api-and-interface-design

To design REST API contracts that prevent misuse, define inputs, outputs, and types before implementation to make the interface self-documenting and stable. This approach reduces ambiguity and prevents consumers from depending on accidental behavior.

The best way to handle REST API error semantics consistently is to establish a single, predictable error format with a clear status-code mapping. This ensures clients can handle failures reliably across all endpoints.

Validate untrusted inputs at system boundaries by enforcing strict contract-first definitions for your REST or GraphQL endpoints. This ensures untrusted data is checked at the edges before entering internal module logic.

To evolve a public API without breaking existing consumers, prefer additive, backward-compatible changes over modifying existing contracts. This approach minimizes accidental commitments and maintains stable interface boundaries.

Yes, contract-first interface design works for frontend-backend type contracts and public component props. It defines predictable typing and naming conventions before implementation, ensuring stable module boundaries.

You should establish interface contracts for module boundaries when specifying REST or GraphQL endpoints, frontend-backend type contracts, or public component props to minimize misuse and reduce accidental commitments by consumers.