Always Backward Compatible!
You find this awesome REST service that delivers just the stuff you need for your cool new app, but are afraid to use it! I hear this all the time. What if it changes? Isn't this why SOAP/WSDL is better? First off, SOAP/WSDL is not even better than sending smoke signals so let that go dude. Secondly, REST can work just fine if we all agree on a few basic things. I publish and consume REST services from mobile and heavy apps and have never had a problem. Like anything else, it requires thinking about the service evolution a little before throwing it together.
- Will my service need to evolve
- How can I support different versions of my service
First off, provide a header element in the request that allows the consumer to specify which version of your service they require. Switch on the version and provide the response they know and love.
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