How to write excellent API documentation.
A thread:
A thread:
Well-written API documentation is a vital part of the API building process.
Without clear documentation, people trying to use your API service may be deterred because it isn't straightforward to understand.
Good API documentation will include the following:
Without clear documentation, people trying to use your API service may be deterred because it isn't straightforward to understand.
Good API documentation will include the following:
📌An overview of the service your API provides
A quick but precise explanation of your API will grab the reader's attention and make them want to know more. This could also be a “Getting Started” section.
A quick but precise explanation of your API will grab the reader's attention and make them want to know more. This could also be a “Getting Started” section.
📌Example code snippets in various languages.
It's considered good practice to provide examples in as many programming languages as possible, or at least the most commonly used ones, to demonstrate how to use them.
It's considered good practice to provide examples in as many programming languages as possible, or at least the most commonly used ones, to demonstrate how to use them.
📌Tutorial explanations
Along with code snippets, explain what the various methods/parameters/resources do. Include sample HTTP requests and expected responses.
Along with code snippets, explain what the various methods/parameters/resources do. Include sample HTTP requests and expected responses.
📌Authorization information
Provide information on how to access API credentials, API keys, and tokens. Remind users of all the basic API security best practices.
Provide information on how to access API credentials, API keys, and tokens. Remind users of all the basic API security best practices.
📌Error and debugging details
Include all status codes that can be returned by your API and at which endpoints they may occur. Offer solutions to common errors.
Include all status codes that can be returned by your API and at which endpoints they may occur. Offer solutions to common errors.
📌Links to external resources
Your docs should be accessible to people of all skill levels. If your API requires using third-party tools (e.g., OAuth, npm), provide links to educate about such external resources.
Your docs should be accessible to people of all skill levels. If your API requires using third-party tools (e.g., OAuth, npm), provide links to educate about such external resources.
Here are additional sections you can add to make docs more comprehensive:
- FAQs section
- Comments section
- Glossary
- A contact section
- FAQs section
- Comments section
- Glossary
- A contact section
Things to avoid when writing documentation:
- Large blocks of text only
- Allowing access to only registered users
- Unstructured documentation
- Writing that is too technical
- Large blocks of text only
- Allowing access to only registered users
- Unstructured documentation
- Writing that is too technical
As a final point, don’t forget to maintain your documentation.
You will make significant changes to your API as it evolves, so remember to update your docs accordingly.
You will make significant changes to your API as it evolves, so remember to update your docs accordingly.
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