{"id":10665,"date":"2024-07-12T14:14:38","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T14:14:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=10665"},"modified":"2024-07-16T14:21:04","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T14:21:04","slug":"what-is-api-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/eu\/blog\/what-is-api-design\/","title":{"rendered":"What is API Design?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

API design makes deliberate choices about how an API will present data and functionality to its users. Effective API design outlines the API’s endpoints, methods, and resources using a standardised specification format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The design process works for users and developers. Why? It ensures APIs meet business goals while being user-friendly, adaptable, testable, and well-documented. API design should be addressed early in the API lifecycle to ensure alignment among key stakeholders and to identify potential issues before they become entrenched. It also plays a crucial role in API governance by helping teams create standardised API patterns that can be reused within the organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog, we’ll look at the key stages of API, REST API, and some of the different types of API available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the key stages of API design?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every organisation should follow some fundamental steps when designing an API. These steps require teamwork among stakeholders, including business leaders, developers, consumers, and partners, to ensure the API meets everyone’s needs. Collaborating throughout the process also helps developers avoid adding unnecessary features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the steps for API design:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Define the API’s purpose<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    The first step is to reach a consensus on what the API is supposed to accomplish. Different APIs serve different functions; for example, an API for authentication has different requirements than one for browsing a product catalogue. Understanding the use case is crucial before making other decisions. The use case will also influence the architecture choice, such as using gRPC for internal microservices or GraphQL for integrating multiple data sources. Once the API\u2019s purpose is clear, stakeholders should describe how the API will fulfil specific needs in plain language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Ensure Reliable Service Contracts for APIs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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      When running one or more services, it’s crucial to have dependable service contracts that define their APIs. These contracts usually consist of detailed interface definitions that precisely outline and type the API each service offers. This makes it essential for the service code to accurately implement the interface, ensuring it meets its contract obligations. Detecting regressions and communicating changes through updates to the contract is vital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Service contracts typically include the following components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n