What is the main purpose of API versioning?

The primary purpose of API versioning is to manage changes and ensure backward compatibility. This is crucial in software development, particularly when updates or enhancements are made to an API. By introducing versioning, developers can implement new features or make modifications without disrupting the existing clients that rely on previous versions of the API.

For instance, if an API has significant changes that would affect how it operates or integrates with existing systems, versioning allows developers to maintain the older version while developing and deploying the new version simultaneously. This way, users can transition to the new version at their own pace, ensuring that their applications continue to function without interruption.

Moreover, proper versioning communicates to developers and users the nature of changes—whether they are minor enhancements, backward-compatible improvements, or breaking changes—which is vital for maintaining trust and reliability in an API service.