Just post your questions and we'll help!
I have done extensive API creation and usage with micro-services and other environments. Others here have similar backgrounds.
If you use a micro-service, you aren't stuck with FMP ONLY but you can use FMP if you want, or stop using it later, and your logic will KEEP WORKING!
Don't be intimidated by those saying "setting up a micro-service is too hard".
Instead, check out the cool video below showing how easy it is (in just about 2 minutes) to create a starting point micro-service:
FMPDUDE-VIDEO: Creating a micro-service in a couple minutes (with FMP example)
A micro-service is a (usually) small REST-based program that listens on a port for Requests (GET, POST, ...).
You create methods (functions) that implement the programming functionality you need.
Key benefits of micro-services include:
FREE
(if Java, Java-Compiled) Service Code Runs .... EXTREMELY FAST
Uses industry standard protocols (HTTP verbs)
Allows any application that can issue HTTP verbs to use the service (Terminal, FMP, Firefox, Opera, Chrome,....)
Does not rely or need FileMaker (nor is FileMaker even required)
Can reside on any operating system (Linux, Mac, Win)
Can reside locally or anywhere on the Internet (Cloud Server, Linux Server, AWS, etc.)
Can be used by multiple programs (or even other services) at once
Supports multi-threaded/multi-processing (multiple-core) with declarative programming
One user or 10,000 users....FREE
No potentially costly FMP Plug-ins Needed (a service is not a plug-in)
No per-machine configuration needed as with plug-ins
NO restrictive FMP-only plug-in license agreements
High Interoperability with other programs
Enables you to tap into powerful modern languages
Easy to Learn
No need to "re-invent the wheel" in a proprietary FMP-only CF to duplicate existing tested/free library routines
Extremely powerful (get the full power of Java + free third-party libraries like Apache and others.)
Puts you in charge of the service code. Not a third party
Externalize loops in Java to keep loops out of extremely slow, relative to Java, FMP scripts
Email the service JAR file to others and they could use it right away (assuming Java installed, etc.)
Install the service as a regular Java web (REST) application (via WAR file install) to an existing application server like Tomcat
Service programming tools manage dependencies --- automatically
Offers high abstraction. The caller of the micro-service doesn't need to know any details how the micro-service code works.
Parameters can almost always be passed simply letting the micro-service handle translations or other messy details.
(Note: Most modern programming languages, including Java and Python, support micro-services.)