You're reading from RESTful API Design Patterns and Best Practices Master REST API design with real-world patterns, lifecycle management, and OpenAPI practices

Product type Paperback

Published in Oct 2025

Last Updated in Oct 2025

Publisher Packt

ISBN-13 9781835885284

Length 406 pages

Edition 1st Edition

Languages

JavaScript

Tools

.NET

Concepts

REST API

Authors (2):

Andrzej Jarzyna

Samir Amzani

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Table of Contents (20) Chapters

Preface

1. The Apprentice’s Study – Preparing for the Craft

2. The “Why” of API Development FREE CHAPTER

3. API as a Product: Designing APIs with a Product Mindset

4. Understanding Application and API Lifecycles

5. Applying Domain-Driven Design to APIs

6. The Wizard’s Grimoire – Mastering the Fundamentals of REST

7. Comparing and Choosing the Right API Style

8. REST Design Constraints and Maturity Models

9. Constructing an API Design Domain Model

10. Designing and Managing Effective API Contracts

11. The Archmage’s Circle – Forging and Evolving API Contracts

12. Understanding the OpenAPI Specification

13. OpenAPI as a Contract: Best Practices and Implementation

14. Using JSON Schema to Define Your Object Models

15. Don’t Hate Your Hypermedia: Creating APIs for Humans and AIs

16. API Change Management: Strategies for Versioning and Evolution

17. Unlock Your Book’s Exclusive Benefits

How to unlock these benefits in three easy steps

18. Other Books You May Enjoy

19. Index

JSON Schema at work

In this section, we will address the challenges related to versioning and evolving schemas over time. Additionally, we will discuss how JSON Schema integrates seamlessly into modern development workflows, enhancing productivity and reducing errors.

Evolution

As REST APIs evolve, so too must their underlying data schemas. Properly managing the versioning and evolution of JSON Schema documents is crucial to maintaining compatibility and ensuring a smooth transition for API consumers. This section explores strategies for handling schema changes and best practices for versioning.

Handling schema changes

Schema evolution refers to the process of modifying a schema over time to accommodate new requirements or improvements. Changes can include adding new fields, deprecating old ones, or altering validation rules. Effective schema evolution ensures that these changes do not disrupt existing API clients.

In general, we differentiate between two types...