Best Practices for Naming REST API URIs: Difference between revisions
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https://example.com/users | https://example.com/users | ||
https:://example.com/ | https:://example.com/users/{id} | ||
=Singular or Plural= | =Singular or Plural= | ||
Revision as of 00:07, 14 February 2024
Internal
Use Nouns to Name URIs
A REST API endpoint has a URL at which it can be accessed: https://example.com. Subdirectories of the URL denote different resources, which are accessed with URIs.
In general, URIs should be named with nouns that specify the content of the resource, rather than using a verb for the function performed. This is because CRUD operations should already be specified in the HTTP request.
Example:
https://example.com/users
https:://example.com/users/{id}
Singular or Plural
In general, you should name the URIs that return collections using plural, and URIs that return an individual element with singular.
Separate Words with Hyphens
When a REST API endpoint contains multiple words, separate the words with hyphens. It's a good way to make the URI easier to read and is a universal method that everyone can understand. It's generally accepted that a hyphen is clearer and more user-friendly than using underscores (first_name) or camel case (firstName), which is discouraged due to its use of capital letters.