API Design Best Practices for Modern Web Applications

A well-designed API is the foundation of any successful web application. Here's how to get it right.

Core Principles

RESTful Design

Follow REST principles for predictable, intuitive APIs.

Versioning

Always version your API to allow for backward-compatible changes.

Authentication

Implement secure authentication using OAuth 2.0 or JWT tokens.

Best Practices

• Use meaningful HTTP status codes
• Provide comprehensive documentation
• Implement rate limiting
• Return consistent error messages

Following these practices will make your API a joy to use.