API Documentation Checklist

APIchecklist APIDocumentation The number of Web APIS is growing rapidly So, how does ideal doc look like? ProgrammableWeb directory counts over 12,730 APIS Documentation takes the central stage in the way how API is adopted by developers 2 Examples in Multiple Languages 1 Code Samples Include the full request code sample Represent best practice of your API from the perspective of each programming language: C#, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby Show the expected response 3 Description Section 4 Explain Authentication Offer 1 method of authentication Provide programmers with the clearly defined purpose of the call, response and errors that may occur Explain the Errors Data Formats JSON XML List the error codes and what they mean. Indicate the most common Offer both XML and JSON so developers could choose the most suitable one cause of receiving them 7 Use REST HTTP Methods Use REST architecture style as it appears to be dynamic and flexible instead of SOAP is more standardize ΗTTP REST GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE to enhance the clarity of what the given request does 9. A Searchable 10 Interactive HTML Interface Documentation PDF is not the appropriate way to project the documentation Provide the ability to make API calls directly from the site, thus your users can interact with the API immediately from the docs 11 Sample Client Project It can be the foundation of clients built in the wild to set the developers on the best path for the high-quality experience with your API Resources: https://www.api2cart.com/blog/api-documentation-build-right http://bradfults.com/the-best-api-documentation https://signalvnoise.com/posts/3018-api-design-for-humans 5Z API2 Cart unified shopping cart data interface 00 LO