Open API, also known as Swagger, is a widely used standard for defining REST APIs. Open API can be used to create a custom connector in Microsoft Power Platform to extend its capabilities and to enable it to connect with other services or applications. The PL-400 Microsoft Power Platform Developer exam tests a candidate’s ability to perform these tasks, among other things: developing, securing, and integrating components of a solution.
Extending an Open API definition or schema for a custom connector involves adding new paths, parameters, responses, and other elements, all of which helps to expand the functionality that’s provided by the connector.
Open API Definition
An Open API definition comprises several components including:
- Paths: Indicate the API endpoints.
- HTTP Methods: Represent the available HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, DELETE.
- Parameters: Depict the required input for a particular endpoint.
- Responses: Define the output that should be expected from the API call.
Steps to Extend an Open API Definition
If you want to extend your Open API definition for a custom connector, follow these steps:
- Create Interface Definitions: Describe the expected input/output formats using the “definitions” object in the OpenAPI. It allows you to design accurately how the data exchange should look like across your API endpoints.
- Define New API Path: Add new paths to an API by extending the “paths” object. For example, if you want to add a new User endpoint, you might add something like this to your Open API definition:
“/users”: {
“get”: {
“summary”: “Get Users”,
“description”: “Retrieve a list of users”,
“responses”: {
“200”: {
“description”: “Successful operation”,
“schema”: {
“$ref”: “#/definitions/UserArray”
}
}
}
}
- Add Parameters: API parameters can be added like paths in the Open API definition. You can define these parameters in the “parameters” object within the path.
“/users/{userId}”: {
“get”: {
“parameters”: [
{
“name”: “userId”,
“in”: “path”,
“required”: true,
“type”: “integer”
}
],
- Extend Responses: Different responses types can be added to the Open API definition. You can assign different schema definitions to represent the unique format of data returned in each response scenario.
It’s essential to remember that any changes you make should comply with the Open API Specification. In context of the PL-400 Microsoft Power Platform Developer exam, understanding how to adapt and extend APIs to suit specific use cases is essential, as API extensibility is a cornerstone of modern, integrated solution development. With these tools in hand, you are prepared to extend Open API definitions to create custom connectors, enhancing the capabilities of your Power Platform solutions.
Practice Test
True or False: Open API definition basically provides the details which are needed to understand about the Resource and its associated data types.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The OpenAPI Specification, formerly known as Swagger, defines a standard interface to RESTful APIs allowing both humans and computers to understand the service capabilities without any access to source code, documentation or inspection of network traffic.
Which of the following components are part of an Open API definition for a custom connector?
- A) Paths
- B) Definitions
- C) Responses
- D) None of the above
Answer: A, B, C
Open API definition includes Paths (which contains the information of URL paths), Definitions (it provides data types used in API), and Responses (this provides the details of HTTP responses).
True or False: While extending an Open API definition for a custom connector, the ‘Security Definitions’ component is not necessary.
- True
- False
Answer: False
The ‘Security Definitions’ component is required. It is used to define a security scheme that can be used by the operations.
Which of the following component in an Open API definition provides data types used in the API?
- A) Paths
- B) Definitions
- C) Responses
- D) Parameters
Answer: B) Definitions
‘Definitions’ in Open API provides data types that are required in the API.
In the context of a custom connector for an Open API, what is the function of the ‘Responses’ component?
- A) It dictates the URL paths.
- B) It quantifies the security parameters.
- C) It provides information on anticipated HTTP responses.
- D) It manages the operational parameters.
Answer: C) It provides information on anticipated HTTP responses.
The ‘Responses’ component of a custom connector for an Open API offers information on what the expected HTTP responses can be, helping to manage user expectation and system responses.
True or False: Extending an Open API definition for a custom connector in Power Platform has no relation to Microsoft’s PL-400 exam.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Extending an Open API definition for a custom connector is one of the topics covered in the Microsoft Power Platform Developer (PL-400) exam.
True or False: Power Automate supports using OpenAPI definition for custom connector.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Power Automate allows the use of OpenAPI definitions for the creation of custom connectors that offer bridge connections between different services.
Which of the following components of Open API definition provides the description of API’s functionalities?
- A) Info
- B) Tags
- C) Paths
- D) None of the above
Answer: A) Info
The ‘Info’ component of an Open API definition provides the information or general details about the API like its version, title and description of its functionalities.
What is the function of ‘Parameters’ in an Open API definition?
- A) Provide URL paths
- B) Describe the anticipated HTTP responses
- C) Define the input that each operation requires
- D) Provide general API information
Answer: C) Define the input that each operation requires
‘Parameters’ in an Open API definition define what inputs are needed for each operation carried out by the API.
True or False: All components in an Open API definition are necessary and mandatory while extending it for a custom connector.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Not all components of an Open API definition are mandatory. Certain parts like ‘Parameters’, ‘Responses’, ‘Info’ are generally included, others like ‘Tags’ could be deemed optional based on the nature of the API.
Interview Questions
What is an Open API definition in the context of a custom connector?
An Open API definition or specification (formerly Swagger) provides a standardized language-agnostic approach to describe RESTful APIs. It allows both computers and humans to understand the capabilities of a service without access to source code, documentation, or network traffic inspection.
What is a custom connector in Microsoft Power Platform?
A custom connector is a wrapper around a RESTful API that allows Power Platform to communicate with that API.
How do you extend an Open API definition for a custom connector?
You can extend an Open API definition through manual editing in the Power Platform environment or by using tools such as Swagger UI.
What is important to consider when extending an Open API definition?
It is important to ensure accurate API details, proper configurations, parameters, and responses.
What are the primary components of an Open API definition for a custom connector?
The primary components include the base URL of the API, paths (endpoints), operations (methods), parameters, and responses.
What benefits does extending an Open API definition provide?
Extending the Open API specification allows for better integration and operation of the custom connector, making it more effective in communication with the specific API.
What role does the response section play in an OpenAPI definition when creating a custom connector?
The response section in an Open API definition defines how the API responds to a specific request, the type of data it returns, and any possible status codes.
Why is it important to correctly define parameters in a custom connector’s Open API definition?
Correctly defined parameters are crucial as they decide what data the API expects and how it will be transmitted (in path, query, header, etc.).
How does Power Platform use the Open API definition for a custom connector?
Power Platform uses the Open API definition to understand how to interact with the source API and to generate the interface for creating and managing connections to the API.
Can you modify an existing custom connector’s Open API definition?
Yes, you can modify an existing Open API definition by going to the custom connector’s editing page in Power Platform. You are allowed to update the API details and test the operations before updating the custom connector.
What is the purpose of the paths section in an OpenAPI definition?
The paths section of an OpenAPI definition provides essential details about available endpoints of an API and the operations (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE etc.) that can be performed on them.
What elements are necessary to define an operation in an Open API definition for a custom connector?
To define an operation, you need to provide the operation type (such as GET, POST), the input parameter specification, and the expected response details.
What are the common challenges when extending an Open API definition for a custom connector?
Common challenges include mapping complex data types, handling authentication, and dealing with inconsistencies in the source API.
What is the common file format used for Open API definitions?
The Open API specification is commonly written in either JSON or YAML format.
Can you implement security definitions in an Open API definition for a custom connector?
Yes, security definitions like API key, HTTP basic authentication, and OAuth 2.0 can be implemented inside the Open API definition.
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