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RESTful API Design Patterns and Best Practices

RESTful API Design Patterns and Best Practices

By : Andrzej Jarzyna, Samir Amzani
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RESTful API Design Patterns and Best Practices

RESTful API Design Patterns and Best Practices

By: Andrzej Jarzyna, Samir Amzani
Buy this Book

Overview of this book

Designing scalable, user-focused, and robust APIs that last isn’t just a technical challenge but a design imperative. Written by API leaders with over 30 years of combined experience in API strategy, governance, and community, this book is your comprehensive guide to API design, focusing on domain-driven, consumer-centric APIs that meet real user needs while remaining flexible and maintainable over time. It covers modern REST API design, tools like OpenAPI and JSON Schema, and the importance of a product-based approach. The chapters help you explore best practices, potential pitfalls, and anti-patterns, extending beyond the design phase. Starting with the “why” behind building an API, its intended users, and value, this book walks you through the API lifecycle, the role of contracts, and applying domain-driven design. You’ll develop a solid foundation in REST API design as you discover different styles, constraints, and more. Beyond design, the book covers testing techniques, API evolution, maintenance, and deprecation. By the end, you’ll not only know how to design great APIs but understand how to treat them as products, manage their lifecycle, and deliver real value by keeping your APIs relevant and reliable long after release. *Email sign-up and proof of purchase required
Table of Contents (20 chapters)
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Preface
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Preface
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Who this book is for
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What this book covers
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To get the most out of this book
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1
The Apprentice’s Study – Preparing for the Craft
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The Apprentice’s Study – Preparing for the Craft
2
The “Why” of API Development
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The “Why” of API Development
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The “Why” of API development: Exploring the core motivations
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Identifying your API’s audience: Tailoring your approach
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APIs as business catalysts: Driving value and innovation
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Summary
3
API as a Product: Designing APIs with a Product Mindset
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API as a Product: Designing APIs with a Product Mindset
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Shifting paradigm – APIs as products
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The building blocks of API as a product
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API monetization strategies
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API bundling
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Summary
4
Understanding Application and API Lifecycles
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Understanding Application and API Lifecycles
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What is the API Lifecycle?
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Defining the stages of the API lifecycle
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Why is the design stage the one that impacts everything?
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Successfully managing application and API Lifecycles
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Summary
5
Applying Domain-Driven Design to APIs
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Applying Domain-Driven Design to APIs
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Domain-driven design overview
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How can domain-driven design benefit APIs?
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Applying domain-driven design to REST APIs
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Summary
6
The Wizard’s Grimoire – Mastering the Fundamentals of REST
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The Wizard’s Grimoire – Mastering the Fundamentals of REST
7
Comparing and Choosing the Right API Style
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Comparing and Choosing the Right API Style
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What’s an API style?
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Importance of choosing the right API style
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API style families
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How to choose the right API style
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Mixing API styles
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Summary
8
REST Design Constraints and Maturity Models
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REST Design Constraints and Maturity Models
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Technical requirements
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The HTTP protocol
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REST API design constraints
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API maturity
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How to assess and improve your API’s maturity
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Summary
9
Constructing an API Design Domain Model
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Constructing an API Design Domain Model
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Technical requirements
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Understanding the role of API modeling in API design
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Diving into JSON Schema for API modeling
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Adopting the minimal API surface principle
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Constructing an API design domain model from a ubiquitous language
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Summary
10
Designing and Managing Effective API Contracts
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Designing and Managing Effective API Contracts
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Technical requirements
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Understanding the concept and importance of API contracts
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Introducing API contract building blocks
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Managing your API contracts
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Summary
11
The Archmage’s Circle – Forging and Evolving API Contracts
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The Archmage’s Circle – Forging and Evolving API Contracts
12
Understanding the OpenAPI Specification
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Understanding the OpenAPI Specification
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The origins and purpose of OpenAPI
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Designing REST APIs with OAS
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The structure of OAS
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Summary
13
OpenAPI as a Contract: Best Practices and Implementation
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OpenAPI as a Contract: Best Practices and Implementation
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OpenAPI as a contract for your API
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Best practices for using OpenAPI
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Summary
14
Using JSON Schema to Define Your Object Models
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Using JSON Schema to Define Your Object Models
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Technical requirements
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Understanding JSON Schema
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JSON Schema at work
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Best practices for using JSON Schema
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Summary
15
Don’t Hate Your Hypermedia: Creating APIs for Humans and AIs
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Don’t Hate Your Hypermedia: Creating APIs for Humans and AIs
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The power of hypermedia as a REST constraint
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Navigating hypermedia implementation: patterns, formats, and challenges
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Designing hypermedia APIs for AI consumption
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Summary
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API Change Management: Strategies for Versioning and Evolution
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API Change Management: Strategies for Versioning and Evolution
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The why of API change management
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API change management building blocks
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Implementing an API change process for Magic Items Store
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Summary
17
Unlock Your Book’s Exclusive Benefits
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Unlock Your Book’s Exclusive Benefits
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How to unlock these benefits in three easy steps
18
Other Books You May Enjoy
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Other Books You May Enjoy
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Index
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Index

The Apprentice’s Study – Preparing for the Craft

In this foundational part of the book, you’ll begin your journey as an API apprentice, learning the essential principles and mindset needed to craft exceptional APIs. Just as every wizard must first understand the fundamental forces of magic before wielding powerful spells, every API designer must grasp the core motivations, business drivers, and strategic thinking that underpin successful API development.

You’ll discover why APIs have become critical business assets and learn to approach them with a product mindset rather than a purely technical perspective. We’ll explore the complete lifecycle of APIs, from conception to retirement, and introduce you to Domain-Driven Design principles that will shape how you think about API boundaries and organization.

By the end of this part, you’ll have developed the strategic foundation and conceptual framework necessary to make informed decisions throughout your API design journey. This preparation phase ensures that when you do start designing, you’ll be equipped with the right mindset, tools, and understanding to create APIs that truly serve their intended purpose.

This part of the book includes the following chapters:

  • Chapter 1, The “Why” of API Development
  • Chapter 2, API as a Product: Designing APIs with a Product Mindset
  • Chapter 3, Understanding Application and API Lifecycles
  • Chapter 4, Applying Domain Driven Design to APIs
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