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1. What is API Design? An API (Application Programming Interface) allows two software systems to communicate with each other. API Design means structuring the way clients (apps, users, services) request and receive data. Good API design is essential for scalability, usability, security, and future growth. 2. Fundamental Principles of API Design "Good API design follows simplicity, clarity, consistency, and predictability." The four sacred principles: Simplicity: Keep APIs intuitive and minimal. Consistency: Maintain uniform naming, patterns, and conventions. Clarity: Make APIs readable and self-explanatory. Predictability: Clients should predict behavior based on structure. 3. Understanding REST Principles (Core Foundations) REST (Representational State Transfer) is the most common architecture for modern APIs. It relies on standard HTTP methods to interact with resources. Key Concepts: Term Meaning Resource Object (e.g., User, Order, Product) Endpoint URL where the resource can be accessed HTTP Methods GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE Stateless Each request must contain all the needed info Common REST HTTP Methods: Method Purpose GET Retrieve data POST Create a new resource PUT Update (replace) an existing resource PATCH Update (partial) a resource DELETE Remove a resource Tip: APIs should manipulate resources, not actions. Bad Example: POST /createUser Good Example: POST /users 4. API Versioning (Prepare for the Future) Never design an API without planning versioning. It allows you to update APIs without breaking existing clients. Common Versioning Strategies: Strategy Example URL versioning GET /api/v1/users Header versioning Accept: application/vnd.api.v1+json Query parameter /api/users?version=1 Best Practice: Use URL versioning. It is clear, simple, and cache-friendly. 5. URL Design Best Practices (Clear and Consistent) Your URL should speak clearly what it serves. Rules: Use nouns, not verbs: /users, /orders Use plural names: /products not /product Nest logically: /users/{userId}/orders Use hyphens not underscores: /user-profile Keep URLs lowercase Examples: Purpose URL List all users GET /api/v1/users Retrieve a user GET /api/v1/users/{userId} Create new user POST /api/v1/users Update user PUT /api/v1/users/{userId} Delete user DELETE /api/v1/users/{userId} 6. API Documentation Standards (Communicate Clearly) An undocumented API is a dead API. Good documentation allows developers to use your API without confusion. Professional Documentation Tools: OpenAPI Specification (Swagger) — Industry standard Postman API Docs Redoc Minimum Documentation Requirements: API Endpoints Request/Response Examples Status Codes and Error Responses Authentication Requirements Data Schemas (Fields, Types, Descriptions)

Apr 22, 2025 - 07:15
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1. What is API Design?

An API (Application Programming Interface) allows two software systems to communicate with each other. API Design means structuring the way clients (apps, users, services) request and receive data. Good API design is essential for scalability, usability, security, and future growth.

2. Fundamental Principles of API Design

"Good API design follows simplicity, clarity, consistency, and predictability."

The four sacred principles:

  • Simplicity: Keep APIs intuitive and minimal.

  • Consistency: Maintain uniform naming, patterns, and conventions.

  • Clarity: Make APIs readable and self-explanatory.

  • Predictability: Clients should predict behavior based on structure.

3. Understanding REST Principles (Core Foundations)

REST (Representational State Transfer) is the most common architecture for modern APIs.

It relies on standard HTTP methods to interact with resources.

Key Concepts:

Term Meaning
Resource Object (e.g., User, Order, Product)
Endpoint URL where the resource can be accessed
HTTP Methods GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE
Stateless Each request must contain all the needed info

Common REST HTTP Methods:

Method Purpose
GET Retrieve data
POST Create a new resource
PUT Update (replace) an existing resource
PATCH Update (partial) a resource
DELETE Remove a resource

Tip: APIs should manipulate resources, not actions.

Bad Example:

POST /createUser

Good Example:

POST /users

4. API Versioning (Prepare for the Future)

Never design an API without planning versioning.

It allows you to update APIs without breaking existing clients.

Common Versioning Strategies:

Strategy Example
URL versioning GET /api/v1/users
Header versioning Accept: application/vnd.api.v1+json
Query parameter /api/users?version=1

Best Practice: Use URL versioning. It is clear, simple, and cache-friendly.

5. URL Design Best Practices (Clear and Consistent)

Your URL should speak clearly what it serves.

Rules:

  • Use nouns, not verbs: /users, /orders

  • Use plural names: /products not /product

  • Nest logically:

    /users/{userId}/orders

  • Use hyphens not underscores: /user-profile

  • Keep URLs lowercase

Examples:

Purpose URL
List all users GET /api/v1/users
Retrieve a user GET /api/v1/users/{userId}
Create new user POST /api/v1/users
Update user PUT /api/v1/users/{userId}
Delete user DELETE /api/v1/users/{userId}

6. API Documentation Standards (Communicate Clearly)

An undocumented API is a dead API.

Good documentation allows developers to use your API without confusion.

Professional Documentation Tools:

  • OpenAPI Specification (Swagger) — Industry standard

  • Postman API Docs

  • Redoc

Minimum Documentation Requirements:

  • API Endpoints

  • Request/Response Examples

  • Status Codes and Error Responses

  • Authentication Requirements

  • Data Schemas (Fields, Types, Descriptions)

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