Data Contracts Are More Than Just APIs

This post extends the understanding of data contracts beyond just APIs, emphasizing their role in fostering collaboration between software and data teams. It highlights how established API practices like versioning, schema evolution, and compatibility levels can be applied to data streaming systems using Confluent Schema Registry. The post advocates for treating data consumers (data teams) as first-class citizens, necessitating negotiated schemas and avoiding direct database access. It reinforces the value of Schema Registry in enabling loose coupling and abstraction for data architectures, ultimately driving better business outcomes through improved collaboration.