In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), several startups are making significant strides in harnessing the power of generative AI to simplify complex tasks. Among them, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Together AI have found a common ground in utilizing Stainless, a platform created by ex-Stripe staffer Alex Rattray. But what sets Stainless apart from other API-to-SDK generators? Let’s delve into the story behind this innovative solution.
From Economics to Code: The Journey of Alex Rattray
Alex Rattray’s journey into the world of coding began during his high school days, where he started an underground newspaper. At the University of Pennsylvania, Rattray studied economics while picking up programming on the side. This early exposure led him to a job at Stripe as an engineer on the developer platform team.
While working at Stripe, Rattray noticed a pressing issue – there was no efficient way for companies to build SDKs (Software Development Kits) for their APIs at scale. He explained to TechCrunch, "Handwriting the SDKs couldn’t scale… Today, every API designer has to settle a million and one ‘bikeshed’ questions all over again, and painstakingly enforce consistency around these decisions across their API."
The Birth of Stainless
Rattray’s solution was born out of necessity. He created Stainless, a platform that takes in an API spec and generates SDKs in various programming languages, including Python, TypeScript, Kotlin, Go, and Java. As APIs evolve and change, Stainless’ platform pushes those updates with options for versioning and publishing changelogs.
"API companies today have a team of several people building libraries in each new language to connect to their API," Rattray said. "These libraries inevitably become inconsistent, fall out of date, and require constant changes from specialist engineers. Stainless fixes that problem by generating them via code."
Stainless vs. Other API-to-SDK Generators
While there are other solutions like LibLab, Speakeasy, OpenAPI Generator, and others, Rattray claims that Stainless delivers more "polish" due to its use of generative AI.
"Stainless uses generative AI to produce high-quality SDKs, ensuring consistency across all languages," he explained. "Our platform streamlines the development process, saving time and resources for our clients."
A Growing Team: Expectations and Future Plans
With a current headcount of 15 in New York, Rattray expects his team to grow to 20 by the end of the year. As Stainless continues to gain traction, it’s clear that this innovative platform is revolutionizing API development with generative AI.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting story as we follow the journey of Alex Rattray and the team behind Stainless!
Related Topics:
- AI: Artificial intelligence is transforming industries at an unprecedented rate. From chatbots to predictive maintenance, AI is changing the way we live and work.
- API Development: APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are the backbone of modern software development. With the rise of mobile devices and cloud computing, API development has become a crucial aspect of building scalable applications.
- Enterprise Solutions: As companies navigate the complexities of digital transformation, they require innovative solutions to stay ahead of the competition. Stainless is one such enterprise solution that’s making waves in the industry.
Get the Latest Updates:
Subscribe to TechCrunch Daily News for the latest news and insights on AI, startup funding, and more!
