How do you follow the REST maturity model to improve your RESTful API?

Represents the highest level of RESTful maturity. Integrates hypermedia controls within API responses (e.g., links, actions). Allows clients to navigate the API dynamically without prior knowledge of all endpoints. Responses include links to related resources and actions that clients can perform next.

At this initial level, the API typically uses a single endpoint that doesn't adhere to REST principles. Requests and responses might be in various data formats, often using XML or JSON, and operations might be exclusively based on POST requests. Improvement Steps: Transition from a single endpoint to multiple resource-oriented endpoints. Standardize the data formats used (preferably JSON). Move solutions towards stateless interactions.

Great breakdown of the REST maturity model! Level 3 (Hypermedia/HATEOAS) is a game-changer for discoverability but often overlooked. Curious—how many teams actually implement it fully? 🤔 Solid roadmap for API evolution.

In this level, your API starts identifying resources with URIs, with each resource representing a distinct object or entity in your system. Improvement Steps: Design your API around resources. Each resource should have a unique URI. Define clear and meaningful URIs that reflect the object model (e.g., /users, /orders). Ensure that each resource can be independently addressed.

In my opinion, it is also beneficial to define the OPTIONS verb to request information about the communication options available at the target server.

This level utilizes standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to interact with resources, which allows for a more semantic interaction. Improvement Steps: Align CRUD operations with the appropriate HTTP methods: GET for retrieving data POST for creating new resources PUT for updating existing resources DELETE for removing resources Ensure proper use of HTTP status codes to reflect the outcome of API requests (e.g., 200, 404, 500).

I feel, this is over-simplified model and does not cover few key features of the REST API design. HTTP headers are used to convey information about the resource or resource metadata. Query parameters is a powerful way of adding pagination, filtering, sorting and searching capability in the API. This greatly enhances the usability of API. HTTP response codes can be used to convey diverse outcome of the API invocation and makes it easier for API consumer to handle the API response. These features should be somewhere between level 2 and level 3.

At this highest level, the API provides hypermedia links within its responses, guiding clients on available actions and related resources (HATEOAS - Hypermedia as the Engine of Application State). Improvement Steps: Embed hypermedia links in responses so clients can discover related resources and actions. Document the hypermedia controls clearly so that developers understand how to navigate your API. Use standards like HAL (Hypertext Application Language) or JSON-LD to structure your responses.

To improve a RESTful API, follow the REST maturity model: 1. Use resources and HTTP methods (Level 1). 2. Use HTTP methods correctly (Level 2). 3. Implement hypermedia controls (Level 3). As a contributor, I'd focus on: 1. Implementing HATEOAS. 2. Using HTTP methods correctly. 3. Documenting resources. 4. Testing and providing feedback.