OpenAPI

OpenAPI is a specification for describing RESTful APIs in a standardized, machine-readable format, originally known as Swagger. It allows developers to define API endpoints, request/response structures, authentication methods, and other details using YAML or JSON. This enables automatic generation of documentation, client SDKs, and server stubs, improving API consistency and interoperability.

Also known as: Swagger, OpenAPI Specification, OAS, Open API, Swagger Specification

Why learn OpenAPI?

Developers should learn OpenAPI when building or consuming REST APIs to ensure clear communication between frontend and backend teams, automate documentation, and streamline API testing. It is particularly useful in microservices architectures, API-first development, and integration projects where multiple systems need to interoperate seamlessly.

Learning Resources

• docs: OpenAPI Specification Documentation
• tutorial: Swagger Tutorial - Getting Started
• video: OpenAPI 3.0 Tutorial on YouTube
• tutorial: OpenAPI Guide on freeCodeCamp