What is API Document and how important is it? Let's find out through the following article right now!
It can be said that, in the current digital age, API plays an extremely important role and contributes greatly to the development of useful applications for human life.
Therefore, Developers have to work with API more often.
And whether it's Frontend or Backend, once working with API, every Developer needs Document.
This is the most effective “means of communication” between people using the API.
What is API Document?
This is a type of manual document with specialized content, full of detailed technical information on how to use and integrate the system's API to achieve the highest efficiency.
Functions, classes, return types, arguments… are essential information that is always included in the API Document, along with relevant examples.
API Document is usually for Developers, written in a concise way to make it easier for them to read and understand.
It provides methods that allow people to rely on it and make improvements as add new functionality to an existing project.
How is good API Documentation?
Every Developer is already too busy dealing with their daily complex programming “challenges” and problems.
That's why Developers turn to APIs to get things done faster and more productively.
It is also means that Developers need to immediately “imbibe” the value and usage of the API when reading the accompanying Document.
So creating a comprehensive and easy-to-follow API Document for everyone is a very important issue.
API Document good or bad is often judged on many different aspects, but it should certainly include a full range of detailed instructions described in a succinct way.
Besides, good API Document should also provide examples and explanations for every API parameter, call, return data in each case...
Important role of good API Document
It can be commented that good API Document is the foundation for Developers to have a better programming experience.
Good Document is very important because it helps people know how to integrate the API quickly, avoid unnecessary errors in the process of use and bring high efficiency for work.
An API no matter how “genuine” but Document is so bad, no one wants to use it!
And if they do, imagine the amount of time and effort you have to spend explaining every time someone has a failure to integrate!
In general, a good API Document not only benefits users, but also has a huge impact on service providers:
- Bring more value to the service.
- Make users feel want buying and accepting to use the service immediately.
- Increase your chances of attracting more customers.
- Building a level of prestige and quality brand, enhance competitiveness compared to many other competitors in the market.
- Helps save time and costs in supporting, fixing errors for users.
- Easier fault detection and quicker maintenance.
