When you buy a new product it comes with a manual to instruct you in how to use it. You wouldn’t take home and unbox your new games console without expecting there to be a manual for setup, use, and maintenance. When customers don’t know how to use products, they are less likely to be retained by the company or buy other products in the future.
An API (application programming interface) is no different. When you have developers learning how to use an API, they need a set of instructions in order to be successful. Rather than being faced with an abundance of tickets submitted to your support team, documentation offers an interface between your company and end users.
API providers are obligated to supply API documentation that is relevant, specific and fresh, in keeping with the latest developments in your product. It doesn’t matter how good your API is if developers don’t understand how to put it to use.
What is API Documentation?
API documentation is a set of instructions that tells developers and other interested parties how to use your API and its services for a specific end. It usually contains code examples, tutorials, and details about the functions, classes and return types. It essentially provides developers with all the information they need to build integrations with the API and make API calls with the software.
API calls are a type of request that is made by the third-party developer to the platform’s API. The API calls are described in the documentation and tells the developer exactly what they can ask the API to do and how.
API documentation clearly explains its endpoints, interprets why you’d want to use them, and gives very specific examples of how you’d want to use them.
APIs are important because it means developers don’t have to keep building the same software solutions over and over from scratch. APIs mean developers can take advantage of other platforms that have already been created and integrate their functionality into their own programs. Many big platforms have APIs, including Twitter and GitHub.
Types of API
For the Team
You might have an API that is internal to your company and therefore intended to be used only by members of your team. The purpose of this type of API would be to streamline the transfer of data between teams and systems, so your company’s internal developers are the ones who would be in charge of using this API.
For the Partners
Partner APIs are shared outside the organization but only with those who have a business relationship with the company who is providing the API. Only authorized clients have access to the API and as a consequence security measures tend to be more stringent with this type of API.
For the End-users
APIs for end-users or open APIs can be used by any developer without any restrictions. These types of APIs don’t have particularly strict authentication and authorization measures because the providers want the API to be adopted by as many developers as possible. Sometimes this type of API will be available for a subscription fee which is tiered depending on the number of API calls being made.
Who Writes API documentation?
Naturally, as developers are the ones who actually build the APIs they are often tasked with writing the documentation. Unfortunately, developer-driven documentation can often be overly technical because developers are so close to the subject matter. Documentation written by developers may also fall by the wayside as developers are actually focused on building and maintaining the API.
For this reason, many companies employ professional technical writers to create their API documentation. Technical writers have the technical ability to understand the API and the creative skills to be able to write engaging content for end users who are developers.
The API developers supply the technical writer with the information they need to be able to document the API accurately. If there are any parts missing from the documentation the developers can help the technical writer fill them in, with the end result that you have a document that is clear and accessible for its target audience.
Benefits of API Documentation
For providers who want to offer an API, developing documentation can have many important benefits for your organization.
Enhances the API’s Developer Experience
First and foremost, API documentation improves the developer experience. It doesn’t matter how good your API is if potential developers don’t understand how to use it. Good API documentation helps developers understand the different endpoints it has to offer and examples of particular use cases. When you improve the developer experience you increase the number of potential users you are able to attract to your product.
Reduces Time Spent Onboarding Internal Developers or External Partners Good API documentation means your support and success teams need to spend less time onboarding new internal developers or external partners. New users of your API have all the information they need to get started with your platform and set themselves up for success. When the processes are documented it removes the need for particular team members to intervene.
Efficient product upkeep and faster updates
When you document your API effectively it means you can manage the upkeep of your product and update it more quickly. With API documentation you know exactly what your product is meant to do and how it is supposed to help end users. Documentation gives you a more intimate view of the API and allows you to roll out faster updates that will be adopted by users.
Aids Both Internal and External Users in Comprehending the API and its Capabilities
One of the main benefits of API documentation is that it helps both internal and external users to understand the API, what it can be used for, and how you can deploy the API for your own ends. If you don’t explain the potential capabilities of the API then new users won’t know how to use it and you’ll experience slow product adoption. Potential users of an API use the documentation as a way to make the decision whether or not to use your product.
The Go-to Source for Team Members to Refer to API Goals
Internal team members in your organization can refer to the API documentation when they want to familiarize themselves with the goals of your API. Even those who weren’t directly involved in building the API or writing the documentation will understand the intended purpose of the API and be able to support the work of the API development team.
Allows to identify bugs quickly and issues
When you document the API this allows you to quickly identify bugs and issues as a result of testing the API to document all its features. If your API doesn’t work as designed this feedback can be passed on to the API development team who can then take steps to fix any problems. The result is a more professional and effective API that works as expected.
The Structure of API Documentation – Design and Function
An Outline
The outline of your API documentation is also known as the overview. It contains a summary of the API and its purpose, and may inform potential users about the benefits of using this API over others.
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