The age-old debate of "chicken or egg" has found a new battleground in API development: code-first versus design-first. Let's settle this argument once and for all.
What is API Design First Vs Code First?
As the name implies, Code First is the oldest trick in the book to get the client on board the quickest, but can lead to inconsistent documentation and misaligned user needs.
Whereas Design First is a more time-consuming approach, resulting in clearer APIs and better teamwork, it can be overly complex.
Let's learn more about these approaches.
Why is API Documentation Important?
When developing APIs, one critical area often overlooked is the initial user interaction before the final product is complete. Many developers dive straight into coding, but this could lead to a disconnect between what they build and what users truly need. As the API evolves, user feedback is essential, and relying solely on a lengthy feedback loop—where input comes only after significant code has been written—often results in inefficiencies.
Code-First: Faster Development
The code-first development is like building a house without any plans. You start by laying the foundation and putting up walls, then later decide where the windows and doors should go. While this method can be exciting for those who prefer to feel the code beneath their fingertips, it can also lead to problems for others to keep up with.
By playing devil's advocate, Code-First has its single benefit which is a faster development process that results in faster onboarding of clients this is why this approach is practiced often and is popular.
But this speed can create issues. Without a clear plan, the API can become messy with inconsistent features, extra endpoints, and confusing code.
Let's Look at the Pros and Cons of the same.
Pros:
- Faster development (Quicker Client Onboarding)
Cons:
- Outdated and inaccurate documentation
- Wasted time and effort building APIs that don't meet user needs
- Difficulty keeping code and documentation in sync
