Unveiling Quality in API Management: A Systematic Mapping Study

The proliferation of APIs has underscored the critical role of API Management in modern software ecosystems. While API Management quality has been a topic of interest for the last decade, there haven't been studies to map this key area. The primary objective of this work was to examine the definitions, measurement methods, and evaluation criteria used to assess API Management software quality, with a particular emphasis on methodological perspectives, API Management capabilities and quality attributes. By conducting a systematic mapping study (SMS), we managed to find 21 studies conducted since 2000 to date. We analyzed and categorized these work from a methodological standpoint in several dimensions, such as research types, outcome types and validation methods. From the API Management and software quality perspectives, we identified main API Management capabilities and quality characteristics studied. We also identified the extent to quality models support current research. Findings suggest that current research landscape is heterogeneous and primarily centers around technical analysis and specific solution development. Key quality characteristics included performance efficiency, reliability, functional suitability, and security, encompassing various API Management capabilities according with current industry trends. Finally, threats to validity were addressed, and we identified research gaps to encompass future research.