undocumented API
[/ˌʌndɑːkjuˈmɛntəd ˌeɪ piː ˈaɪ/]
nounpl: undocumented APIs
API não documentada
1. A software interface that allows applications to communicate with each other but lacks official documentation, making it difficult for developers to understand its functionality, parameters, or expected behavior
The developer had to reverse-engineer the undocumented API to understand how to integrate it with their application.
O desenvolvedor teve que fazer engenharia reversa da API não documentada para entender como integrá-la com seu aplicativo.
2. An interface whose functionality exists but is not officially supported or explained by the software provider, often resulting in instability or breaking changes
Using an undocumented API is risky because the vendor may change it without notice.
Usar uma API não documentada é arriscado porque o fornecedor pode alterá-la sem aviso prévio.
This is technical jargon commonly used in software development communities in both Brazil and the USA. In Brazilian tech culture, developers often prefer documented APIs but may use undocumented ones out of necessity. In the USA startup culture, using undocumented APIs is sometimes seen as a shortcut or hack. The term reflects the tension between rapid development and code maintainability in modern software engineering.
NYC Slang
sketchy API / under-the-table API (colloquial, not standard)
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