Why Do We Need API Versioning?

When you're working on a large-scale project, over time you'll likely need to add new features or change how your API behaves. That’s exactly where API versioning comes in.

So, what is API versioning

In simple terms, it's the practice of creating different versions of your API so that you can introduce changes without breaking the experience for users relying on the older versions.

Why it matters:

1. Service Stability
   Users who rely on older versions won’t face any issues when you release updates.

2. Easier Feature Updates
   You can introduce major changes or new features in newer versions without worrying about backward compatibility.

3. Gradual Upgrades
   Users can choose when to upgrade to the new version, giving them flexibility and reducing potential disruption.

4. Flexible Change Management
   You can experiment or refactor in newer versions while keeping the older ones running smoothly.

5. Continuous Improvement
   You’re free to enhance and innovate while still supporting users on previous versions for a suitable period.

Example:

Let’s say you're displaying product data:

Old version:
/api/v1/products

New version:
/api/v2/products

This simple change allows both versions to coexist without conflict.

Summary:

API versioning empowers your team to evolve the system without breaking what's already working. It's especially important when working with large teams or when your API serves many users or clients.