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John Thompson • 500,000+ Enrollments Worldwide and Spring Ahead Code Academy

OpenAPI 3.0 is the leading tool for the documentation of APIs.

Formerly known as Swagger, OpenAPI has a long and established history. In 2010, Swagger started as an open source specification for designing and documenting RESTful APIs.

In 2015, the Swagger project was acquired by SmartBear Software. The Swagger Specification was donated to the Linux foundation and renamed the OpenAPI.

Read more

OpenAPI 3.0 is the leading tool for the documentation of APIs.

Formerly known as Swagger, OpenAPI has a long and established history. In 2010, Swagger started as an open source specification for designing and documenting RESTful APIs.

In 2015, the Swagger project was acquired by SmartBear Software. The Swagger Specification was donated to the Linux foundation and renamed the OpenAPI.

The OpenAPI specification is the cornerstone of a thriving open source community. Simply perform a search for OpenAPI tools and you will find projects for converters, documentation, validators, editors, mock servers, testing tools and much much more.

From the OpenAPI specification, you can generate client side source code for over 50 languages. You can generate server side code for over 40 different languages.

All of these open source contributes start with the OpenAPI specification, which we explore in depth in this course.

You start off the course with learning about what is an API, a review of the HTTP protocol and how it is used in respect to RESTFul APIs.

Then we start looking at OpenAPI and how it applies to documenting RESTFul APIs.

We then start writing an OpenAPI specification using Swagger Hub.

Swagger Hub is a free, easy to use on-line editor for Swagger and OpenAPI specifications.

You will get to create a complete OpenAPI specification for a RESTful web service.

Step by step, you learn how to:

  • Edit a OpenAPI specification in Swagger Hub

  • Define a OpenAPI specification in YAML

  • Add developer information

  • Add server information

  • Define an API path

  • Define an API operation

  • Create robust objects with JSON schema constraints

  • Improve the quality of your specification with re-useable components.

  • Define query parameters

  • Define path parameters

  • Define

    Course Extra - Access to a Private Slack Community

    You're not just enrolling in a course > You are joining a community learning about using OpenAPI.

    With your enrollment to the course, you can access an exclusive Slack community. Get help from the instructor and other gurus from around the world - in real time. This community is only available to students enrolled in this course. 

    This is a very active Slack community with almost 500 Gurus.

    With your enrollment, you can join this community of awesome gurus.

    Closed Captioning / Subtitles

    Closed captioning in english is available for all course videos.

    PDF Downloads

    All keynote presentations are available for you to download as PDFs.

    Lifetime Access

    When you purchase this course, you will receive lifetime access. You can login anytime from anywhere to access the course content.

    No Risk - Money Back Guarantee 

    You can buy this course with no risk. If you are unhappy with the course, for any reason, you can get a complete refund. The course has a 30 day Money Back Guarantee.

    Enroll today and see how easy it is to use OpenAPI for your RESTFul APIs.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn to define apis using openapi specifications
  • Create awesome api documentation with swagger ui
  • Edit openapi specifications in swagger hub

Syllabus

Introduction section for your OpenAPI (formerly Swagger) course.
Welcome
Meet Your Instructor
Getting the Most out of your OpenAPI Course
Read more

Learn why you wish to use OpenAPI in your organization

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Helps learners define APIs using OpenAPI Specifications and generate code for mobile, web, and desktop applications
Emphasizes using Swagger UI for creating robust API documentation
Provides an overview of HTTP and RESTful APIs
Covers advanced concepts such as components, security, and code generation
Taught by John Thompson, an experienced instructor with over 500,000 enrollments worldwide
Includes an exclusive Slack community for support and networking

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive openapi foundation with practical labs

