What Technical Writers Document in API Documentation
Discover the essential elements technical writers document in API documentation, including endpoints, methods, parameters, requests, responses, examples, error messages, authentication, and rate limits. Learn how API documentation serves as the crucial guidebook for developers.
Table of Contents
So, you’re probably sitting there thinking, “Okay, I know APIs are like menus or maps, but what exactly does a technical writer do with them? Do we just stare at code all day and hope inspiration strikes?”
Not quite! Let me guide you through this chapter, where we’ll uncover the role of technical writers in the API world. If you’re feeling a little lost in the terminology, don’t worry—that’s why we’re here. By the end of this, you’ll know exactly what technical writers document and why they’re the unsung heroes of the developer world.
APIs Are Like New Cities
Picture this: You’ve just landed in a brand-new city. You’re excited to explore, but you have no idea where the best coffee shops are, which streets to avoid, or how to navigate the subway system. Wandering around aimlessly might sound adventurous, but let’s be real—you’d much rather have a map, a guidebook, or even a friendly local to point you in the right direction.
Now, imagine an API as that new city. It’s full of possibilities, but without clear directions, it’s easy to get lost. That’s where we, the technical writers, step in. We create the “guidebook” for APIs, making sure developers know exactly how to get from point A to point B without a detour to frustration-ville.
The Reference API Document: Your Developer’s Guidebook
Let’s say your project team just created a shiny new endpoint (more on that in a second) and they turn to you, the technical writer, saying, “We need documentation!” Here’s what they really mean: “Please make sense of this technical stuff so developers don’t bombard us with questions.”
So, what exactly goes into this guidebook? Let’s break it down:
1. Endpoints: The API’s Address Book
Endpoints are the URLs developers use to interact with the API. Think of them as addresses on a map. Each endpoint leads to a specific resource or action. For example:
- GET
/users: Fetch a list of users. - POST
/users: Create a new user.
Endpoints tell developers, “Here’s where you can find what you’re looking for.”
2. Methods: The Actions You Can Take
Methods are like verbs—they define what you can do with an endpoint. The most common ones are:
- GET: Retrieve data.
- POST: Add new data.
- PUT: Update existing data.
- DELETE: Remove data.
Think of these as the API’s rules of engagement. Each endpoint may allow one or more methods.
3. Parameters: The Special Requests
Parameters are like specific instructions you give to the waiter. For instance, “I’ll have the pizza, but hold the olives.” In API terms, these are the values passed in a request, such as:
- Query parameters:
?userID=123(specifies which user’s data you want). - Path parameters:
/users/{userID}(the{userID}is dynamic and changes based on your request).
4. Requests and Their Bodies: The Ask
When a program interacts with an API, it sends a request. Sometimes, this request includes a “body,” which is just a fancy way of saying “extra details.” For example:
{
"name": "Jane Doe",
"email": "jane.doe@example.com"
}
This is what the API reads to figure out what you want.
5. Responses and Their Bodies: The Reply
After the request, the API responds. The response includes the requested data (if all goes well) or an error message (if something breaks). For example:
{
"status": "success",
"data": {
"userID": 123,
"name": "Jane Doe"
}
}
6. Examples: The Show-and-Tell
Developers love examples. They’re like cheat codes for APIs. You provide sample requests and responses so developers can hit the ground running. For instance:
- Request:
GET /users/123 - Response:
{
"id": 123,
"name": "Jane Doe"
}
7. Error Messages: The Bad News
No one likes errors, but they’re inevitable. Your job is to document the possible error messages and what they mean. For example:
- Error 400: Bad Request (you messed up the request).
- Error 401: Unauthorized (you forgot your API key).
- Error 500: Internal Server Error (the API messed up).
Bonus points if you include troubleshooting tips for each error!
8. Authentication: The Bouncer at the Club
Before a developer can access an API, they often need to prove they’re allowed in. This is called authentication, and it usually involves:
- API keys
- OAuth tokens
- Usernames and passwords
Think of this as the API saying, “No entry without ID!”
9. Rate Limits: The Speed Bumps
Rate limits are restrictions on how many requests a developer can make in a given time. For example, “You can only send 100 requests per minute.” It’s like a speed limit for APIs, ensuring no one abuses the system.
Try it yourself: Identify Documentation Components
Technical writers also document other aspects of APIs, such as the overall architecture, the security features, and the limitations. They strive to create documentation that is clear, concise, and accurate.
Here are some additional examples of what you might document in an API:
- The required permissions for each method.
- The expected format of the data that is passed to and returned by the API.
- The error codes that can be returned by the API and their meanings.
- The best practices for using the API.
- The limitations of the API.
So, just make sure you know what we document, how we do it; it’s something we will talk about later in the course. In essence, Technical Writers craft an essential guide that empowers everyone to understand, navigate, and make the most of the API world.
Next up: How Do Technical Writers Document APIs? Get ready to uncover the tricks of the trade!
