What are the key components of good API documentation?
Good API documentation should include:
- Overview of the API’s capabilities and features
- Getting started guide with authentication details
- Detailed reference for each endpoint with parameters, example requests/responses, errors etc
- Usage guides and tutorials for common tasks
- Changelog and versioning details
Use a simple and consistent format like OpenAPI/Swagger. Make it easy for developers to quickly find what they need.
How can you generate API docs from source code?
Tools like apiDoc and Django REST Framework can auto-generate API docs from comments/docstrings in the source code.
For example in Python:
"""
@api {get} /api/users Get users
@apiName GetUsers
@apiGroup Users
@apiSuccess {Object[]} users List of user objects
"""This parses out the endpoint, method, parameters etc to generate API docs automatically.
What format should API docs be published in?
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HTML is great for hosting detailed reference docs on a website. Allows formatting and custom styling.
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Markdown is lightweight and easy to write. Can be rendered to HTML or hosted on GitHub/GitLab wikis.
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OpenAPI (Swagger) is the standard format for describing REST APIs. Can be used to generate interactive documentation.
How can you publish and host API docs?
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Host static HTML/Markdown files on GitHub Pages, GitLab Pages or a documentation site like ReadMe.io
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Use Swagger UI to render interactive API docs from an OpenAPI spec
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Include documentation directly in the API response using custom endpoints
Make sure to version docs and keep them up to date with API changes.
What should you include in usage guides and tutorials?
In addition to reference docs, provide guides and tutorials to:
- Onboard new developers with “Getting Started” guide
- Explain authentication and setup
- Provide examples for common use cases and flows
- Include sample requests, responses, schemas, error handling
- Use tools like Postman to generate code snippets
- Create sandbox/demo environment for hands-on testing
How can you keep API docs updated?
- Automate as much as possible through doc generation tools
- Include docstrings/comments with docs in code
- Implement a reviews process before releasing API changes
- Provide ways for consumers to give feedback on docs
- Use versioning so old documentation is archived
Making docs a priority and keeping them updated improves developer experience.
Tips for writing better API documentation
- Focus on developers’ needs and use cases
- Keep language simple, clear and concise
- Use visuals like diagrams and flowcharts
- Follow a consistent documentation style/format
- Provide code samples in different languages
- Make docs easy to navigate and search
- Include FAQs and Troubleshooting guide
- Actively maintain and improve docs over time
Great docs make an API easier and more enjoyable to use.
References
ref:
- http://techslides.com/top-10-free-templates-for-api-documenation
- https://stoplight.io/api-documentation-guide/
- https://www.altexsoft.com/blog/api-documentation/
- https://github.com/Medium/medium-api-docs#2-authentication
- https://blog.bit.ai/how-to-create-api-documentation/
- https://www.django-rest-framework.org/topics/documenting-your-api/
- https://www.section.io/engineering-education/django-api-documentation/