API structured codebase guidelines

When writing an API, having a well-structured and organized codebase is essential for maintainability, scalability, and collaboration among developers. Here's a general code structure to consider when writing an API:

Project Structure: Organize your codebase into directories and files that make sense for your API's functionality. Commonly used project structures include:

/project_root

├── /app              # Core application code

├── /config           # Configuration files

├── /controllers      # Request handlers

├── /middlewares      # Middleware components

├── /models           # Data models

├── /routes           # API route definitions

├── /services         # Business logic

├── /utils            # Utility functions

├── /tests            # Unit and integration tests

├── app.js            # Entry point

└── package.json      # Dependency management

Entry Point: The app.js (or a similar name) file serves as the entry point for your API. Here, you'll set up the server, import necessary modules, and configure middleware.

Routes: Define your API routes in the /routes directory. Each route should handle specific HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.) and delegate the request to corresponding controller functions.

Controllers: Controllers handle the logic of processing incoming requests and producing appropriate responses. They should be responsible for validating input, calling service functions, and sending back responses.

Services: Business logic and application-specific functionality are often placed in the /services directory. Services abstract the interaction between controllers and data models.

Models: The /models directory contains data models that represent the structure of your application's data. These models can include database schemas, data validation, and transformation logic.

Middlewares: Middleware functions can be found in the /middlewares directory. They handle tasks such as authentication, logging, request parsing, and error handling. Middlewares can be applied globally or selectively to specific routes.

Utilities: The /utils directory can hold utility functions and helpers used across your application. These could include functions for data manipulation, formatting, or any reusable code.

Configuration: Store configuration files in the /config directory. These can include settings for environment variables, database connections, third-party API keys, and other application-specific configurations.

Tests: The /tests directory is crucial for maintaining code quality and preventing regressions. Write unit tests and integration tests to ensure your API functions as expected.

Dependency Management: Use a package manager like npm (Node.js) or pip (Python) to manage your project's dependencies. Store the dependencies in the package.json (Node.js) or requirements.txt (Python) file.

Version Control: Utilize version control systems like Git to manage your codebase's history, collaborate with others, and easily track changes.