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WeAreDevelopers LIVE • Aug 28, 2020

API Design - Getting Started

Alen Pokos

Stop reinventing data conventions. Treat your API as a stateless enabler. Learn how standardized JSON frameworks build resilient, maintainable backend ecosystems.

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#1 about 2 min

Defining web APIs and their primary business purposes

Connecting separate application spaces by defining standardized web interfaces that achieve specific business objectives.

#2 about 4 min

Understanding the core concepts of API design

Navigating disagreements around application systems by defining specific business purposes, usability bounds, and technical constraints.

#3 about 5 min

Balancing the client, API, and backend pillars

Ensuring reliable system architecture by keeping the client, API, and backend functioning cohesively without tight technical coupling.

#4 about 4 min

Leveraging the JSON API standard for data structure

Resolving formatting indecisions by utilizing the JSON API standard to rapidly orient relationships and structure documents.

#5 about 4 min

Designing a user registration process with separate endpoints

Removing complex multi-step state tracking from the server by utilizing separate endpoints that shift validation responsibility to client applications.

#6 about 4 min

Evolving listing resource designs for classified platforms

Adapting to new data requirements by keeping items isolated and associating complex seller profiles through explicit resource relationships.

#7 about 2 min

Implementing user-specific filtering and contextual endpoints

Tackling personal data retrieval challenges by providing standard identifier filters and context-aware URL pathways.

#8 about 4 min

Modeling conversations and messages to reduce resource redundancy

Preventing endpoint overload by generalizing seller and buyer identities into reusable conversation participants and implicit resource bindings.

#9 about 1 min

Managing resource types to prevent API maintenance complexities

Avoiding maintenance nightmares caused by overly specific endpoint types by consolidating participants into a generic system entity.

#10 about 2 min

Designing polymorphic resource endpoints for search functionalities

Returning diverse search matches efficiently by leveraging relationship wrappers that identify unique document varieties in a shared endpoint payload.

#11 about 3 min

Establishing core principles for data focus and naming

Escaping theoretical gridlock by standardizing naming layouts and prioritizing clear data provision over flawless architectural designs.

#12 about 1 min

Clarifying the boundary between requirements and API design

Maintaining scope by viewing API engineering as a direct tool to solve core product requirements instead of inventing new expectations.

#13 about 2 min

Tools for API documentation and relationship visualization

Improving system comprehensibility by employing external tools to test requests and map out complete resource relationship diagrams.

#14 about 2 min

Adopting standard error handling and endpoint testing practices

Guaranteeing reliable client responses by integrating standardized semantic status codes and automated postman testing procedures.

#15 about 1 min

Comparing GraphQL capabilities against the JSON API standard

Evaluating technology trade-offs by choosing between the unconstrained flexibility of GraphQL and the rapid delivery of standardized JSON structures.

#16 about 2 min

Choosing readable enum values over numeric backend identifiers

Preventing system confusion by substituting internal database numeric integers with human-readable string values for public usage.

#17 about 2 min

Optimizing performance across JSON methodologies and backend stacks

Overcoming endpoint slowness by recognizing that performance ultimately relies on targeted caching and specialized backend stack optimizations.

#18 about 2 min

Handling data pagination and endpoint versioning strategies

Structuring large datasets for rapid iteration by implementing systematic document pagination and transparent routing patterns.

#19 about 2 min

Applying business rules and permissions within API standards

Imposing correct boundaries by translating standard business terminology into universally recognized HTTP rules and permission constraints.

Matching moments

1:40 min

Summarizing key engineering lessons for platform API development

Anto Anto · WWC 2024

3:32 min

Designing outstanding APIs with simplicity, safety, and evolvability

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1:02 min

Designing use-case driven APIs and consolidating broad endpoints

Pratim Bhosale Pratim Bhosale · WWC 2025

3:35 min

Evaluating benefits and drawbacks of common API formats

Alexis Yushin Alexis Yushin · WWC 2024

43 sec

Establishing a concrete vision for REST API development

Wekoslav Stefanovski Wekoslav Stefanovski · WWC Europe 2026

2:46 min

Standardizing design rules using the API Stylebook

Michael Jaeger Michael Jaeger · Europe 2026 Virtual

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