Effective API Design
Introduction When discussing designing effective APIs for production-ready, scalable and maintainable systems, we do not just talk about adhering to RESTful standards, but must approach it from a System and Developer Experience (DX) perspective. To design APIs effectively, the core principles usually applied are KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) and Consistency . As systems grow larger, consistency in URL design, error codes and payload handling will be the lifesaver for both Frontend and Backend teams. Below is the blueprint for effective API design divided by core pillars: Architectural Style & Protocol Selection Pick the right tool for the job REST (JSON over HTTP/1.1 or HTTP/2) : Still the default choice for public APIs and B2B integrations thanks to its popularity, ease of debugging and broad ecosystem. gRPC (Protocol Buffers over HTTP/2) : Mandatory for Inter-service communication (Internal Microservices) with benefits including low latency, robust streaming suppo...