REST API Design: Principles That Stand the Test of Time
REST API Design: Principles That Stand the Test of Time
A well-designed API is a product in itself. Let's explore the principles that lead to APIs developers love.
Resource-Oriented Design
Think in terms of resources, not actions:
Good
GET /users
POST /users
GET /users/123
PUT /users/123
Avoid
GET /getUsers
POST /createUser
GET /getUserById?id=123
Consistent Naming Conventions
Establish conventions and follow them religiously:
Meaningful HTTP Status Codes
Status codes communicate intent:
Pagination and Filtering
For collections, always support pagination:
GET /users?page=1&limit=20&sort=created_at&order=desc
Error Responses
Errors should be helpful:
{
"error": {
"code": "VALIDATION_ERROR",
"message": "Invalid email format",
"field": "email",
"docs": "https://api.example.com/docs/errors#VALIDATION_ERROR"
}
}
Versioning
Always version your API from day one:
/api/v1/users
/api/v2/users
Conclusion
Good API design is about empathy for the developer. Make it intuitive, consistent, and well-documented.
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