APIStandard

APIStandard is a formal specification for designing, validating, and interoperating application programming interfaces (APIs). It aims to improve cross-system compatibility and reduce integration costs by providing a common set of rules for resource modeling, error handling, versioning, security, and behavior expectations.

Scope and design goals include guidance for RESTful and RPC-style APIs. The standard defines naming conventions, URL structure, resource representations, pagination, filtering, sorting, and rate limiting. It specifies a uniform error payload format and a machine-readable descriptor for API discovery, alongside recommendations for human-facing documentation. Security requirements cover recommended authentication flows, encryption practices, and key management to support secure integrations.

Governance and development are managed by the International API Standards Council (IASC) through public working groups. The process incorporates public drafts, implementer feedback, and an open conformance-testing regime. Releases are versioned and aligned with corresponding conformance profiles that indicate compatible capabilities across clients and servers.

Core components include the Core specification, a set of practical profiles (such as Commerce, Data, and Public API), and an API Descriptor format. A formal conformance test suite and a certification program assist organizations in validating compatibility. Reference implementations and example integrations are published to aid adoption.

Adoption and reception vary by sector. The standard has been adopted by several large platforms seeking cross-vendor interoperability, though some critics view it as rigid or slow to evolve. Proponents argue that APIStandard streamlines integration, improves reliability, and reduces maintenance overhead over time.

See also: OpenAPI Specification; JSON Schema; OAuth 2.0; REST.