How can you document your API development framework for Financial Technology?

1 Define your scope

Before you start writing your documentation, you need to define the scope of your API development framework. What are the goals, features, and use cases of your API? Who are your target audiences and what are their needs and expectations? How do you plan to maintain and update your documentation? These questions will help you outline the structure and content of your documentation, as well as the level of detail and technicality required.

2 Choose your format

The format of your documentation should match the style and preferences of your audiences, as well as the complexity and functionality of your API. You can choose between different formats, such as HTML, Markdown, PDF, or XML, depending on your tools and platforms. You can also use tools like Swagger, Postman, or Apiary to generate interactive and dynamic documentation that allows your users to test and explore your API directly.

3 Write your overview

The overview is the first section of your documentation that introduces your API development framework to your users. It should provide a brief and clear summary of what your API does, why it exists, and how it works. You should also include some basic information, such as the base URL, the authentication method, the supported formats, and the version history. The overview should be concise and engaging, and avoid using jargon or technical terms without explanation.

4 Describe your endpoints

The endpoints are the core of your documentation, as they define the specific requests and responses that your API supports. For each endpoint, you should provide a detailed description of the parameters, headers, body, and status codes, as well as examples of requests and responses in different formats. You should also explain the logic and functionality behind each endpoint, and how it relates to the overall goals and use cases of your API. You can use tools like curl or HTTPie to generate and test your examples.

5 Document your errors

Errors are inevitable when working with APIs, and you need to document them properly to help your users troubleshoot and resolve them. You should provide a list of possible errors that your API can return, along with their codes, messages, and causes. You should also suggest some solutions or alternatives for each error, and how to avoid them in the future. You can use tools like JSON Schema or OpenAPI Specification to validate and document your errors.

6 Review and update your documentation

The last step of documenting your API development framework is to review and update your documentation regularly. You should check your documentation for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and readability, and make sure it reflects the current state and functionality of your API. You should also solicit feedback from your users, partners, and regulators, and incorporate their suggestions and requests into your documentation. You can use tools like Git or GitHub to track and manage your documentation changes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?