API or SDK https://www.varnidigital.in/latest-update/home-automation-product-integration-awareness-of-s/1061 Do you have to choose between SDK and API? No—in fact, as noted above, an SDK often contains at least one API. These two help you in different ways but can and do work together. APIs, again, serve to define how different platforms work together. They facilitate interaction through specifications (protocols); and as facilitators, they serve as one of the tools in a complete kit. SDKs are the complete kit. They go beyond facilitation (though they include it) to provide everything for building new software for a specific platform or programming language. For a further breakdown on the relationship between SDKs and APIs, check out this video: API vs. SDK: What is the Difference? Challenges and how to address them The overwhelming sentiment when it comes to leveraging SDKs and APIs is that they make developing software applications easier and more cost-effective. They’re about as common to developers as email and chat platforms are to any business team. That being said, there are some notable challenges that come with using APIs and SDKs. One challenge involves security breaches. Patchwork software development can result in unintended loopholes that can potentially expose personal information of users. There have even been cases of rogue SDK developers shopping around (and sometimes successfully propagating) SDKs capable of fraudulent activity, unbeknownst to the programmers using them. For this reason, it is key for teams of all sizes to vet their providers and keep security on their radar throughout the development cycle. Another challenge specific to SDKs has been the frequency of updates. When a development house has to support multiple versions of an SDK, it can cause synchronicity issues between that SDK and any APIs and backend systems is uses. In order to avoid end-user issues and security breaches, DevOps teams need to keep a close eye on versioning. Availability is top-of-mind for most development houses—but having control over those development tools is equally critical.