api-design

To design a REST API with consistent resource naming, use plural, kebab-case paths and map operations to standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PATCH, PUT, and DELETE. This ensures predictable client interactions and reliable long-term maintainability.

Choose offset versus cursor pagination based on dataset size and navigation needs. Offset pagination works for smaller, random-access datasets, while cursor pagination handles large, dynamically changing collections more efficiently without skipping records.

Map REST API responses to standard HTTP status codes like 201 with a Location header for resource creation, 204 for deletes, and 400, 401, 403, 404, 409, 422, or 429 for specific client errors to standardize response contracts.

The best way to version a REST API is via URL paths combined with a clear deprecation timeline. This approach standardizes response shapes and allows clients to migrate smoothly while maintaining backward compatibility.

Implement secure API filtering and sorting by using query parameters for exact filtering versus search, and apply safe sorting with field whitelists. This prevents unauthorized data exposure and query injection risks.

Establish header-based rate limiting for public REST APIs by returning 429 status codes when limits are exceeded, and enforce baseline security controls including input validation, parameterized queries, and non-leaking error messages.