIs. This approach is not only time-efficient but also highly customizable, allowing for the creation of APIs that are precisely tailored to meet specific business requirements.
Figure 1: FlowOn API Project
Where We Stand: Development Today
In traditional architectures involving web or mobile applications integrated with Dynamics 365, the creation of REST or GraphQL APIs is predominantly undertaken by specialized individuals, commonly known as "backend developers." Before commencing the development of these APIs, it's imperative for the developer to grasp the nuances of Dynamics 365 customization, an area often overseen by a functional consultant.
Gaining this intricate insight can be particularly challenging due to various factors: scheduling conflicts, the intricacy of the customizations, and the potential pitfalls of informal knowledge transfer, especially in the absence of comprehensive documentation.
Moreover, backend developers must constantly adapt to the evolving modifications in Dynamics 365, ensuring that their code aligns seamlessly with the platform's customizations. These factors can culminate in prolonged implementation durations, project setbacks, and an increased propensity for application anomalies.
It's worth noting that functional consultants, given their profound familiarity with Dynamics 365 implementations, might be better positioned to develop these APIs. However, this would necessitate that they delve into coding, which may not align with their primary skill set. flowOn aims to address this distribution of roles, transitioning the responsibility from backend developers to functional consultants. Subsequent sections will elucidate the enhanced development landscape facilitated by flowOn.
Development: A Forward Look
In the modern development landscape, efficient API generation, whether GraphQL or REST, is crucial. flowOn has been designed to streamline this process for Dynamics 365, tailored to generate either API type depending on the specific request.
With the assistance of flowOn, a functional consultant is tasked with the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive set of configuration files. These files serve as the primary input to the flowOn engine. It is imperative for the functional consultant to possess an in-depth understanding of the user interface's requirements. This knowledge ensures that the configuration files are optimized to address specific needs, leading to a seamless integration between the back-end Dynamics 365 system and the front-end user interface.
Upon processing these configuration files, the flowOn engine dynamically generates either a GraphQL or REST API based on the outlined specifications. This generated API becomes an invaluable resource for UI developers. If it's a GraphQL API, developers can leverage the capabilities of GraphQL introspection to retrieve the schema. For REST, appropriate tools and methodologies can be employed. This schema or interface provides the foundational blueprint upon which web and mobile applications can be built, ensuring tight integration with the underlying Dynamics 365 platform.
A distinguishing feature of the flowOn system is its ability to drastically reduce development timelines. Preliminary assessments indicate that, through the use of flowOn, there's a potential reduction in development time by as much as 80%. This is largely attributable to the minimization or outright elimination of custom or boilerplate code typically associated with API creation.
Moreover, the modular nature of flowOn's configuration files ensures a high degree of flexibility. Any modifications made to these files are directly mirrored in the behavior and structure of the generated GraphQL or REST API. This dynamic system means that as new customizations or features are introduced to Dynamics 365, the functional consultant can swiftly update the configuration files to reflect these changes. Their primary responsibility, in this evolving ecosystem, remains the continuous update and optimization of these files to ensure synchronization with Dynamics 365's ever-evolving capabilities.
What's Next?
Having explored the intricacies of flowOn API Studio and its transformative impact on API development, our journey doesn't end here. The true magic lies in the mechanisms operating in the background. Let's delve deeper and unveil the inner workings of the API generator, shedding light on the processes that power its unparalleled efficiency.