Support experiments and use

Deploying APIs directly in the production environment is often risky and challenging. This is why it is important to provide an open test version that facilitates deployment.

Many APIs process personal data, and for data protection purposes, access to such data must be strictly limited. This makes developing and testing an API that processes personal data more challenging.

In addition to APIs that process personal data, a separate test API using synthetic or anonymised data should be offered. While synthetic data are artificially created, they statistically resemble real data.

Publishing data as a file makes it easier to use. When data are distributed in file format (such as CSV or Excel), testing and trialling them will be quick and easy.

If the data prove useful, they can later be retrieved and accessed through the API. This is particularly important in the context of open data, such as data held by the public sector, which benefit the general public.

The Directive on open data and the reuse of public-sector information also encourages publication as a file and lists high added value datasets.

Read more about the EU directive on open data and the reuse of public-sector information (EUR-Lex).Opens in a new window.