sap-api-style

SAP API Style Guide

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Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. When to Use This Skill
3. Quick Decision Tree
4. Core Principles
5. Quick Reference Tables
6. Templates Available
7. Reference Files
8. Instructions for Use
9. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
10. External Resources
11. Updates and Maintenance

Overview

This skill provides comprehensive guidance for documenting SAP APIs according to official SAP API Style Guide standards. It covers all major API types and documentation approaches used across the SAP ecosystem.

Documentation Source: https://github.com/SAP-docs/api-style-guide (76 files extracted)

Last Verified: 2025-11-21

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Creating API documentation for REST, OData, Java, JavaScript, .NET, or C/C++ APIs
• Writing OpenAPI specifications for SAP API Business Hub
• Reviewing API names for SAP naming convention compliance
• Documenting API parameters, responses, operations with proper formatting
• Creating manual API documentation using SAP templates
• Writing documentation comments in source code (Javadoc, JSDoc, XML comments)
• Implementing API deprecation following SAP lifecycle policies
• Developing developer guides or service documentation
• Performing quality checks on API documentation
• Publishing APIs to SAP API Business Hub

Quick Decision Tree

What Type of API?

REST/OData API
├─ Auto-generated (OpenAPI/Swagger)?
│  └─ references/rest-odata-openapi-guide.md
│     • OpenAPI specification standards
│     • Package, API, operation descriptions
│     • Parameters, responses, components
│     • SAP API Business Hub requirements
│
└─ Manually written?
   └─ references/manual-templates-guide.md
      • REST templates (2-level: overview → method)
      • OData templates (3-level: service → resource → operation)
      • Complete field requirements
      • templates/ directory for ready-to-use files

Native Library API
├─ Java → references/java-javascript-dotnet-guide.md
├─ JavaScript → references/java-javascript-dotnet-guide.md
├─ .NET (C#) → references/java-javascript-dotnet-guide.md
└─ C/C++ → references/java-javascript-dotnet-guide.md
    • Documentation comments structure
    • Language-specific tags
    • Templates for classes, methods, enums
    • Complete code examples

What Task?

Naming
└─ references/naming-conventions.md
   • REST/OData naming (resources, parameters, URIs)
   • Native library naming (classes, methods, constants)
   • Common mistakes to avoid

Writing Descriptions
└─ references/rest-odata-openapi-guide.md
   • Package descriptions
   • API details (info object)
   • Operations, parameters, responses

Quality Assurance
└─ references/quality-processes.md
   • Complete API Quality Checklist
   • Review workflows
   • Development team guidelines

Deprecating APIs
└─ references/deprecation-policy.md
   • Lifecycle states (beta, active, deprecated, decommissioned)
   • Timeline requirements (12+ months support)
   • Required metadata (x-sap-stateInfo)

Developer Guides
└─ references/developer-guides.md
   • Structure guidelines
   • Content selection
   • Code sample standards

Core Principles

1. Consistency Across SAP APIs

All SAP API documentation follows consistent conventions:

• Naming: Language-specific (camelCase, PascalCase, kebab-case)
• Structure: Hierarchical with clear navigation
• Formatting: Sentences start with capitals, end with periods
• Language: American English

2. API-Type-Specific Standards

API Type	Standard	Tool	Documentation
REST	OpenAPI 3.0.3	Swagger	Spec
OData	v4.01, v3.0, v2.0	Various	OData.org
Java	Javadoc	javadoc	Oracle
JavaScript	JSDoc 3	jsdoc	JSDoc.app
.NET	XML Comments	DocFX	Microsoft
C/C++	Doxygen	doxygen	Doxygen.nl

3. Progressive Disclosure

Documentation organized hierarchically:

• High-level overviews provide context and navigation
• Detailed references cover specific APIs, methods, operations
• Examples and templates demonstrate practical usage

4. Quality Standards

All documentation must:

• ✅ Be reviewed by User Assistance (UA) developers
• ✅ Use consistent naming and terminology
• ✅ Include complete parameter and response descriptions
• ✅ Avoid sensitive data in examples
• ✅ Provide working code examples
• ✅ Maintain accurate links and cross-references

