4. API Design with RESTful Principles and OpenAPI Documentation

Date: 2024-12-12

Status

Accepted

Context

The application requires a well-defined interface for communication between the frontend and backend. The API should be easy to use, scalable, and adhere to web standards. Additionally, there is a need to ensure that the API is well-documented, standardized, and easy to integrate with other systems.

Decision

The API will be designed following RESTful principles and documented using the OpenAPI standard. Swagger will be used to generate and maintain the API documentation.

Consequences

  • Positive: A RESTful API design aligns with web standards and is widely understood, making it easier for frontend developers and external systems to interact with the backend.
  • Positive: RESTful APIs are stateless, which simplifies the server-side logic and improves scalability.
  • Positive: The use of OpenAPI ensures that the API is described in a standard format, which facilitates integration with other systems and tools.
  • Positive: Swagger provides an interactive API documentation interface, making it easier for developers to explore and test the API endpoints.
  • Positive: The use of OpenAPI and Swagger promotes consistency in API design, helps in generating client libraries, and ensures that the documentation stays up-to-date with the actual API implementation.
  • Negative: The additional step of maintaining OpenAPI documentation might introduce overhead, particularly if not automated as part of the development process.
  • Negative: Developers need to be familiar with OpenAPI specifications and Swagger tools, which could require some learning and adaptation time.

Implementation Details

  • OpenAPI Specification: The API will be described using the OpenAPI 3.0 specification. This will include defining endpoints, request/response formats, authentication mechanisms, and error codes.
  • Swagger Integration: Swagger will be integrated into the project to automatically generate API documentation from the OpenAPI specification. This documentation will be available for developers and external users to explore the API.
  • Automation: The OpenAPI documentation will be generated as part of the CI/CD pipeline to ensure it remains consistent with the actual API implementation.
  • Client Libraries: The OpenAPI specification can be used to generate client libraries in various programming languages, simplifying integration for external developers.

Tools and Technologies

  • HonoJS with Swagger Module: The HonoJS framework will utilize the chanfana library to generate the OpenAPI specification and Swagger UI.
  • Swagger UI: A self-hosted Swagger UI will be provided as part of the development environment for easy access to the API documentation.