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Besides, developers are precise, analytical, and always on-the-go to solve critical issues with an API.
Hence, catering to them sometimes becomes a tricky business.
This is where the need for API documentation arises.
So, lets explore a few things about API documentation and how it helps.
What is the API documentation?
It can be written by a technical writer and is readable to both humans and machines.
The document also includes examples and tutorials to support the information.
API documentation must be easy to digest by the users or developers who want to solve a certain problem.
Documentation forms the basis of a good user experience.
In fact, those who are satisfied with your offerings become the biggest advocates of your API.
Good documentation triggers the widespread adoption of the API.
If you offer them valuable documentation, it could lead to enhanced growth and the adoption of your API.
None or poor documentation creates chaos among the users as they will be confused with the work.
As a result, they will rely on your teams to understand the best use of the API.
How to Create API documentation?
you’re free to get started with API documentation in many ways- manual and automated.
you’re able to automate the overall process, which becomes easier and less time-consuming for your team.
It, in fact, also helps you update and maintain your documentation without any hassle.
So, check out the following services to create amazing API documentation and help your users.
Slate
Slateis a great tool that helps you create responsive, intelligent, and beautiful API documentation.
Slate lets you write codes in different languages and specify their name at the code blocks top spot.
Slate permits unique syntax highlighting in more than 100 languages without having to configure them.
The performance Slate provides is excellent for larger documents as well.
The API documentation that Slate generates is by default hosted in GitHub.
It implies that you’re free to enjoy free hosting with GitHub pages for your entire documents.
Slate also offers RTL (Right-To-Left) support for languages like Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and more.
From the portal, they can test the APIs using the Try-it function and create fully customizable API docs.
Document360 offers a quick and easy solution to designing attractive APIs documentation suitable for technical and non-technical audiences.
It instantly updates your API documentation whenever the OpenAPI specification file changes.
NelmioApiDocBundle
Generate decent-looking documentation for APIs usingNelmioApiDocBundle.
The bundle supports languages like PHP, Twig, CSS, and others.
The bundle supports PHP annotations, Swagger-PHP annotations, Symfony route needs, and FOSRestBundle annotations.
For models, NelmioApiDocBundle supports JMS serializer, Symfony serializer, willdurand/Hateoas library, and Symfony forms.
Swagger
Forget about manual API documentation if you haveSwaggerby your side.
you could generate the documentation automatically from the API definition.
you’re free to maintain multiple versions of your documentation using the versioning system of SwaggerHub.
ReadMe
ReadMeprovides an easy way to generate and manage interactive and exquisite API documentation.
It even allows users to make API calls and then copy-paste the actual code samples.
Provide great customer support by collecting customer feedback through forum-style support and acting on a serious note.
Postman
Its unlikely that you havent heard Postman if youbreathe API.
The API documentation byPostmanis a good option for you to generate docs that even machines can read well.
Thus, it becomes easy to share the API with anyone you want.
Share all your collections within seconds by embedding the button Run in Postman in your docs or website.
This way, anyone can import the documentation with a single click.
ReDoc
ReDocis an API reference documentation tool that is OpenAPI or Swagger generated.
It facilitates easy deployment and can bundle docs into HTML files having zero dependencies.
ReDoc offers server-side rendering and supports the features of OpenAPI version 2.0, including the discriminator.
you’re free to even enjoy interactive and neat documentation for a nested object.
ReDoc leverages markdown headings.
It enables deep linking and high-level grouping via vendor extension in the side menu.
apiDoc
apiDocallows you to create documentation out of API annotations easily in the source code.
The programming languages compatible are PHP, Java, JavaScript, Go, C, and others.
Additionally, the default template for the generated apiDoc also supports API versioning and compares changes between versions.
It lets you include header, footer, and the filenames must be markdown text files.
you might also define a reusable snippet of documentation using the feature Inherit.
Stoplight
Put an end to all your stress regarding documentation if you haveStoplightwith you.
It helps you create amazing API docs even with slight efforts.
you’re able to embed try-it-out functions andJSONschema using its rich markdown.
Host public and private documentation in one place with permissions and granular roles.
Its powerful and wide search allows developers to find schemas, reference docs, and endpoints.
Conclusion
API documentation is all about improving theuser experience.
So, developing a wonderful API is important, and creating readable and high-quality documentation to explain its usage.
Check outsome analytics tools for your APIs.
