API Management Use Case

Use Case: API Management Versioning with Versioning Tools API

Context

Managing versions of APIs is essential for ensuring backward compatibility, tracking changes, and coordinating deployments. This use case illustrates how API developers and administrators can use the Versioning Tools API to automate versioning. The process involves retrieving the next semantic version, updating API version documentation, tagging the version in the version control system (if applicable), and preparing the API for deployment.

Scenario

An API developer has completed new features or updates to an API. To prepare for the release, the developer needs to:

1. Retrieve the next semantic version from the Versioning Tools API.

2. Update the version information in the API documentation and configuration.

3. Tag the version in the version control system (if applicable).

4. Prepare the API for deployment.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Retrieve the Next Version Identifier

The developer needs to obtain the next semantic version using the Versioning Tools API.

Command:

curl -X 'POST' \
  'https://api.versioning.tools/v1/SemVer/myApiService?apiKey=YOUR_API_KEY' \
  -H 'accept: */*'

Explanation:

• myApiService: Replace with your service ID for the API.

• YOUR_API_KEY: Replace with your API key.

Response:

{
  "version": "2.1.0"
}

The response provides the next version number, such as 2.1.0.

2. Update Version Information in API Documentation and Configuration

Update the version information in your API documentation and configuration files to reflect the new version.

For API Documentation:

1. Update API Specification:

   • If you use an API specification format like OpenAPI (Swagger), update the version field in your specification file (openapi.yaml or swagger.json).

     Example:

     openapi: 3.0.0
     info:
       title: My API
       version: 2.1.0

2. Update Documentation Files:

   • If you maintain separate documentation files (e.g., Markdown or HTML), update the version number accordingly.

For API Configuration:

1. Update Configuration Files:

   • Update versioning information in your configuration files, such as those used for deployment or environment management.

     Example:

     {
       "apiVersion": "2.1.0"
     }

2. Update Endpoints:

   • Ensure that any endpoint paths or version indicators in your API configuration are updated if versioning is part of the URL or path structure.

     Example:

     • Previous: /api/v1/resource

     • New: /api/v2/resource

3. Tag the Version in Git (If Applicable)

If your API's source code is managed with Git, tag the version in the repository.

Command:

git tag v2.1.0 -m "Release version 2.1.0"

Explanation:

• v2.1.0: The version number obtained from the API.

• -m "Release version 2.1.0": A message describing the tag.

4. Push the Tag to the Remote Repository (If Applicable)

Push the new tag to the remote Git repository.

Command:

git push origin v2.1.0

Explanation:

• origin: The name of the remote repository.

• v2.1.0: The tag being pushed.

5. Prepare for Deployment

Prepare the API for deployment by:

1. Deploy Updated API:

   • Deploy the updated API configuration and documentation to your hosting environment. This may involve updating API gateways, servers, or cloud services.

2. Update Deployment Documentation:

   • Document the new version and any relevant changes in deployment records or release notes.

Example Workflow

Here’s an example workflow a developer might follow:

1. Complete Development:

   • Finalize coding and testing for the new API version.

2. Retrieve the Next Version:

   NEXT_VERSION=$(curl -X 'POST' \
     'https://api.versioning.tools/v1/SemVer/myApiService?apiKey=YOUR_API_KEY' \
     -H 'accept: */*')

3. Update Version Information:

   • Update API documentation (openapi.yaml or equivalent) and configuration files with NEXT_VERSION.

4. Tag the Repository (If Applicable):

   git tag "v$NEXT_VERSION" -m "Release version $NEXT_VERSION"

5. Push the Tag (If Applicable):

   git push origin "v$NEXT_VERSION"

6. Prepare for Deployment:

   • Deploy the updated API and update deployment documentation.

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