REST API Design Principles

Designing a REST API that is both effective and easy to use requires adherence to certain principles. Here are some key design principles to consider:

1. Use Nouns, Not Verbs in Endpoint Paths

Good: /articles Bad: /getArticles

2. Use Logical Nesting on Endpoints

For relationships: /articles/1/comments

3. Handle Errors Gracefully

Use standard HTTP status codes and provide meaningful error messages.

4. Allow Filtering, Sorting, and Pagination

Implement these features to make your API more flexible: /articles?sort=date&order=asc&page=2

5. Versioning

Include the version in the URL or as a header: /v1/articles

6. Use HATEOAS (Hypertext As The Engine Of Application State)

Provide links to related resources in your responses.

7. Choose the Right Data Formats

JSON is widely used, but consider XML or others if they fit your use case better.

By following these principles, you can create an API that is intuitive, efficient, and developer-friendly.