The use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) is rapidly increasing within the government. They are crucial for exchanging data between systems and fit well with the ‘data at the source’ principle. Frank Terpstra of Geonovum talks about the importance of APIs and how the Golden API election encourages this.
APIs play an increasing role in sharing information between government organisations, citizens and companies. Terpstra: ‘An API allows you to retrieve data without copying it. The big advantage is that the data remains available at the source. This prevents the creation of different versions of data. And data always remains current and reliable.’
The rise of APIs within government
According to Terpstra, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) was one of the first government organisations to start using APIs in 2012. He continues: ‘The government started thinking seriously about using APIs in 2016. This followed earlier investments in other forms of data exchange, such as Digikoppeling based on SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol). This is a protocol that describes how web services communicate with each other or with client applications that call them. Although these standards worked well, APIs proved to be easier for developers to use. They also provide wider accessibility to data. The big breakthrough came in 2019 when the first version of the API strategy was adopted. This was also when Netherlands Standardisation Forum included the REST API design rules, part of this strategy, on its list of mandatory standards. This standard aims to standardise the use of APIs within the government and promote interoperability.’
Innovation in the spotlight
To further encourage the use of APIs, Geonovum introduced the Golden API in 2018. This award is given to the government organisation with the most successful and user-friendly API. ‘The Golden API aims to reward the quality of APIs. We also want to raise awareness of the importance of good documentation and broad accessibility,’ Terpstra explains.
In 2019, Netherlands’ Cadastre was the first organisation to win the award for their Basic Registration of Addresses and Buildings (BAG) API. Within a year, this API processed more data requests than through other ways of data exchange in the previous seven years. This was because the API had a wider reach and attracted different audiences.
The last winner was SURF (the ICT cooperative of Dutch education and research institutions) with its Open Education API. All universities can implement this API. As a student, this allows you to see the guest lecture offerings of all member universities in your university portal. And register for them. ‘In my time, you just had to know that another university had an interesting guest lecture. And then it took you 2 days to register. With this API, you can do that with 1 click,’ Terpstra says enthusiastically.
Data at the source
APIs are an important part of the government’s ‘data at source’ policy. This policy means that data is not copied but remains in its original location. APIs make it possible to retrieve or modify data without moving it.
Terpstra explains: ‘A REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface) works according to this principle. The data is not duplicated, but stays with the owner and can be accessed or modified there. By using APIs, governments can work more efficiently. They prevent data from becoming obsolete or being used incorrectly. You can easily combine different sources without physically merging the data. This principle is also supported by the Federated Data System, which removes technical barriers to data exchange. A list of APIs can be found at developer.overheid.nl.’
Future developments
The API strategy continues to evolve. Terpstra: ‘For example, a 2nd version of the REST API Design Rules is now available. More and more government organisations are signing the declaration of intent that accompanies the API strategy. This commits them to using API standards and working together within the API community. In the coming years, the focus will be on further stimulating API use within the government. This is mainly done by creating awareness among directors. ‘Directors do not need to know everything about APIs, but it is important that they understand why they are essential for modern government services,’ says Terpstra.