Useful, But Usable? Factors Affecting the Usability of APIs

Abstract

Software development today has been largely dependent on the use of API libraries, frameworks, and reusable components. However, the API usability issues often increase the development cost (e.g., time, effort) and lower code quality. In this regard, we study 1,513 bug-posts across five different bug repositories, using both qualitative and quantitative analysis. We identify the API usability issues that are reflected in the bug-posts from the API users, and distinguish relative significance of the usability factors. Moreover, from the lessons learned by manual investigation of the bug-posts, we provide further insight into the most frequent API usability issues.