Best Practices To Follow In REST API Development

by | 09-05-2023

An Application Programming Interface (API) can be defined as a set of rules that standardize data exchange between applications. It facilitates various applications in directly communicating with each other through a set of functions and procedures.

Regarding following different protocols and standards, the backend developers deal with the two most commonly used APIs: REST and SOAP. While a SOAP API enables stateful requests and offers more reliability, REST APIs allow applications, most commonly client-server applications, to connect faster since the payload size is limited.

Before discussing the best practices to follow while developing REST APIs, let’s define REST in detail.

What Is A REST API?

REST stands for Representational State Transfer. It is a software architectural pattern that works as a guide for web design architecture. An API that follows the design principles of REST is known as RESTful.

By developing a smooth and easy-to-use REST API, the job of front-end developers can be made straightforward, as they can retrieve data without understanding the complexities of an API. On the other hand, a complicated API structure can result in a big hassle in maintaining that API and for the developers in trying to connect with the database.

In this article, you will learn the ideal practices you should follow while creating a REST API.

Comprehensive Documentation

While many developers ignore it, documentation is a key component of the API structure. Precise and well-compiled documentation enables API users to comprehend the API functionality and utilize it accordingly. It is a well-known fact that the faster API users are able to understand it, the quicker that API will be used to establish a connection between the client and server. Therefore, the importance of well-compiled API documentation cannot be overstated.

Proper Error Handling

A backend developer should not automatically assume that all API users can fulfill the requirements and that the API call be successfully returned. There are always some cases, either because of user negligence or client-side error, when the API call is unsuccessful and yields errors. Therefore, as an API developer, it is important to display error codes or messages in the response body in case of an error-based response to an API call. In this way, the API user will instantly realize whether his API request was successful or not.

Utilize JSON As The Data Format

While XML and HTML were preferred for accepting and responding to API requests in the past, it is no longer the norm. It is an unwritten rule nowadays that JSON has to be the format for sending and receiving API data.

JSON or JavaScript Object Notation has become so popular because of the fact that programming languages like JavaScript, Python, and PHP have built-in methods to parse, accept and manipulate JSON data. This makes it easier for API users to retrieve and manipulate data via API requests.

Enhance API Security

With cyberattacks becoming increasingly common, it’s important to create APIs that can create a secure connection between two applications. Denial of Service (DoS) attack is a common threat to API developers, and therefore it’s important to restrict the number of API requests. Also, SSL should be used for creating a connection, as it uses private and public keys to ensure a secure connection.

Use Nouns In Endpoints

Some API developers use verbs in the endpoint paths, which should not be a common practice. The endpoints should be nouns, focusing on their role. Since HTTP methods are already in verb form for performing CRUD operations, it also doesn’t make sense to use verbs in the endpoints paths.

Conclusion

REST API is a widely used software architectural pattern that enables communications between the client and server. This blog covered some of the fundamental principles that should be followed while creating REST APIs.

When it comes to mobile and web app development, Ropstam Solutions is your trusted partner. Our experienced team specializes in crafting custom web and mobile app solutions tailored to your unique requirements. To discuss your project and avail off our expertise, contact us via email (info@ropstam.com) or phone (+1 (866) 631-8767) and reach out for a consultation that can transform your digital ideas into reality.

Recent Posts

best open-source SQL clients
Best Open Source SQL Clients for Database Management

SQL databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite are used extensively across web and mobile applications. Developers need an effective SQL client to interface with these databases. While paid tools like TablePlus and Navicat are popular, open-source SQL clients provide a free alternative without compromising on features. In this article, I have highlighted the best open […]

Bun 1.0 released
Bun 1.0 Released as Fast Alternative to Node.js

The JavaScript toolkit Bun has recently announced its 1.0 release. Bun aims to provide a faster alternative to Node.js for running, building, testing, and debugging JavaScript and TypeScript.Created by Jarred Sumner, CEO of Oven, Bun is written in Zig and designed to eliminate the slowness and complexity that has accumulated in JavaScript tooling over time. […]

mongodb best practices
MongoDB Best Practices – Schema Design, Deployment & More

In today’s day and age, MongoDB is considered one of the most popular NoSQL databases. By offering features such as scalability and agility, MongoDB eclipses relational databases in more than one domain. MongoDB’s flexible database design allows developers to explore various schema design patterns. Whether you’re dealing with one-to-one relationships, arrays of data, or complex […]

flutter app development best practices
Flutter App Development Best Practices to Follow in 2023

With the advancements in digital technology, mobile app development has become one of the top fields to pursue. In the domain of cross-platform mobile app development, Flutter is unarguably the next big thing. One of the youngest and ever-evolving software development kits, Flutter is an open-source framework developed and maintained by Google. Since the launch […]

Profile Picture

Muhammad Mustafa is an experienced content writer with expertise in SEO. With a background in Software Engineering, Mustafa combines his knowledge of various technology stacks with a passion for writing. Besides writing, he loves cricket and traveling.

Muhammad Mustafa

Related Posts

Flutter 3.7: Paving The Way For The Future Of App Development

Introduction The future belongs to cross-platform development, and Flutter is one of the most popular and fastest application development platforms. Supported by Google, Flutter was first released...

How To Bring Design Consistency In Your UI/UX Design?

Learning design consistency for UI/UX design is an acquired skill. We see consistent design in nature and our bodies, but our minds also green-lit symmetrical designs. We cannot get far without...

Your eCommerce Business does not Need a Marketing Strategy!

What is it about the eCommerce business that everyone looks straight for a shortcut? Is it the cool but brooding Jeff Bezos’ CEO look they all want? Perhaps the ungodly amount of wealth (read $5...

7 Steps to Increase your Website Security

Websites are the tools to help you in promoting your businesses. You can promote your business through a website, earn revenue, attract new customers, and store confidential information. These...

Why our clients
love us?

Our clients love us because we prioritize effective communication and are committed to delivering high-quality software solutions that meet the highest standards of excellence.

anton testimonial for ropstam solutions

“They met expectations with every aspect of design and development of the product, and we’ve seen an increase in downloads and monthly users.”

Anton Neugebauer, CEO, RealAdvice Agency
tariehk testimonial for ropstam solutions

“Willing to accommodate nonprofit budgets, Ropstam brought their robust experience to the project. They checked in consistently, and were communicative, easy to reach, and responsive.”

Tariehk, VP of Marketing.
mike stanzyk testimonial for ropstam solutions

“Their dedication to their clients is really impressive.  Ropstam Solutions Inc. communicates effectively with the client to ensure customer satisfaction.”

Mike Stanzyk, CEO, Stanzyk LLC

“Ropstam was an excellent partner in bringing our vision to life! They managed to strike the right balance between aesthetics and functionality, ensuring that the end product was not only visually appealing but also practical and usable.”

Jackie Philbin, Director - Nutrition for Longevity

Supercharge your software development with our expert team – get in touch today!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.