Swagger Documentation
Swagger (now part of the OpenAPI Specification) is a framework for describing RESTful APIs. It provides a structured, interactive way to understand endpoints, parameters, authentication, and responses.
Key Sections in Swagger Documentation
-
Info Block
- Shows API title, version, description, and base URL.
- Example:
Base URL: https://api.example.com
-
Authentication
- Look for securityDefinitions or an Authorize button.
- Common schemes: OAuth 2.0, API Key, Bearer Token.
- Example:
Authorization: Bearer {access_token}
-
Paths
- Each endpoint is listed under paths.
- Includes:
- HTTP Method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
- Summary & Description (what the endpoint does)
- Parameters (query, path, body)
- Responses (status codes and schema)
-
Parameters
- in: path → Required in URL (e.g.,
/users/{id}) - in: query → Optional filters (e.g.,
?page=1) - in: body → JSON payload for POST/PUT.
- in: path → Required in URL (e.g.,
-
Responses
- 200 OK → Success
- 400 Bad Request → Invalid input
- 401 Unauthorized → Missing/invalid token
- 500 Internal Server Error → Server issue
- Often includes example JSON for success and error cases.
-
Models / Definitions
- Shows data structures for requests and responses.
- Example:
UserModelwith fields likeid,name,email.
How to Use Swagger Docs
-
Authenticate First
- Obtain token via
/tokenor OAuth flow. - Use Authorize button in Swagger UI or add header manually.
- Obtain token via
-
Explore Endpoints
- Start with GET endpoints to understand data.
- Use Try It Out in Swagger UI for live testing.
-
Check Parameters
- Required vs optional.
- Validate types (string, integer, boolean).
-
Review Response Examples
- Understand expected data format.
- Plan error handling based on status codes.
-
Use Models for Integration
- Map API fields to your application’s data structures.