Quick Reference Tables

Character Limits

Element	Limit	Use Case
API Title	80	info.title in OpenAPI
API Short Text	180	x-sap-shortText
Package Short Desc	250	Package tile description
Operation Summary	255	Operation summary line
Description	1024	General descriptions

API Naming Rules

General Rules (all API types):

• ❌ Don't include "API" in name: "Custom Forms API" → ✅ "Custom Forms"
• ❌ Don't include "SAP" prefix: "SAP Document Approval" → ✅ "Document Approval"
• ❌ Don't use verbs: "Configuring Portal" → ✅ "Portal Configuration"
• ✅ Capitalize words properly
• ✅ Avoid technical specifics (REST, OData, etc.)

See references/naming-conventions.md for complete language-specific rules.

Common Documentation Tags

Java/JavaScript:

• @param <name> <description> - Parameter documentation
• @return <description> - Return value
• @throws <class> <description> - Exception
• @deprecated <description> - Deprecation notice

.NET:

• <summary> - Brief description
• <param name=""> - Parameter
• <returns> - Return value
• <exception cref=""> - Exception

See references/java-javascript-dotnet-guide.md for complete tag reference.

API Lifecycle States

State	Definition	Support	Metadata Required
Beta	Pre-production testing	No guarantees	state: beta
Active	Production-ready (default)	Full support	Optional
Deprecated	Replaced by successor	12+ months	state, deprecationDate, successorApi
Decommissioned	Fully retired	None	Document removal

See references/deprecation-policy.md for complete timeline and process requirements.

Templates Available

Ready-to-use templates in templates/ directory:

REST API Templates (2-Level)

1. rest-api-overview-template.md - Resource-level overview
2. rest-api-method-template.md - Individual endpoint details

OData API Templates (3-Level)

1. odata-service-overview-template.md - Complete service overview
2. odata-resource-template.md - Individual resource/entity set
3. odata-operation-template.md - Specific operation details

All templates include:

• Clear "How to Use" instructions
• [Placeholder text] for customization
• Complete section structure
• Working examples
• Inline guidance

Reference Files

Complete Guides Available

1. rest-odata-openapi-guide.md (2,800 lines)

   • Complete OpenAPI specification guidelines
   • Package, API, operation descriptions
   • Parameters, responses, components
   • Security schemes, tags, external docs
   • Character limits and anti-patterns

2. manual-templates-guide.md (2,765 lines)

   • REST API templates (2-level hierarchy)
   • OData API templates (3-level hierarchy)
   • Complete template structures
   • Field-by-field requirements
   • Best practices and examples

3. naming-conventions.md (2,059 lines)

   • REST/OData naming rules (resources, parameters, URIs)
   • Native library naming (classes, methods, constants, packages)
   • Language-specific conventions
   • Common mistakes with fixes
   • Decision trees and reference tables

4. quality-processes.md (1,774 lines)

   • Complete API Quality Checklist
   • Review workflows (developer + UA collaboration)
   • Development team guidelines
   • Common review findings and solutions
   • Process flowcharts

5. java-javascript-dotnet-guide.md (1,517 lines)

   • Documentation comments structure
   • Language-specific tags (Java, JavaScript, .NET, C/C++)
   • Templates for classes, methods, enums
   • Complete code examples
   • Best practices by language

6. developer-guides.md (704 lines)

   • Guide structure standards
   • Topic types (concept, reference, task)
   • Content selection criteria
   • Code sample standards (compilable, concise, commented)
   • Best practices

7. deprecation-policy.md (664 lines)

   • API lifecycle states (beta, active, deprecated, decommissioned)
   • Timeline requirements (12+ months support, 24+ months lifespan)
   • Required metadata (x-sap-stateInfo, artifact.json)
   • Decommission process
   • Complete examples

8. glossary-resources.md (472 lines)

   • Complete terminology definitions (API, OData, OpenAPI, etc.)

