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

Publisher Packt

ISBN-13 9781835885284

Length 406 pages

Edition 1st Edition

Languages

JavaScript

Tools

.NET

Concepts

REST API

Authors (2):

Andrzej Jarzyna

Samir Amzani

View More author details

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

Introducing API contract building blocks

An effective API contract is composed of several key components that collectively define every aspect of the API’s functionality, usage, and governance. Understanding these building blocks is essential for creating contracts that are both comprehensive and manageable. In this section, I will focus on REST APIs and OpenAPI as the primary frameworks for defining and standardizing API contracts, offering practical insights into their unique features and best practices for implementation.

Technical specifications

An API contract’s technical specification serves as a comprehensive guide for developers, outlining precise instructions on interacting with the API. It provides detailed model schemas, enabling developers to implement robust data handling in their applications while ensuring consistency and accuracy. Additionally, the specification clearly defines security requirements, helping to prevent unauthorized access and...