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API Versioning
Strategies for managing changes to APIs while maintaining backwards compatibility for existing clients.
In-Depth Explanation
API versioning manages the evolution of APIs over time, allowing changes and improvements while minimising disruption to existing clients. Good versioning strategies balance innovation with stability.
Versioning strategies:
- URL path: /v1/users, /v2/users
- Query parameter: /users?version=2
- Header: Accept-Version: v2
- Content negotiation: Accept: application/vnd.api.v2+json
Version types:
- Major versions: Breaking changes (v1 → v2)
- Minor versions: New features, backwards compatible
- Patch versions: Bug fixes only
Best practices:
- Document all versions clearly
- Provide migration guides for major versions
- Give clients time to migrate (deprecation period)
- Monitor version usage to phase out old versions
- Maintain at least one prior major version
Breaking changes:
- Removing or renaming fields
- Changing field types
- Changing URL structure
- Changing authentication
Business Context
Good API versioning enables continuous improvement while maintaining trust with API consumers who depend on stability.
How Clever Ops Uses This
We design versioning strategies for Australian business APIs, ensuring they can evolve without breaking integrations.
Example Use Case
"Releasing API v2 with improved response format while maintaining v1 for six months, giving clients time to update their integrations."