GUIDE 2024

What Does an API Technical Writer Do?

An application programming interface (API) technical writer creates documents that explain how an API works, makes arguments for its usage, and helps promote functional programs.

An API technical writer’s primary audience includes programmers, developers, system designers, and system architects. API technical writers develop documents containing code samples, use cases, authentications, and other resources. In their role, a technical writer helps developers plan, design, and build features.

API technical writers make arguments in favor of using an API and interacting with the API host system. When you write API documentation, technical writers must use their programming experience and developer tools to provide links to resources, examples, sample code, and instructions accessible to most developers:

  • Provide use case examples that explain the most effective ways to use an interface.
  • Provide thorough descriptions of an API’s functions and how it interacts with the application.
  • Make arguments in favor of how to use the API and its interactions.
  • Create tutorials about how to use the API through documents, eLearning, and video tutorials.

If you’re interested in learning more via video, then watch below. Otherwise, skip ahead.

What is API Documentation? A Guide by an API Technical Writer

API documentation and API technical writers describe how an application programming interface (API) works. An API documentation writer will include code samples, authentications, classes, functions, and other information required for users to connect with an API.

For example, if two applications must “communicate” with each other to work, a technical writer will describe the process of how they pass information back and forth, such as through parameters and security tokens. API reference documentation includes all details and sets up developers to use the API.

Technical Writing Certifications

API technical writing differs from other forms of technical writing because it requires knowledge of programming, API documentation tools, and the specific needs of the company using API documents. When you write API documentation, the specific language of documentation depends on the product you work on, including Python, JavaScript, Java, JSON, and C++.

To write API documentation as an API technical writer should, you must understand what the reader needs to know to use the API. An API writer works with an API to include sample code, functions, parameters, use cases, endpoints, and error messages. Good API documentation increases API adoption and optimizes the developer experience (DX). The better the documentation prepared by technical writers, the easier it is to use and work with your API.

API Technical Writer Education Requirements

Writing API documentation as a technical writer requires you to have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as programming, technical communication, or English. As an API or technical documentation writer, you must also know at least one programming language. You must have an effective combination of technical, collaboration, and communication skills to write API documentation.

If you have a degree but lack technical writing or programming skills, take an online or higher-education course. Adding programming experience and technical, to your skill stack can speed up your career in API reference documentation.

How do API Technical Writers Create Documentation?

API technical writers have a procedure that they follow to structure data. The process includes hours of research, time spent on compiling data, analyzing it, and writing API documentation. An API technical writer must first examine the data, and then create the structure of the document.

To create helpful API documentation, technical writers must include:

  • Use cases: As a technical API documentation writer, you would research relevant topics and provide practical examples. You would also create real-world scenarios that are relevant to the subject, highlighting essential features.
  • API functions: As a technical API documentation writer, you would organize each function’s value to the user. For example, you might list the most important and frequently used functions at the top, explaining functions from the most to least prominent.

API Technical Writer Responsibilities

Become a Great API Technical Writer

Familiarize yourself with API documentation tools, such as specialized software that creates structured and detailed API documents. An excellent example of a software product for this is Swagger UI, an interface description language that uses JSON to develop interactive user documentation. Using such tools for popular structured data formats, you can get a real-life look at how documentation works:

  • API Blueprint. For excellent API documentation, you can design and prototype APIs and create documentation for them. You can also test and deploy APIs with this great tool to collaborate with other team members.
  • Apiary. You can use this API tool for easy team collaboration from the creation, testing, deployment, and documentation of APIs.
  • Doxygen. This API tool focuses on working with C++ while creating good API documentation for teams.
  • ReadMe.com. With this API tool, you can try working API examples, get developer metrics, and generate links for error messages.

To get into API documentation technical writing, brush up on your coding and API design. There are countless websites where you can learn coding and design like uDemy and Codecademy.

If you want to become an API documentation writer, you can also take classes to learn how to document structured data, provide code snippets product documentation, describe source code, detail a user interface, and use writing skills to create API documentation. The more informed you are about how to document structured data in API documents, the more value you can offer with your documentation skills.

Then, network with other API writers and software developers to keep up-to-date with the evolving field of API technical writing and software development and hear about new job opportunities at top companies.