According to students, this course provides an excellent and practical introduction to OpenAPI, making complex concepts clear and digestible for beginners. Learners particularly appreciate the hands-on labs and assignments using Swagger Hub, which are crucial for solidifying understanding and applying skills directly in work projects. The instructor's clear explanations and passion for the subject are consistently praised, along with the benefit of an active Slack community. While it offers a strong foundational knowledge, some suggest the 'Guru' portion could benefit from deeper exploration of advanced enterprise-level scenarios to truly match its title.
The private Slack community offers valuable real-time help and interaction.
"The Slack community is a huge bonus, allowing for real-time questions."
"Plus, the Slack community is very active and supportive."
"I find the Slack community to be a great resource for getting help from the instructor and other students."
Provides a strong, well-structured foundation for those new to OpenAPI.
"This course is an excellent introduction to OpenAPI!"
"The 'Beginner' part is well covered..."
"I feel much more confident in my ability to design and document APIs after this course."
Focus on practical application through labs and assignments is highly effective.
"The hands-on labs with Swagger Hub were incredibly useful and solidified my understanding."
"The step-by-step guidance on creating an entire OpenAPI spec from scratch was exactly what I needed."
"The assignments were practical and helped reinforce learning."
Instructor excels at making complex API concepts easy to grasp.
"The instructor does a fantastic job of explaining complex concepts in a clear and concise manner..."
"The instructor is fantastic and breaks down complex topics like JSON Schema constraints into easy-to-digest pieces."
"The explanations for parameters and components were very clear."
External tool interfaces may change, suggesting occasional demo updates are useful.
"I think updating some of the external tool demos would be beneficial, as web interfaces change."
"I found some of the initial setup slightly confusing due to external tool changes."
While strong on basics, some desire deeper 'Guru' level content.
"My only feedback is that it could go deeper into more advanced use cases or real-world enterprise scenarios to truly earn the 'Guru' title."
"The 'Beginner' part is well covered, but the 'Guru' part feels a bit lacking."
"I was hoping for more advanced patterns, perhaps integrating with CI/CD or more complex security scenarios beyond basic auth."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in OpenAPI: Beginner to Guru with these activities:
Review HTTP protocol
Understand the basics of HTTP, which is used in RESTful APIs
Browse courses on HTTP
Show steps
  • Review the HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
  • Review the HTTP status codes (200, 404, 500)
Practice defining API operations
Gain hands-on experience in defining API operations using OpenAPI
Browse courses on OpenAPI
Show steps
  • Create a new OpenAPI specification
  • Define a simple API operation (e.g., a GET operation to retrieve a list of users)
  • Test your API operation using a tool like Swagger Editor
Follow tutorials on OpenAPI best practices
Expand your knowledge of OpenAPI by following tutorials from experts
Browse courses on OpenAPI
Show steps
  • Search for tutorials on OpenAPI best practices
  • Follow a tutorial on a specific topic (e.g., security, versioning)
11 other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 14 activities
Attend a peer session on OpenAPI
Connect with other learners and discuss OpenAPI concepts
Browse courses on OpenAPI
Show steps
  • Find a peer session on OpenAPI
  • Attend the session and actively participate in discussions
Explore Swagger Editor
Become familiar with the Swagger Editor interface and understand how to use its tools.
Browse courses on Swagger Editor
Show steps
  • Access the Swagger Editor online tool.
  • Create a new OpenAPI Specification file.
  • Explore the different sections and features of the editor.
Join the Slack community for this course
Connect with fellow students and engage in discussions to reinforce your understanding.
Show steps
  • Join the Slack group using the provided link.
  • Introduce yourself and ask any questions you may have.
Define and document OpenAPI Specifications
Solidify your understanding and proficiency in defining and documenting APIs using OpenAPI Specifications.
Browse courses on OpenAPI
Show steps
  • Review the provided OpenAPI Specification documentation.
  • Use Swagger Hub to define an OpenAPI Specification for a RESTful web service.
Create an OpenAPI specification for a personal project
Apply your knowledge of OpenAPI by creating a specification for a real-world project
Browse courses on OpenAPI
Show steps
  • Choose a personal project that involves an API
  • Design the API using OpenAPI
  • Document the API using Swagger UI
Develop an OpenAPI Specification for a personal project
Gain hands-on experience by creating an OpenAPI Specification for a project of your choice.
Show steps
  • Identify a suitable project or API to document.
  • Use the OpenAPI Specification template to define the API.
  • Validate the specification using a tool like the OpenAPI Validator.
Attend an OpenAPI workshop or conference
Deepen your knowledge and stay updated on the latest trends and best practices.
Browse courses on OpenAPI
Show steps
  • Research and identify upcoming OpenAPI workshops or conferences.
  • Register and attend the event.
  • Actively participate in sessions and discussions.
Attend an OpenAPI meetup
Network with professionals in the OpenAPI community
Browse courses on OpenAPI
Show steps
  • Find an OpenAPI meetup in your area
  • Attend the meetup and introduce yourself to others
Participate in an OpenAPI hackathon or competition
Challenge yourself and apply your skills in a competitive environment.
Browse courses on OpenAPI
Show steps
  • Identify an upcoming OpenAPI hackathon or competition.
  • Form a team or participate individually.
  • Develop a unique and innovative OpenAPI-based solution.
Attend an OpenAPI workshop
Gain in-depth knowledge of OpenAPI through a hands-on workshop
Browse courses on OpenAPI
Show steps
  • Find an OpenAPI workshop that aligns with your learning goals
  • Register for the workshop and prepare for the session
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the exercises
Contribute to an OpenAPI-related open-source project
Make a valuable contribution to the OpenAPI community and enhance your understanding.
Browse courses on OpenAPI
Show steps
  • Identify an OpenAPI-related open-source project to contribute to.
  • Review the project's documentation and guidelines.
  • Submit a pull request with your proposed changes or contributions.
  • Collaborate with other contributors to improve the project.

Career center

Learners who complete OpenAPI: Beginner to Guru will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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