Key Principles of API Design

  1. RESTful API Architecture

    • Use standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) for CRUD operations.
    • Design resources with meaningful URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).
    RESTful_API

  2. Consistent Endpoint Structure

    • Follow a predictable naming convention like /users/{id} for resource-specific actions.
    • Group related endpoints under a common parent path.
    API_Endpoints

  3. Versioning Strategy

    • Implement versioning (e.g., /api/v1/resource) to manage backward compatibility.
    • Avoid overcomplicating versioning logic.
    API_Versioning

  4. Error Handling

    • Return clear Error_Response with status codes and descriptive messages.
    • Use standard formats like JSON for error details.
    Error_Response

Best Practices

  • Documentation: Always provide detailed documentation via /api-design-principles.
  • Security: Prioritize Authentication_Methods (e.g., OAuth 2.0, API keys).
  • Performance: Optimize with Rate_Limiting and CORS_Configuration.

For deeper insights, visit our API Best Practices guide.

GraphQL_API

📌 Remember to use Swagger_Interface for intuitive API testing and documentation.

Explore more about API documentation to enhance your design workflow.

API_Documentation