api-versioning

To deprecate a REST API version safely, implement a deprecation workflow using Sunset headers and clear timelines. This approach announces the deprecation and sets a specific sunset date, ensuring consumers can migrate smoothly without sudden disruptions.

The best way to version a REST API with breaking changes is selecting a versioning strategy—URL path, header, or query parameter—and applying it consistently. Classifying changes as breaking or non-breaking first informs whether a new version is required.

Consumer-driven contract testing ensures API compatibility during evolution by validating that changes do not violate existing consumer expectations. This automated testing prevents breaking changes from reaching production and maintains integration trust.

You need to use Sunset headers in API versioning when managing the lifecycle of deprecated versions. They communicate a specific sunset date to clients, providing a clear timeline for when the old API version will be permanently removed.

Breaking API changes disrupt existing consumers by altering the contract, requiring a new version or migration. Non-breaking changes are backward-compatible additions that safely evolve the API without impacting current client integrations.

Yes, you can use header versioning, URL path versioning, or query parameter versioning. The choice depends on your API evolution strategy, as each approach manages version selection differently within the HTTP request structure.