Backend API RESTful Design

When to use this skill

• Designing APIs
• Creating endpoints
• Following REST standards
• API consistency

Workflow

• Use nouns for resources
• Use HTTP methods correctly
• Return proper status codes
• Version APIs
• Use plural nouns

Instructions

REST Principles

GET    /api/users      - List users
GET    /api/users/1    - Get user
POST   /api/users      - Create user
PUT    /api/users/1    - Update user
PATCH  /api/users/1    - Partial update
DELETE /api/users/1    - Delete user

Nested Resources

GET    /api/users/1/orders        - User's orders
POST   /api/users/1/orders        - Create order for user
GET    /api/orders/123            - Single order (flat)

Status Codes

<?php

return $this->respond($data, 200);        // OK
return $this->respondCreated($data);      // 201
return $this->respondNoContent();         // 204
return $this->failValidationErrors($e);   // 400
return $this->failUnauthorized();         // 401
return $this->failForbidden();            // 403
return $this->failNotFound();             // 404
return $this->failServerError($message);  // 500

Resources

• Use nouns, not verbs
• HTTP methods for actions
• Proper status codes