Crafting APIs That Last
When building APIs, it’s essential to consider the long-term implications of your design choices. Whether you’re working with Node.js or another language, these principles will help you create APIs that are scalable, maintainable, and easy to use.
Be Stingy with Data
When responding to API requests, it’s tempting to return all available data. However, this approach can lead to problems down the line. Instead, focus on providing only the necessary information, and use well-defined objects to represent your data. This will help you avoid bloated responses and ensure that your API remains efficient.
Represent Upstream Data as Well-Defined Objects
In Node.js, it’s common to work with plain old JavaScript objects (POJOs). However, these objects can be risky, as they lack structure and can lead to errors. Instead, use domain objects (DOs) to represent your data. DOs provide a clear structure and can help you enforce data integrity.
Use Forward-Compatible Attribute Naming
When naming attributes in your API responses, choose names that will be compatible with future updates. Avoid using names that might conflict with future changes, and consider using a consistent naming convention throughout your API.
Normalize Concepts and Attributes
When combining data from multiple services, ensure that your API presents a consistent view of the data. Normalize concepts and attributes to avoid confusion, and use a consistent casing convention for attribute names.
Use Positive, “Happy” Names
When naming attributes, opt for positive, descriptive names that are easy to understand. Avoid using negative names or those that might cause confusion.
Apply the Robustness Principle
The Robustness Principle states that you should be conservative in what you do and liberal in what you accept from others. In API design, this means being flexible when parsing incoming requests and strict when generating responses.
Test All Error Conditions
Error handling is a critical aspect of API design. Ensure that your API returns consistent, well-formatted error responses, and test all error conditions to prevent unexpected behavior.
Take a Step Back
Finally, take a step back from your API design and review it from a different perspective. Use tools like Postman to inspect your API’s raw HTTP payloads and ensure that your design meets your goals.
By following these principles, you can create APIs that are scalable, maintainable, and easy to use. Whether you’re working with Node.js or another language, these guidelines will help you build APIs that last.