Tips for API Technical Writers

Practice Using an API Like a Developer
To excel as an API technical writer, immerse yourself in the API just like a developer would. Start by directly interacting with the API, exploring its functionalities, and understanding how it behaves in various scenarios. By experiencing the API firsthand, you can identify potential challenges and opportunities that developers might encounter. This insight will significantly improve the quality and relevance of your documentation, ensuring it addresses the real needs of developers.

1. Adopt the Technical Writer Mindset for New Endpoints

When tasked with documenting a new API endpoint, shift your perspective and approach the task as a technical writer. Begin by exploring the endpoint as if you are a first-time user, carefully noting key functions, inputs, outputs, and any nuances. Then, translate this technical information into clear, concise documentation that is easily understandable by developers. Ensure that you cover every detail, including error messages and edge cases, to create comprehensive and user-friendly documentation.

2. Document Conceptual Sections Effectively

Documenting conceptual sections of an API, such as getting started tutorials or product overviews, requires a focus on clarity and accessibility. These sections are often the first point of contact for many users, so it’s crucial to make them informative yet easy to follow.

Break down complex concepts into manageable steps and consider using examples, visual aids, or diagrams to enhance understanding. Your goal is to create tutorials that not only instruct but also guide users through their initial interactions with the API, helping them build confidence and familiarity.

3. Explore Various Methods for Publishing REST API Documentation

Experiment with different methods for publishing REST API documentation to find the most effective approach. Whether you use traditional documentation platforms like Swagger or newer tools like Postman, ensure that your documentation is accessible, searchable, and consistently updated.

Consider the overall user experience by organizing the documentation logically, using clear headings, and providing interactive examples whenever possible. How you present the documentation can greatly impact how easily developers can utilize the API.

Hiring an API Documentation Writer

Here is what you should look out for when hiring an API Technical writer:

1. Look for Candidates With Relevant Experience

When hiring an API documentation writer, prioritize candidates who have at least three years of experience in technical writing or a closely related field. This experience is crucial as it indicates that the candidate has a proven ability to produce clear, effective documentation. Ideally, their experience should include a focus on API documentation, as this requires specific skills and knowledge that go beyond general technical writing.

2. Ensure Understanding of API Documentation Best Practices

Candidates should have a strong understanding of API documentation best practices. This includes familiarity with key concepts such as RESTful API principles, versioning, authentication methods, and error handling. Their ability to document these aspects accurately and clearly is essential for creating high-quality API documentation that developers can rely on. During the hiring process, ask candidates about their experience with different API documentation tools and how they approach maintaining documentation as APIs evolve.

3. Evaluate Writing and Communication Skills

Strong writing and communication skills are critical for an API documentation writer. The ability to convey complex information in a way that is both accurate and easy to understand is a must. Review candidates’ portfolios for examples of clear, concise writing, and assess how well they can articulate technical concepts during interviews. Good communication skills are also important for collaborating effectively with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

4. Assess the Ability to Work Under Pressure and Meet Deadlines

Finally, evaluate the candidate’s ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines. API documentation projects often involve tight schedules, particularly when dealing with rapidly evolving technologies.

The ideal candidate should be able to manage their time efficiently, prioritize tasks, and consistently deliver high-quality documentation on time. To gauge this, consider asking for examples of how they’ve handled similar pressures in the past or conducting a timed writing exercise as part of the interview process.

Skills Required for API Technical Writers

API technical writers need a blend of technical and soft skills to effectively document complex APIs and make them accessible to developers and other users. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the essential skills required:

Technical Skills

Here are some of the top technical skills required for one to be a good API Technical Writer:

1. Understanding of Programming Languages

A solid grasp of programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Java, JSON, and C++ is crucial for an API technical writer. These languages are often used in the APIs you’ll be documenting, so understanding how they work allows you to provide accurate and relevant code examples. This knowledge also enables you to communicate effectively with developers, ensuring that your documentation aligns with their coding practices.

2. Knowledge of API Documentation Tools

Familiarity with API documentation tools such as Swagger UI, Archbee, and OpenAPI is essential. These tools help create structured and interactive documentation that developers can easily navigate. Swagger UI, for example, allows you to visualize and interact with an API’s resources directly, making it easier to document its endpoints and methods. Knowing how to use these tools efficiently will enhance the quality and usability of your documentation.

