API Versioning Strategies | Backward Compatibility Guide
Implement API versioning with URI, header, or query parameter approaches. Maintain backward compatibility while evolving services. Migration and deprecation guides.
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API versioning strategies ensure smooth evolution of APIs while maintaining compatibility. GitScrum helps teams track API changes, versioning decisions, and client migration across development cycles.
API versioning lifecycle
Design API ──► Implement v1 ──► Plan Changes ──► Release v2 ──► Deprecate v1 ──► Remove v1
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Requirements First Release Breaking Changes Backward Sunset Period End of Life
Gathering & Documentation Analysis Compatible & Migration Communication
Updates Support
Versioning strategies
- URI versioning: /api/v1/users, /api/v2/users - clear and explicit
- Header versioning: Accept: application/vnd.api.v1+json - content negotiation
- Query parameter: /api/users?version=1 - flexible but less RESTful
- Media type: application/vnd.company.resource.v2+json - semantic versioning
API evolution best practices
Breaking Changes ──► New Version ──► Deprecation ──► Migration ──► Removal
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Impact Analysis Semantic Versioning Warning Headers Client Updates End of Support
& Communication & Documentation