REST API Best Practices
Modern REST API design patterns, error handling, and enterprise-grade implementation
REST APIEnterpriseRFC Standards
REST Design Principles
Fundamental principles that guide our REST API implementation in ModernAPI
Resource-Based URLs
Use nouns, not verbs. Resources are the key abstraction.
/api/users/123/orders rather than /api/getUserOrders?userId=123HTTP Methods as Verbs
Let HTTP methods define the action on resources.
POST /api/users (create) vs GET /api/users (retrieve)Stateless Interactions
Each request contains all information needed to process it.
Include authentication token and context in every requestConsistent Data Formats
Standardize request/response formats across all endpoints.
Always return { data, message, errors } structureURL Structure & Conventions
Consistent and predictable URL patterns used throughout ModernAPI
Resource Collection Patterns
GET /api/usersGet all users (paginated)GET /api/users/{id}Get specific userPOST /api/usersCreate new userPUT /api/users/{id}Update entire userDELETE /api/users/{id}Deactivate user✓ Good URL Examples
/api/users/api/users/123/profile/api/products?category=electronics/api/orders/456/items✗ Avoid These Patterns
/api/getUsers/api/user_profile/123/api/products/getByCategory/api/deleteOrder/456