Answer the following interview API design question for me ""

To answer the interview question "What is the process of designing an API from scratch?" effectively, you can follow a structured approach that covers all the essential steps involved in API design. Here is a comprehensive answer:

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Designing an API from Scratch

Designing an API from scratch involves several critical steps to ensure that the API is functional, efficient, and user-friendly. Here is a detailed process:

1. Define the API’s Goals, Scope, and Purpose

• Identify Requirements: Start by understanding the requirements of both developers and end users. This includes the functionalities the API needs to provide and the problems it aims to solve.
• Set Objectives: Clearly define the goals, scope, and purpose of the API. Consider the subject matter, the providing system, and the limitations and preferences of API consumers, such as supported HTTP methods, data formats, and system availability windows[1].

2. Design the API Interface

• Resource Identification: Identify the resources that the API will expose. Resources should be nouns (e.g., users, orders) and should represent entities in the system.
• Define Endpoints: Create clear and meaningful resource paths (endpoints) that reflect the relationships between resources. Use a consistent and intuitive naming convention.
• HTTP Methods: Choose appropriate HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) for each endpoint to represent CRUD operations[1].

3. Establish Data Models

• Input and Output Data: Model the input and output data structures. Define the data types, required fields, and validation rules for each resource.
• Status Codes: Establish meaningful HTTP status codes to indicate the success or failure of operations. This helps in providing clear feedback to API consumers[1].

4. Ensure Consistency and Standards

• Standardization: Maintain consistency in naming conventions, endpoint structures, HTTP methods, and response formats. Adhere to established standards and best practices in API design[1].
• Versioning: Implement versioning mechanisms to handle changes and updates without disrupting existing clients. This can be done through URL versioning (e.g., /v1/users) or header versioning[1].

5. Implement Security Measures

• Authentication and Authorization: Use secure methods for authentication (e.g., OAuth, API keys) and ensure proper authorization to control access to resources.
• Data Protection: Implement measures to protect sensitive data, such as encryption and secure communication channels (HTTPS)[1].

6. Optimize for Performance

• Statelessness: Design the API to be stateless, mean...