boldsign/aspnet-core-best-practice-template

This project serves as a template and reference for implementing best practices in ASP.NET Core API development.

API Development Best Practices

This project contains practical tips and best practices for API development, inspired by lessons from the trenches.

Project Overview

This repository provides insights and guidelines on:

• Following RESTful principles
• Implementing versioning
• Securing your API
• Using OpenAPI and Swagger tools
• Asynchronous processing with queues
• Rate limiting
• Health checks
• Providing an API dashboard
• Using webhooks
• Optimizing microservices with gRPC
• Unit testing

Best Practices for API Development

RESTful Principles

• Follow RESTful Principles: Use standard HTTP methods.

  • GET /documents: Retrieves a list of documents.
  • POST /documents: Adds a new document.
  • PUT /documents/{id}: Updates a specific document.
  • DELETE /documents/{id}: Removes the document.

• Use standard HTTP methods: GET, POST, PUT, DELETE.

• Keep APIs stateless.

• Utilize resources and URIs effectively.

Versioning

• Implement Versioning: Via URI paths, query parameters, or headers.
  • Example: /api/v1/documents
• Allow for backward compatibility.
• Plan for deprecation phases.

Security

• OAuth & API Keys: Secure access and monitor API usage.
• Scoped Access: Define specific permissions for different API modules.
• Token Management: Use access tokens with short expiration and refresh tokens for user convenience.
• Secure Data Transmission: Use HTTPS.
• Validate Inputs: Prevent vulnerabilities by validating user inputs.
• Authentication and Authorization: Integrate role-based, claim-based, and resource-based authorization.

OpenAPI & Swagger Tools

• Standard Format: Use OpenAPI for defining REST APIs.
• Swagger Tools: Use Swagger UI for interactive testing and Codegen for auto-generating code and documentation.

Asynchronous Processing with Queues

• Offload Tasks: For faster API responses.
• Load Balancing: Manage spikes and improve system response.
• Reliability: Enhance robustness with retry mechanisms.
• Scalability: Distribute tasks across workers for efficient scaling.

Rate Limiting

• Environment Segregation: Separate rate limits for test and production environments.
• Prevent Abuse: Set and enforce appropriate rate limits.
• Meaningful Error Responses: Inform users when rate limits are exceeded.

Health Checks

• Use Health Check Libraries: Monitor third-party services.
• Provide Health Check Endpoints: Allow users to verify system status.
• Proactive Maintenance: Use health check data for early issue detection.
• Uptime Data: Keep users informed about system status.

API Dashboard

• Visualize Usage: Monitor API usage and metrics in real-time.
• Simplify Management: Use dashboards for troubleshooting.

Webhooks

• Retries: Ensure delivery with automatic retries.
• Secure Messages: Use HMAC for cryptographic hashing.
• IP Whitelisting: Restrict access to trusted sources.
• Monitor Performance: Use dashboards to monitor webhook performance.

API Retry Mechanism

• Reliability Enhancement: Retry for transient errors.
• Backoff Strategies: Use fixed and exponential delays.
• Retry Limits & Circuit Breaker: Limit retries and manage system recovery.

gRPC

• Optimized for Microservices: Improve inter-service communication.
• High Performance: Use HTTP/2 for lower latency.
• Efficient Data Handling: Use Protocol Buffers for faster serialization.
• Scalable Architecture: Efficiently scale microservices.

Unit Testing

• Mock Dependencies: Use mocking to isolate units from dependencies.
• Dependency Injection: Simplify testing with ASP.NET Core's dependency injection.
• Async Testing: Replicate asynchronous behavior in tests.
• Fast and Reliable Tests: Use in-memory databases for quick checks.