API versioning strategies

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
     │              │              │              │              │              │
     ▼              ▼              ▼              ▼              ▼              ▼
  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
        │                  │              │              │            │
        ▼                  ▼              ▼              ▼            ▼
  Impact Analysis     Semantic Versioning  Warning Headers  Client Updates  End of Support
  & Communication                       & Documentation

Related Solutions

• API design best practices
• API development best practices
• API first development