Free API Documentation Protocol Template
API Documentation Protocol
I. Introduction
In the rapidly evolving landscape of software development, having clear and comprehensive API documentation is paramount. This protocol serves as a foundational guide for developers to seamlessly integrate our API into their applications, ensuring efficient communication and functionality.
II. API Overview
The API enables developers to access and manipulate data within our platform. Below is an overview of its key features:
Feature |
Description |
Endpoint |
Method |
Authentication |
---|---|---|---|---|
User Management |
Create, read, update, and delete users |
/api/v1/users |
POST, GET, PUT, DELETE |
Bearer Token |
Data Retrieval |
Fetch data records |
/api/v1/data |
GET |
Bearer Token |
Reports Generation |
Generate various reports |
/api/v1/reports |
POST |
Bearer Token |
Notifications |
Manage user notifications |
/api/v1/notifications |
GET, POST |
Bearer Token |
Settings Management |
Update system settings |
/api/v1/settings |
PUT |
Bearer Token |
III. Authentication
To ensure secure access to the API, the following authentication methods are required:
-
Bearer Token: Must be included in the headers of each request.
IV. Error Handling
When interacting with the API, developers may encounter various errors. Below are some common error codes:
Error Code |
Message |
Description |
Resolution |
Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
400 |
Bad Request |
The request was invalid. |
Check request format. |
/api/v1/users (missing field) |
401 |
Unauthorized |
Authentication failed. |
Verify token. |
Invalid token provided. |
404 |
Not Found |
The resource could not be found. |
Check the endpoint URL. |
/api/v1/nonexistent |
500 |
Internal Server Error |
An unexpected error occurred. |
Contact support. |
- |
V. Rate Limiting
To ensure fair usage, the API implements rate limiting. The following limits apply:
Limit Type |
Requests per Minute |
Requests per Hour |
Description |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
General Usage |
100 |
5000 |
Standard rate limit. |
Reset every hour. |
Bulk Operations |
20 |
300 |
For batch processing. |
Reset every minute. |
VI. Conclusion
A well-structured API Documentation Protocol is essential for empowering developers and fostering a collaborative environment. For any questions or support, feel free to reach out at [YOUR EMAIL].
Prepared by: [YOUR NAME]
[YOUR COMPANY NAME]
[YOUR COMPANY NUMBER]
[YOUR COMPANY ADDRESS]
[YOUR COMPANY WEBSITE]
Date: December 1, 2050