Advanced Topic 38 of 50 Software Engineering
API Design
Crafting clear stable interfaces between systems.
How it works
Good APIs are consistent, predictable, versioned and documented (OpenAPI), with clear errors, pagination and idempotent operations where possible.
Where it is used
Public and internal service interfaces.
Common pitfall
Breaking changes without versioning.
Where it fits in the course
API Design is topic 38 of 50 in Software Engineering, rated Advanced. It follows CQRS and Event Sourcing. The next topic is REST.
Practice and explore
- Open the interactive lesson, with a mini quiz.
- Take the Software Engineering quiz.
How to study this topic
- Read the explanation above and restate the definition in your own words.
- Open the interactive lesson and answer its mini quiz.
- Read the common pitfall, then write a short example that avoids it.
- Check your understanding in the Software Engineering quiz, and revisit the topic if you miss a question.
Frequently asked questions
What is API Design?
Crafting clear stable interfaces between systems. It belongs to Software Engineering and is an advanced-level topic.
Where do people use API Design?
Public and internal service interfaces.
What is the most common mistake with API Design?
Breaking changes without versioning.
What should I learn before this topic?
Start with CQRS and Event Sourcing, the topic just before it in Software Engineering.
How can I practice it?
Answer the mini quiz in the interactive lesson, then take the Software Engineering quiz.
Is API Design hard to learn?
It is an Advanced topic. Expect to read the explanation more than once and to connect it with earlier topics. Working through a small example by hand helps most.
How long does it take to learn API Design?
Most learners can read the explanation and finish the interactive lesson in under an hour. Fluency comes from applying the idea, so plan a few short practice sessions with the quiz.
Which topics are related to API Design?
CQRS and Event Sourcing, REST, Event-Driven Architecture are closely connected. The full list is in the related topics section of this page.
What should I study after API Design?
Continue with REST, the next topic in Software Engineering.
Related topics
- CQRS and Event Sourcing (Software Engineering)
- REST (Software Engineering)
- Event-Driven Architecture (Software Engineering)
- GraphQL (Software Engineering)
- Responsive Design (Web Development)
- Low-Power Design (Mobile, Embedded & IoT)
- Mechanism Design (Emerging & Frontier Topics)