Introduction

This concept is addressed to developers who want to make use of Intershop's APIs.

Definition of API Types

There are two main types of API:

Service API - to connect to external systems
Customization/Extension API - to make changes within the system

Service API

This type of API is used to connect to external systems. This can be the integration of an external system, such as a payment service, or it can be the provisioning of services, such as the ICM REST API used to connect to the Rest-based Storefront (PWA).

The main subtypes of Service API are:

Front-end REST API for service provisioning
Backend (Managed) Service API for service integration
Import and export formats

A reference of the ICM REST API can be found here:

Overview - Intershop Commerce Management REST API

The creation of new REST resources is described here:

Overview - REST Web Service Framework

Information about existing backend service interfaces can be found here:

The creation of new service interfaces for a (Managed) Service and implementation is described here: Concept - Managed Service Framework.

Customization/Extension API

This type of API can be used to extend and customize the functionality within the Intershop application server, like modification of existing features or adding of new features.

Internally Commerce Management comprises 3 layers:

Application Layer
Business Layer
Platform Layer

Components in each layer can provide a certain set of Java API that can be used for customization and extension. All public API is contained in a Java package named capi or in subpackages of it. All other Java types are internal and must not be used.

The application layer provides additional pipeline extension points and template extension points. They are also treated as public API.

Currently, Commerce Management supports the overloading mechanism for Intershop software artifact types. Overloading may seem convenient at first, but it causes major migration problems in the long run.

Therefore, Intershop does not recommend using the overload mechanism. Instead, use extension points or, if not applicable, copy complete application cartridges to replace the original ones. Also see Overview - Application Framework.

API Rules

API Life Cycle

	Description
SEMANTIC	Since ICM 11, this API follows the rules of semantic versioning. The API can be changed in a compatible way in a minor version. Deprecations (annotated with "forRemoval") will be removed in the next major release.
EXPLICITE	These artifacts have their own lifecycle or version definition. Deprecated versions can only be removed in major product releases.

Kinds of API

	Service API (to connect to External Systems)				Customization/Extension API
	Service Consumer (integrate other services)			Service Provider
	(Managed) Service API	XML Import/Export	Product Data Feeds	REST API	Platform API	Business API	Application API
API Life Cycle Rules	SEMANTIC	EXPLICITE	EXPLICITE	EXPLICITE	SEMANTIC	SEMANTIC	SEMANTIC
Layer	Business	Business	Business	Application	Platform	Business	Application
Cartridge Types	bc_*	bc_*	bc_*	app_*	pf_*	bc_*	app_*
API Artifacts	Service interfaces (Java interfaces) meant to be used by the managed service framework	XML schemas used for import and export	Product data feed file formats	All REST resources in capi packages incl. HTTP verbs, response formats, etc.	Java Types in capi packages Java Extension Points	Java Types in capi packages Java Extension Points	Java Extension Points Pipeline Extension Points Template Extension Points Application specific extension/customization mechanisms
Documentation	Javadoc Confluence/ Knowledge Base for list of deleted artifacts.	Confluence/ Knowledge Base	Confluence/ Knowledge Base	Confluence/ Knowledge Base	Javadoc Extension Point Doc Confluence/ Knowledge Base for list of deleted artifacts Intershop Studio	Javadoc Business Object Extension Doc Extension Point Doc Confluence/ Knowledge Base for list of deleted artifacts Intershop Studio	Javadoc Extension Point Doc Confluence/ Knowledge Base for list of deleted artifacts Intershop Studio
Migration Tools	Intershop Studio	ETL			Intershop Studio	Intershop Studio	Intershop Studio

Disclaimer

The information provided in the Knowledge Base may not be applicable to all systems and situations. Intershop Communications will not be liable to any party for any direct or indirect damages resulting from the use of the Customer Support section of the Intershop Corporate Web site, including, without limitation, any lost profits, business interruption, loss of programs or other data on your information handling system.