What APIs Can Tell You About a Product
http://asserttrue.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-apis-can-tell-you-about-product.html

assertTrue
2009

Abstract:

I always try to get a look at a vendor's APIs before (or in the process of) evaluating a product. And I recommend you do, too. If you are involved in a product-selection effort, get input from your developers -- have them evaluate APIs as part of the product-evaluation process. Don't wait until after the deal is inked to find out whether the product's APIs are so problematic that your rollout schedule might have to undergo serious changes.