Say it like this
- Let's publish the OpenAPI spec to our documentation portal.
- This service follows the OpenAPI 3.0 standard.
- Can you validate the OpenAPI definition before merging?
Use it at work
APIs
- Let's write the OpenAPI spec before we build the endpoint.
- The OpenAPI file is in the docs folder.
Tooling
- We generate the client from the OpenAPI spec.
- The OpenAPI spec doesn't match the API.
Reviewing
- Please update the OpenAPI spec in this PR.
- Is the OpenAPI spec published for partners?
Don't say this
OpenAPI is a noun (specification), not a verb. You cannot OpenAPI something.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAPI | Standard format to describe REST APIs | Developers | API docs |
| Swagger | Older name and tools for OpenAPI | Developers | API docs |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Which sentence uses OpenAPI incorrectly?
2. The _______ specification helps us generate client libraries automatically from the API definition.
3. Your team needs to document a new REST API. What do you say in a meeting?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using OpenAPI: 'We made a document showing what our API can do, and other teams can use it to write code that talks to our API.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Let's publish the OpenAPI spec to our documentation portal."
We don't save your recording. The word check uses your browser's speech recognition.
More about OpenAPI
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"We finished the OpenAPI specification for the payment service, so the mobile team can start integration today."
- in a code review
"The OpenAPI schema needs to be updated to reflect the new error response format."
- in a team meeting
"We should adopt OpenAPI for all microservices to make integration testing easier."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. OpenAPI is a specification, not a tool or product. Do not use it as a verb or to mean general API documentation.
- ✕OpenAPI is a tool for building APIs.✓OpenAPI is a specification for documenting APIs.
OpenAPI is a standard format, not a tool or framework for building APIs.
- ✕We are using OpenAPI instead of REST.✓We're documenting our REST API using the OpenAPI specification.
OpenAPI and REST are not alternatives. OpenAPI documents REST APIs.
Other forms(2)
- OpenAPI noun
"The OpenAPI specification makes it easy to generate documentation."
- OpenAPI adjective
"We need an OpenAPI validator to check our schema."
Often used with(4)
- OpenAPI specification · The most common phrase, referring to the standard format itself.
- OpenAPI schema · The actual document or definition that describes an API following the OpenAPI standard.
- OpenAPI document · The file or definition containing the API specification in OpenAPI format.
- OpenAPI version · Refers to different versions like OpenAPI 3.0 or OpenAPI 3.1.
Similar words(2)
- Swagger · The original name for OpenAPI before it was standardized by the OpenAPI Initiative; some teams still use the term informally.
- API specification · A broader term that can refer to any documented API format, not specifically OpenAPI.
Questions(4)
- What does OpenAPI mean in software engineering?
- OpenAPI is a standardized specification developed by the OpenAPI Initiative that describes how to document REST APIs in a consistent, machine-readable format. It was originally known as Swagger. The OpenAPI specification allows developers to describe API endpoints, request parameters, response formats, authentication methods, and error codes in a structured way that both humans and tools can understand.
- How do you use OpenAPI in a sentence at work?
- You use OpenAPI as a noun when talking about the specification or a document: 'We need to publish our OpenAPI spec before the API goes live' or 'The OpenAPI schema defines all the endpoints.' You do not use it as a verb. You do not say 'let us OpenAPI the service.'
- What is the difference between OpenAPI and Swagger?
- Swagger was the original name of the specification. In 2016, the Swagger specification was donated to the OpenAPI Initiative and renamed to OpenAPI. Today, OpenAPI is the official standard name. Some older documentation or teams may still use Swagger to refer to the same specification.
- Why is OpenAPI important in development?
- OpenAPI is important because it allows teams to document APIs in a standardized way that can be read by machines. This enables automatic code generation, automated testing, interactive documentation, and easier integration between services. It reduces miscommunication about API contracts and speeds up development when multiple teams need to work with the same API.