   • External resource links (standards, tools, SAP resources)

   • Quick reference tables

   • Tool documentation links

   • Content extraction and organization tracking

   • Source file mapping from SAP documentation

   • Consolidation and adaptation notes

Bundled Resources

This skill includes comprehensive documentation and templates organized for optimal use:

Reference Guides (references/)

• 9 detailed reference files (10,861 total lines)
• Complete coverage of SAP API Style Guide standards
• Progressive disclosure architecture for efficient loading

Template Files (templates/)

1. rest-api-overview-template.md (217 lines) - Level 1 REST overview
2. rest-api-method-template.md (477 lines) - Level 2 REST method details
3. odata-service-overview-template.md (411 lines) - Level 1 OData service
4. odata-resource-template.md (557 lines) - Level 2 OData resource
5. odata-operation-template.md (681 lines) - Level 3 OData operation

Total: 2,343 lines of ready-to-use templates

Instructions for Use

Step 1: Identify API Type

Determine if you're documenting REST, OData, Java, JavaScript, .NET, or C/C++ API.

Step 2: Choose Approach

Auto-Generated: Write documentation comments in source code → Use appropriate tags → Submit for review

Manual: Select template from templates/ → Customize [placeholders] → Follow hierarchy → Validate with checklist

Step 3: Apply Standards

Consult appropriate reference file:

• Naming: naming-conventions.md
• Descriptions: rest-odata-openapi-guide.md or java-javascript-dotnet-guide.md
• Quality: quality-processes.md
• Deprecation: deprecation-policy.md

Step 4: Quality Check

Before publishing:

1. Review against API Quality Checklist (quality-processes.md)
2. Verify naming conventions (naming-conventions.md)
3. Check character limits (see Quick Reference Tables above)
4. Validate no sensitive data in examples
5. Test all code examples
6. Verify links work
7. Obtain UA developer review

Step 5: Publish

• REST/OData: Submit to SAP API Business Hub
• Java/JavaScript/.NET: Generate with appropriate tool (Javadoc, JSDoc, DocFX)
• Developer Guides: Publish to SAP Help Portal or product documentation

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Naming:

• ❌ Including "API": "Custom Forms APIs" → ✅ "Custom Forms"
• ❌ Using "SAP" prefix: "SAP Document Approval" → ✅ "Document Approval"
• ❌ Using verbs: "Configuring Portal" → ✅ "Portal Configuration"

Descriptions:

• ❌ Second person: "This operation creates..." → ✅ "Creates a new user"
• ❌ Generic responses: "No content" → ✅ "Product is out of stock"
• ❌ Repeating summary in description

Documentation:

• ❌ Skipping UA review
• ❌ Including sensitive data in examples
• ❌ Missing required tags
• ❌ Inconsistent terminology

See individual reference files for complete anti-patterns and fixes.

External Resources

Standards

• OpenAPI Specification: https://spec.openapis.org/oas/latest.html
• OData v4.01: https://www.odata.org/documentation/
• Javadoc: https://www.oracle.com/technical-resources/articles/java/javadoc-tool.html
• JSDoc 3: https://jsdoc.app/
• Doxygen: https://www.doxygen.nl/

SAP Resources

• SAP API Business Hub: https://api.sap.com/
• SAP Developer Center: https://developers.sap.com/
• SAP Help Portal: https://help.sap.com/
• SAP Community: https://community.sap.com/

Source

• SAP API Style Guide: https://github.com/SAP-docs/api-style-guide

Updates and Maintenance

Source Version: SAP API Style Guide 2025.01 (verified against commit 902247f)

Recent Changes:

• Source repository updated 2025-10-28
• Reference file line counts verified and updated
• Added comprehensive Table of Contents for navigation
• Added Bundled Resources section for content discovery

To Update This Skill:

1. Check source repository for changes: https://github.com/SAP-docs/api-style-guide
2. Review "What's New in the Style Guide"
3. Update affected reference files
4. Update templates if standards changed
5. Update "Last Verified" date

Quarterly Review Recommended: Check for updates every 3 months

Next Review: 2026-02-27

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Skill Version: 1.1.0 Last Updated: 2025-11-27 License: GPL-3.0 Maintainer: SAP Skills Team | https://github.com/secondsky/sap-skills