What are some effective URI versioning strategies for APIs?

What are some effective URI versioning strategies for APIs?

There are several URI versioning strategies you can use for APIs, such as path versioning, query parameter versioning, and header versioning. Path versioning is the most common, where the version is included in the URL path, like /v1/resource.

Can you explain the pros and cons of path versioning?

Sure! The pros of path versioning include clear visibility of the version in the URL and ease of caching. However, it can lead to URL bloat if not managed properly, and clients may need to update their URLs when a new version is released.

What about query parameter versioning?

Query parameter versioning involves adding a version parameter to the query string, like /resource?version=1. It's flexible and doesn't change the base URL, but it can be less intuitive and harder to cache.

Which strategy do you recommend for a new API?

For a new API, I recommend starting with path versioning. It's straightforward and widely understood, making it easier for developers to adopt.