Workflow Templates: API Development Checklist

Define clear API objectives and target audience

Design a consistent, RESTful API interface

Use API modeling languages like Swagger or RAML for documentation

Implement strong authentication, using OAuth or API keys

Ensure all data transfers use HTTPS to secure data in transit

Validate and sanitize all input to prevent common security threats

Follow API-first development practices

Write unit and integration tests for each API endpoint

Use API testing tools like Postman for manual testing and debugging

Provide comprehensive and understandable API documentation

Version the API to manage changes and maintain backward compatibility

Communicate deprecations and changes clearly to consumers

Optimize database interactions and queries for performance

Implement caching strategies to reduce load and improve response times

Design the API for scalability, considering load balancers and horizontal scaling

Monitor API usage and performance metrics

Set up logging and error tracking for proactive maintenance

Regularly review and update the API to address any technical debt or emerging issues

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API Development Checklist