REST API Best Practices and Anti-Patterns/Do not expose raw database internals

Keep API models stable and intentional.

Section: Anti-patterns

Do not expose raw database internals

text
text
Avoid exposing internal table names, join tables, and migration-driven field names directly.
Explanation

An API contract should reflect domain concepts, not your current storage layout.

Learn the surrounding workflow

Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.

Related commands

Same sheet · prioritizing Anti-patterns
Verbs in CRUD endpoints
Avoid route names that duplicate the HTTP method.
OpenIn sheettextsame section
Do not return 200 for every outcome
Use HTTP status codes meaningfully.
OpenIn sheettextsame section
Do not ship breaking changes silently
Version or phase in incompatible changes.
OpenIn sheettextsame section
Avoid deeply nested routes
Keep URLs maintainable.
OpenIn sheettextsame section
Keep response contracts consistent
Use the same top-level response structure across endpoints.
OpenIn sheettext1 tag match
Return a request ID
Make support and debugging easier.
OpenIn sheethttp1 tag match