API Endpoint Specification

An API Endpoint Specification is a formal specification of an API.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) be referenced in API Reference Document.
  • It can be composed of:
    • API base URL, for making requests to the API (e.g., "https://api.onlinestore.com/products").
    • API HTTP methods, that can be used to make requests (e.g., GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
    • API Request Parameters that can be included in a request (e.g., the ID of the product to retrieve).
    • API Response Format that is returned by the API (e.g., JSON).
    • API Error Codes, that may be returned, and their meanings (e.g., 400 Bad Request, 401 Unauthorized).
  • …
• Example(s):
  • a Microservice API Specification.
  • …
• See: HTTP Method.

---

---

References

2023

• chat
  • Q: What is an API specification, and provide an example?
  • W: An API specification is a set of rules that describe how a software program should interact with a particular application programming interface (API). It defines the types of requests that can be made, the data formats that should be used, and the rules for handling errors and exceptions.

    For example, consider an API that allows a user to retrieve information about a specific product from an online store. The API specification for this API might define the following:

    • The base URL for making requests to the API (e.g., "https://api.onlinestore.com/products")
    • The HTTP methods that can be used to make requests (e.g., GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
    • The request parameters (and formats) that can be included in a request (e.g., the ID of the product to retrieve)
    • The format of the data that is returned by the API (e.g., JSON)
    • The possible error codes that may be returned, and their meanings (e.g., 400 Bad Request, 401 Unauthorized)
  • With this information, a developer can build a program that can interact with the API in a predictable and consistent way.

---