Frequently Asked Questions About API Documentation
Get answers to common questions about what technical writers document in APIs and how they create effective documentation.
Technical Writing Fundamentals
To excel as an API technical writer, you need a combination of technical understanding, writing clarity, and empathy for developers. Key skills include basic programming knowledge, understanding of API concepts (HTTP, JSON, REST), excellent writing ability, ability to simplify complex concepts, attention to detail, and experience with documentation tools. You don’t need to be a developer, but you should be comfortable reading code and understanding technical concepts.
No, you don’t need to be a professional programmer, but you should have basic technical literacy and be willing to learn. Understanding fundamental programming concepts, being able to read and understand code examples, and knowing how APIs work are essential. Many successful API technical writers come from non-programming backgrounds but develop the necessary technical skills through on-the-job learning and focused study.
Start by learning the fundamentals of APIs and documentation through free online resources. Take courses on platforms like Udemy or follow Tom Johnson’s ‘API Documentation Course.’ Practice by documenting open-source APIs or creating sample documentation for public APIs. Build a portfolio showcasing these examples. Join communities like Write the Docs and API documentation forums. Consider obtaining certifications in technical writing or API development to boost your credentials.
API documentation focuses specifically on helping developers integrate with software interfaces, featuring code samples, endpoint references, and technical parameters. It’s more structured and reference-oriented than general technical documentation. API docs typically include detailed request/response formats, authentication methods, and code examples in multiple programming languages. While both types require clarity and accuracy, API documentation demands deeper technical precision and developer-focused language.
Documentation Process
Gather API information through multiple channels: interview developers who built the API, review API specifications (like OpenAPI/Swagger files), examine existing documentation, study the codebase directly, test the API endpoints yourself using tools like Postman, participate in API design meetings, and collect feedback from beta users. The most effective process usually combines direct interaction with developers and hands-on API testing.
When faced with incomplete information: 1) Schedule a follow-up meeting with subject matter experts to clarify specific points, 2) Document your questions precisely and share them ahead of time, 3) Test the API yourself to fill knowledge gaps, 4) Review relevant code or specifications directly, 5) Create a draft with your current understanding and ask for verification, 6) Set up regular check-ins with developers during the documentation process, and 7) Establish a formal review process where technical experts verify accuracy.
Balance technical accuracy with readability by knowing your audience well (adjust complexity based on their expertise), organizing content hierarchically (basic concepts first, then advanced), using visual aids like diagrams and examples, employing a consistent and clear terminology, providing real-world examples alongside technical details, maintaining precise technical information without jargon overload, and getting feedback from both technical and non-technical reviewers.
API documentation should be updated: 1) Whenever the API changes (new features, deprecations, bug fixes), 2) After receiving user feedback indicating confusion or missing information, 3) When security recommendations change, 4) During regular review cycles (quarterly or biannually), and 5) When supporting new use cases or integration patterns. Ideally, documentation updates should be directly tied to the development process, ensuring docs and code remain synchronized.
Documentation Components
Essential API documentation components include: 1) Introduction and overview explaining the API’s purpose and benefits, 2) Authentication and authorization details, 3) Base URL and versioning information, 4) Endpoint reference with methods, parameters, and examples, 5) Request and response formats with field descriptions, 6) Status and error codes with troubleshooting guidance, 7) Rate limits and quotas, 8) Code examples in multiple languages, 9) Step-by-step tutorials and use cases, and 10) API changelog to track updates.
API examples should include complete, functional code that developers can copy and use with minimal modifications. Each example should show a realistic use case, include all required parameters and headers, demonstrate proper error handling, show both the request and expected response, and be available in multiple programming languages popular with your audience. Include comments explaining key parts of the code and how to customize it for different scenarios.
Document API errors by creating a comprehensive table of all possible error codes with their meanings and potential causes. For each error, include: the HTTP status code, error code/type, a clear description of what caused it, and specific steps for resolving it. Provide example error responses showing the exact format developers will receive. Group errors logically (authentication errors, validation errors, server errors), and include troubleshooting guidance for common error scenarios.
Organize API endpoint documentation by logical resource groups or business functions rather than alphabetically. For each endpoint, maintain a consistent structure that includes the HTTP method, URL path, description of purpose, authentication requirements, request parameters (path, query, headers, body), response format with status codes, and complete request/response examples. Use consistent formatting and navigation, with clear cross-references when endpoints are related to each other.
Key Takeaways
- A reference API document includes endpoints, methods, parameters, requests, responses, examples, error messages, authentication, and rate limits.
- As a technical writer, your job is to make APIs easy to navigate and use, essentially creating a developer's guidebook.
- Properly documented APIs save development time, reduce support burden, and improve developer experience.
- Each component of API documentation serves a specific purpose in helping developers understand how to interact with the API.
Test Your Knowledge
Essential Technical Writing Resources
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