What is RAML in MuleSoft?

API seems to be the buzzword in IT where business modernization is concerned and for all the good reasons. APIs bring a lot of advantages with themselves, including flexibility and adaptability to diversified customer demands. Using RAML to create APIs takes the game to a whole different level, enabling businesses to leverage reusable, readable, and standardized APIs on-demand.?

In this article, we have attempted to give you a clear understanding of RAML in Mulesoft to help you to create RAML-based APIs more efficiently.?

What is RAML in Mulesoft?

RAML or RESTful API Modeling Language is a YAML-based modelling language that describes RESTful APIs through a structured and clear format.?RAML in Mulesoft?is primarily used to make the end-to-end management of the API lifecycle easier and more dynamic.?

The language has a multitude of use cases and is capable of describing APIs that follow and do not follow all the REST rules. RAMl, however, can be used to do more, like generating documentation, implementing PAI consoles, etc.?

How to write RAML in Anypoint Studio?

The Mulesoft Anypoint platform can be used to write RAML. All you need to do is follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Sign up for the Mulesoft Anypoint Platform.

Step 2: Go to the ‘API Manager’ and click on it.

Step 3: Now, find the ‘Define API in API designer’ link under ‘API Definition’ on the new page and click on it.?

Step 4: Click on the ‘Add New API’.

Step 5: In the information box that appears, give a name to your API under ‘API name’ as per your choice, and name your API version under the ‘Version name’. You can also add further details about your API under the ‘API endpoint’ and ‘Description’, but they are not mandatory.

Step 6: Now, you will be directed to a page that shows ‘Project Explorer,’ ‘Editor,’ ‘Shelf,’ and the ‘API Console.’

Step 7: You can save, delete, or rename the existing RAML file.

Step 8: Add the RAML code.

Step 9: Activate the ‘Mocking Service’ in the upper right-hand corner.

Step 10: To run the RAML API definition, find the ‘Get’ on the ‘API Console’ and click on it. The response will automatically appear.?

And now it’s done! You have successfully written & defined RAML in the Anypoint Studio.?

Data types in RAML

To describe the data in the API more concisely, RAML has introduced the concept of data types that attribute certain rules to type declarations and enable easy validation of data against them. As such, data types in RAML can describe a wide variety of things, including a query parameter, a resource URO parameter, a request header, a request body, a response header, a response body, etc.?

The data type system of RAML is heavily borrowed from the Java classes and possesses additional features characteristic to expressive object-oriented programming languages like JSON Schema, XSD, etc. Data types in RAML are either built-in or custom and can be split into external, object, array, and scalar types.?

What is the use of RAML in Mulesoft?

Mulesoft implementation comes with many perks, and leveraging RAML through the Anypoint platform for easy management of APIs further adds to its benefits. Thanks to its reusability and simplicity, RAML in Mulesoft provides a powerful solution to define and build APIs rapidly and concisely.?

RAML can be used to build REST APIs on the Anypoint Platform, simultaneously allowing sharing across teams and fostering a design-first approach that makes comprehensive API management throughout its lifecycle streamlined and consistent. By leveraging Mulesoft’s?API management tools, you can take full advantage of RAML as a spec-driven development tool and incorporate the best practices of building & defining APIs.?

Parting thoughts?

RAML is an easy yet robust language for describing RESTful APIs. And with Mulesoft,?the scope of RAML?opens up more, empowering developers to accelerate API designing & building alongside end-to-end management. To get the best out of RAML in Mulesoft, however, you need experts who can guide you.?

At Eshia Solutions, we provide complete Mulesoft development services that assist your organization in its Mulesoft journey. Backed by a team of expert and certified Mulesoft consultants, we will equip your teams with the right tools and knowledge capable of leveraging RAML in Mulesoft to its full potential.?