3. Familiarity with Software Development Protocols and Platforms

Understanding software development protocols and platforms is another key requirement. This includes knowledge of RESTful services, SOAP, GraphQL, and other API architectures, as well as platforms like AWS, Azure, and GitHub. Being familiar with these protocols and platforms helps you write documentation that is not only technically accurate but also relevant to the specific environments in which the API will be used.

4. Experience with Coding and API Design

Practical experience with coding and API design greatly benefits an API technical writer. This experience enables you to understand the intricacies of how APIs are built, which in turn allows you to document them more effectively. You can anticipate potential issues developers might face and provide solutions or workarounds within your documentation. Additionally, this experience helps you create more detailed and practical examples that developers can directly apply in their work.

Soft Skills

Here are some of the top soft skills required for one to be a good API Technical Writer:

1. Excellent Writing and Communication Skills

While technical knowledge is important, the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely is equally vital. API documentation needs to be well-written, easy to understand, and free of jargon that could confuse the reader.

Strong writing skills ensure that your documentation is accessible to developers of all levels, from beginners to experts. Moreover, good communication skills are essential when collaborating with cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and designers.

2. Ability to Work in a Fast-Paced Environment and Meet Deadlines

API technical writers often work in fast-paced environments where meeting deadlines is critical. The ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and deliver high-quality documentation under tight schedules is a key soft skill. This is especially important in tech environments where APIs and software updates are released frequently, requiring quick turnarounds on documentation.

3. Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills are crucial for identifying potential issues in the API and addressing them through documentation. These skills enable you to break down complex technical information into understandable segments and to troubleshoot any discrepancies between the API’s intended functionality and its documentation.

This ensures that your documentation is not only accurate but also useful for developers who rely on it to solve problems.

4. Ability to Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams

Collaboration is an essential aspect of the API technical writer’s role. You must work closely with developers, product managers, UX designers, and other stakeholders to gather the necessary information for your documentation.

The ability to collaborate effectively with these teams ensures that the documentation is comprehensive, aligns with the product’s goals, and meets the needs of its users. Building strong working relationships within the team helps streamline the documentation process and improve the overall quality of the product.

If you are interested in programming, technical writing, and documenting APIs, consider a career in creating API documentation. Using your knowledge of each API, programming languages, and documenting APIs, you can create reference documentation for application programming interfaces that help whole teams of developers create better products.

As an API technical writer, you must have experience in understanding popular structured data formats and API design, but you can use API technical expertise and an understanding of programming languages to advance web and software productions. Robust API technical documentation paves the way for unique user features, functional programs, and popular apps.

FAQs

What ae the key responsibilities of an API technical writer in documenting an pplication Programming Interface (API)?

An API technical writer is responsible for creating clear, comprehensive documentation that explains how an application programming interface (API) functions. This includes providing code samples, use cases, error messages, and detailed descriptions of API endpoints. The goal is to make it easier for developers to understand and utilize the API effectively, thereby enhancing the developer experience (DX).

What skills are essential for an api technical writer?

Essential skills for an API technical writer include a strong understanding of programming languages, the ability to write clearly and concisely, and proficiency with API documentation tools like Swagger, Doxygen, and ReadMe.com. Additionally, excellent research skills and the ability to collaborate with developers and product teams are crucial for creating accurate and useful documentation.

Do api technical writers need to know how to code?

Yes, API technical writers typically need to have knowledge of at least one programming language, as this enables them to understand the API they are documenting and create relevant code samples. Familiarity with languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript is often necessary, depending on the specific API they are working with.

How can an api technical writer improve their documentation?

To improve API documentation, writers should focus on providing practical use cases, organizing functions in a logical order, and using tools like Swagger or Apiary to create interactive documentation. Regularly updating the documentation to reflect changes in the API and seeking feedback from developers can also help ensure the documentation remains useful and relevant.

What tools do api technical writers commonly use?

API technical writers commonly use tools like Swagger UI, Apiary, Doxygen, and ReadMe.com to create structured and detailed API documentation. These tools help writers design, prototype, test, and deploy APIs, as well as create interactive and user-friendly documentation that improves the overall developer experience.

If you are new to technical writing, we recommend taking our Technical Writing Certification Course. You will learn the fundamentals of being a technical writer, how to dominate technical writer interviews, and ways of standing out as a technical writing candidate.