Api design toolbox

As explained in The Design of Web APIs, Second Edition

An API design toolbox is a curated collection of API design guidance, reusable components, and automated checks that supports consistent design decisions.

An API design toolbox is a curated, evolving collection of guidelines, reusable design components, and automated checks that makes recurring API decisions more consistent and efficient. section 1.7.4 section 1.8

Use the toolbox to make design decisions confidently:

• Check whether a decision is timely and assess its scope. section 16.1
• Reuse trusted past decisions or consult trusted external sources. section 16.1
• Record the reasoning and supporting information, then explain the choice. section 16.1

Naming and pagination

A toolbox can preserve a naming convention such as fromDate rather than from_date, catch an accidental spelling such as froMDate, and provide a consistent pagination approach without requiring designers to remember every rule. section 1.7.4

Figure 16.1 Designing APIs also involves thinking about simplifying our work so we can be seamlessly confident and consistent.

Figure 16.1 frames toolbox work as simplifying API design so decisions become confident and consistent. section 16.1

How The Design of Web APIs, Second Edition covers it

How deep it goes

Details decision timing, scope, evidence, reusable components, guidelines, and automation without specifying particular implementations.

Examples

Uses naming conventions, typo prevention, and pagination choices as recurring design examples.

What it assumes

Assumes needs analysis, API capabilities, a design methodology, and API design principles.

What you can do after

Build a continuously improving toolbox that supports confident, reasoned, and consistent API design decisions.

How it connects

Connects API design guidelines, automated guidelines, ready-to-use design components, and the API design reference kit.

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Related concepts

• linter rulehas part · A linter rule is a configurable condition applied by a linter to detect or enforce specified patterns or constraints in code or other artifacts.
• guidelinehas part · A guideline is a recommendation or principle that directs how an activity is performed or decisions are made, without necessarily imposing an absolute requirement.
• OpenAPI specificationhas part · The OpenAPI Specification is a standard, machine-readable format for describing HTTP APIs, including their operations, inputs, outputs, data structures, and security requirements.
• naming standarduses · A naming standard is an established set of rules or patterns for assigning names consistently to software elements, resources, or other artifacts.
• paginationuses · Pagination is the technique of dividing a collection or result set into bounded portions that can be retrieved or displayed separately.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of The Design of Web APIs, Second Edition. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.