Chapter 5. Guiding principles for API design

This chapter covers

  • API design principles for successful APIs
  • Cautionary notes on design antipatterns
  • API examples highlighting these principles

The technical aspects of REST APIs are only part of the puzzle. This chapter and the next few focus on the process of creating an API that’s not only functional but also delightful and usable.

Before I get to the meat of the process, I want to give you some advice to keep in mind during the process. This is definitely not a checklist; even when you’ve already done one of these things, you need to continue doing it. Think of it as learning to drive a car—even though you’ve checked your blind spot once, you need to continue doing so as you move forward. Similarly, ...

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