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RESTful API Design Patterns and Best Practices
RESTful API Design Patterns and Best Practices

RESTful API Design Patterns and Best Practices: Master REST API design with real-world patterns, lifecycle management, and OpenAPI practices

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Profile Icon Andrzej Jarzyna Profile Icon Samir Amzani
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€23.99 €26.99
eBook Oct 2025 406 pages 1st Edition
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€23.99 €26.99
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€33.99
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Renews at €18.99p/m
Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Andrzej Jarzyna Profile Icon Samir Amzani
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€23.99 €26.99
eBook Oct 2025 406 pages 1st Edition
eBook
€23.99 €26.99
Paperback
€33.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Renews at €18.99p/m
eBook
€23.99 €26.99
Paperback
€33.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Renews at €18.99p/m

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RESTful API Design Patterns and Best Practices

The “Why” of API Development

APIs are indispensable for any digital business nowadays. They are the roads, bridges, sidewalks, traffic lights, signs, etc. of the internet. This may seem a bold statement, but if you think about it, virtually any digital interaction you have in your everyday life will involve use of APIs. Your map application will fetch data about the route and traffic conditions from dozens of APIs, paying using your phone in a store will involve a few APIs connecting the bank with the credit card company and with the mobile phone application. The examples as endless.

In this book, we will be diving deep into how to design REST APIs – the most common and robust style of APIs. Our approach is to look at APIs not as isolated systems, but instead, from a broader perspective. We will be going through the whole lifecycle process of an API focusing also on how they affect other systems in a bigger ecosystem.

By the end of the book, you will be...

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APIs are indispensable for any digital business nowadays. They are the roads, bridges, sidewalks, traffic lights, signs, etc. of the internet. This may seem a bold statement, but if you think about it, virtually any digital interaction you have in your everyday life will involve use of APIs. Your map application will fetch data about the route and traffic conditions from dozens of APIs, paying using your phone in a store will involve a few APIs connecting the bank with the credit card company and with the mobile phone application. The examples as endless.In this book, we will be diving deep into how to design REST APIs – the most common and robust style of APIs. Our approach is to look at APIs not as isolated systems, but instead, from a broader perspective. We will be going through the whole lifecycle process of an API focusing also on how they affect other systems in a bigger ecosystem.By the end of...

The “Why” of API development: Exploring the core motivations

Before venturing into the realms of API design, we should understand the reasons why. We are at this stage having some sort of business or technical requirements we have to fulfill. Instead of diving straight into API design or development, let’s first understand the ecosystem into which we are going to contribute with our new piece of software. It’s a system of communicating vessels and seemingly trivial updates can affect multiple of its elements. As the first exercise, let’s explore the fundamental reasons that necessitate the creation of APIs.

The essence of APIs

APIs are often built to provide data to our applications without the need to tightly couple the presentation layer with data layer. However, APIs are not just for building applications. They enable data integration across multiple platforms. APIs are commonly used to provide access to various datasets. This way you gain access...

Identifying your API’s audience: Tailoring your approach

In the preceding section, we have briefly talked about the difference between internal and external audience. Now let’s dive deeper into the topic of identifying your API’s target audience and how it affects API design and our motivations.As already mentioned, internal and external APIs have many business and technological advantages. We will be able to reuse the data interfaces, give data more visibility, add more revenue streams or monetize our platform. How does the approach to API design differ for internal and external APIs though?

Communication and affordance-centric API design

The requirements with which we usually start to build our new API usually tell us what kind of business requirements we are going to fulfil and how we should do that. However, rarely it is a product of close interaction with the future consumer. One great possibility which internal APIs tend to have out of the box is that we already...

APIs as business catalysts: Driving value and innovation

In this chapter, we delve into the business motivations behind the creation of APIs, arguably the most significant driver of all. The industry truly began to innovate when businesses realized the potential of APIs to enhance revenue and expand market reach. While the technologies enabling APIs to have existed for a long time, it was not until their large-scale implementation that we began to see their true potential. So, what constitutes a compelling business motivation? We touched upon some in the first section of this chapter: The “Why” of API development: Exploring the core motivations. Let’s explore in greater detail.If your objective is to externalize your capabilities and foster an economy around your services and data, APIs offer the creative freedom to construct unique solutions tailored to specific user needs, all through straightforward API connections. They facilitate the development of new applications...

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Key benefits

  • Design APIs with your audience in mind to improve usability, lifecycle management, and communication
  • Learn how to create a client-centric REST API design leveraging OpenAPI and JSON Schema
  • Explore API versioning strategies, and gain hands-on experience with API testing and implementation
  • Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Description

Designing scalable, user-focused, and robust APIs that are built to last isn’t just a technical challenge but a design imperative. Written by API leaders with over 30 years of combined experience advancing API strategy, governance, and community, this book is your comprehensive guide to API design, focusing on domain-driven, consumer-centric APIs that meet real-world user needs while remaining flexible and maintainable over time. It covers modern REST API design, the use of 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 the application of domain-driven design. You’ll develop a solid foundation in REST API design as you discover different styles, design constraints, and more. Beyond design, the book covers testing techniques, API evolution, maintenance, and deprecation. By the end of the book, you’ll not only know how to design great APIs but will understand how to treat them as products, manage their full lifecycle, and deliver real value by ensuring your APIs stay relevant and reliable long after their initial release.

Who is this book for?

This book is for professionals involved in the digital product lifecycle who want to deepen their understanding of API design and build future-proof APIs with a product-centric approach. API developers, solution architects and engineers, technical product owners, and software architects looking to extend their skills in creating efficient, scalable, and maintainable APIs will find this book particularly useful. Basic knowledge of APIs and the HTTP protocol is recommended to fully benefit from the design principles and practices covered.

What you will learn

  • Assess your client's needs to design APIs that communicate the value of your product
  • Understand the role of API lifecycle and the importance of contracts
  • Apply domain-driven design principles in API architecture
  • Embrace a modern approach to REST API design
  • Use the OpenAPI Specification and JSON Schema for standardized APIs
  • Evolve, maintain, and deprecate your APIs without disrupting your users

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Last updated date : Oct 06, 2025
Publication date : Oct 06, 2025
Length: 406 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781835885291
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Last updated date : Oct 06, 2025
Publication date : Oct 06, 2025
Length: 406 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781835885291
Languages :
Concepts :
Tools :

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Table of Contents

19 Chapters
The Apprentice’s Study – Preparing for the Craft Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
The “Why” of API Development Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
API as a Product: Designing APIs with a Product Mindset Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Understanding Application and API Lifecycles Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Applying Domain-Driven Design to APIs Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
The Wizard’s Grimoire – Mastering the Fundamentals of REST Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Comparing and Choosing the Right API Style Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
REST Design Constraints and Maturity Models Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Constructing an API Design Domain Model Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Designing and Managing Effective API Contracts Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
The Archmage’s Circle – Forging and Evolving API Contracts Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Understanding the OpenAPI Specification Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
OpenAPI as a Contract: Best Practices and Implementation Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Using JSON Schema to Define Your Object Models Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Don’t Hate Your Hypermedia: Creating APIs for Humans and AIs Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
API Change Management: Strategies for Versioning and Evolution Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Unlock Your Book’s Exclusive Benefits Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
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