Best practices for REST API design

As backend engineers, we often focus on the technical intricacies of building APIs, but there’s one aspect that has a profound impact on usability and maintainability — API naming conventions. It’s easy to overlook, yet the way we name our API endpoints can significantly influence how intuitive and user-friendly our API becomes. Clear and descriptive API names not only make life easier for other developers but also ensure the longevity of our codebase.

Let’s explore how to craft effective API names, drawing on both industry best practices and personal experience.

1. Clarity Above All

API names should be self-explanatory. Developers should understand what an endpoint does just by looking at it, without needing to dive into documentation or code. This clarity is particularly important when APIs are being consumed by external teams or clients.

Consider the difference between /processData and /generateReport. The latter is far more specific. It indicates the action of creating a report, whereas the former could mean anything. Names that are too vague lead to confusion and unnecessary guesswork.

• Good Example: /createUser, /deleteOrder
• Bad Example: /processData, /doTask

Tip: When naming an endpoint, imagine a new developer joining your team. Would they understand what the endpoint does just by reading its name?

2. Consistency is Key

Uniformity across your API is vital for both usability and maintenance. Inconsistent naming creates cognitive overload and complicates the learning curve for anyone working with your API. Decide on a naming style and stick to it across the entire API.

For example, if you’re using plural nouns for resources (e.g., /users), ensure that this pattern is consistent across all endpoints, such as /orders, /products, and /transactions. Similarly, if your naming convention for actions includes verbs like get, create, or delete, make sure these are applied uniformly across your API.

Tip: Establish a clear naming convention early in the project. This saves time down the road when the API scales.

3. Use Correct HTTP Verbs

One of the most common mistakes is misusing HTTP methods, leading to redundant or confusing endpoint names. HTTP verbs (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) are designed to express the action, so there’s no need to include the action in the endpoint name itself.

Here’s how the verbs map to common actions:

• GET: Retrieve data from the server (e.g., /users to fetch a list of users).
• POST: Create a new resource (e.g., /orders to create a new order).
• PUT: Update an existing resource (e.g., /users/{id} to update user information).
• DELETE: Remove a resource (e.g., /products/{id} to delete a specific product).

Good Example:

• GET /users – retrieves a list of users.
• POST /users – creates a new user.
• PUT /users/{id} – updates user details.
• DELETE /users/{id} – deletes a user by ID.

Bad Example:

• GET /createUser – This confuses the purpose of the endpoint, as GET should retrieve data, not create it.

Tip: Let the HTTP method communicate the action. Focus on naming the resource, not the action.

4. Avoid Redundant Actions in Resource Names

Since HTTP methods already indicate what action is being taken, there’s no need to duplicate that information in the endpoint name. For instance, in a DELETE request, the action is implied, so including the verb “delete” in the endpoint path adds unnecessary complexity.

• Good Example: DELETE /users/{id}
• Bad Example: DELETE /deleteUser/{id}

Here, the method already tells us that a user is being deleted, so repeating the action in the resource name is redundant and can lead to confusion. Keep your resource names focused on nouns representing the entity or collection of entities you’re interacting with, and let the HTTP method handle the verb.

5. Structure for Scalability and Flexibility

When designing APIs, think long-term. Your API may start small, but it could evolve to support more complex use cases over time. Plan for scalability in your endpoint structure by organizing related resources logically.

For example, when dealing with nested resources, follow a hierarchical pattern that’s easy to navigate:

• /users/{userId}/orders – Retrieves orders for a specific user.
• /users/{userId}/orders/{orderId} – Retrieves a specific order for the user.

This structure makes the API easy to understand and prepares it for future expansion.

6. Handle Versioning Wisely

As your API evolves, new versions may be necessary to introduce changes without breaking existing clients. Use clear versioning in your endpoints to differentiate between versions.

• Good Example: /v1/users, /v2/orders
• Bad Example: /users, /users_v2

Versioning should be included in the URL or the headers, but avoid embedding it directly into resource names. A consistent approach to versioning ensures your API remains clean and predictable.

Conclusion

API naming is more than just a technical detail — it’s critical to creating intuitive, scalable, and maintainable APIs. By following principles of clarity, consistency, correct use of HTTP verbs, and avoiding redundant actions in names, you can make your APIs easier to use and extend. Think long-term when structuring your APIs to ensure they can grow as your project evolves.

A well-named API not only saves time but also enhances collaboration across teams. Mastering the art of API naming helps create powerful and user-friendly software.