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API Antipatterns

(Compiled from AWS, Azure, Google and and other community sources)

The following are antipatterns to avoid:

Avoid:​

  • Not having clear, consistent naming conventions:
    • Inconsistent naming conventions can lead to confusion and make it more difficult for developers to use and maintain your API.
  • Overcomplicating the API:
    • Overcomplicating the API by exposing too many endpoints or providing too many options can make it more difficult to use and understand.
  • Ignoring versioning:
    • Failing to version your API can result in backward-incompatible changes that break existing integrations and cause unexpected behavior.
  • Not handling errors properly:
    • Failing to provide clear error messages and handling errors properly can make it more difficult to troubleshoot issues and can lead to unexpected behavior.
  • Inconsistently handling authentication and authorization:
    • Inconsistently handling authentication and authorization can result in security vulnerabilities and make it more difficult to manage access to your API.
  • Not providing adequate documentation:
    • Failing to provide adequate documentation can make it more difficult for developers to use and integrate with your API.
  • Providing too much or too little data:
    • Providing too much or too little data in your responses can result in increased network traffic and slow down response times, or make it more difficult for developers to use and integrate with your API.
  • Failing to properly design for scalability:
    • Failing to properly design your API for scalability can result in performance issues and unexpected behavior under high loads.
  • Not considering performance:
    • Failing to consider performance when designing your API can result in slow response times and increased costs.
  • Not providing appropriate security measures:
    • Failing to provide appropriate security measures, such as encryption, can result in security vulnerabilities and potential data breaches.

AWS API Gateway Antipatterns​

Avoid:​

  • Not using caching:
    • Failing to use caching can result in slower response times and increased costs.
  • Not configuring throttling and quotas:
    • Failing to configure throttling and quotas can result in performance issues and unexpected behavior under high loads.
  • Not implementing appropriate authentication and authorization:
    • Failing to implement appropriate authentication and authorization can result in security vulnerabilities and make it more difficult to manage access to your API.
  • Overcomplicating the API:
    • Overcomplicating the API by exposing too many endpoints or providing too many options can make it more difficult to use and understand.
  • Not handling errors properly:
    • Failing to provide clear error messages and handling errors properly can make it more difficult to troubleshoot issues and can lead to unexpected behavior.
  • Not properly designing for scalability:
    • Failing to properly design your API for scalability can result in performance issues and unexpected behavior under high loads.
  • Not considering performance:
    • Failing to consider performance when designing your API can result in slow response times and increased costs.
  • Not providing adequate documentation:
    • Failing to provide adequate documentation can make it more difficult for developers to use and integrate with your API.
  • Failing to version your API:
    • Failing to version your API can result in backward-incompatible changes that break existing integrations and cause unexpected behavior.
  • Not properly securing your API:
    • Failing to properly secure your API, such as by not using HTTPS or using weak authentication and authorization methods, can result in security vulnerabilities and potential data breaches.
  • Not properly handling cross-origin resource sharing (CORS):
    • Failing to properly handle CORS can lead to security vulnerabilities and unexpected behavior in cross-domain requests.
  • Not properly handling input validation:
    • Failing to properly validate user input can result in security vulnerabilities and potential data breaches.
  • Over-reliance on API Gateway features:
    • Over-reliance on API Gateway features can result in vendor lock-in and make it more difficult to migrate to other platforms or services.
  • Not properly monitoring and logging:
    • Failing to properly monitor and log your API can make it more difficult to troubleshoot issues and identify performance or security issues.
  • Not properly managing access and permissions:
    • Failing to properly manage access and permissions can result in security vulnerabilities and make it more difficult to manage access to your API.