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Glossary and External Resources

Source: https://github.com/SAP-docs/api-style-guide/ Last Verified: 2025-11-21

Attribution: Content derived from SAP API Style Guide (Licensed under CC BY 4.0)

Changes: Consolidated from multiple source files, reorganized for progressive disclosure, added examples and templates.

Table of Contents

  1. Glossary
  2. External Resources
  3. SAP-Specific Resources
  4. Quick Reference

Glossary

A

API (Application Programming Interface) An interface provided by an application for interacting with other applications. Enables software programs to exchange information across organizational boundaries by selectively exposing functionality.

API Documentation Comment Combines descriptions and block tags in source code for generating API reference documentation. Used by documentation generators like Javadoc, JSDoc, and Doxygen.

API Documentation Generators Tools like Javadoc, JSDoc, Doxygen, and Swagger that extract comments from source code and produce structured documentation.

C

Code Sample File A complete, working example demonstrating API features that ships with SDKs. More comprehensive than code snippets, showing real-world implementation patterns.

Code Snippet Several lines of code illustrating API method usage. Typically embedded in documentation to demonstrate specific functionality.

Component (OpenAPI) Reusable object definitions in OpenAPI Specification 3.0+ (called "Definitions" in version 2.0). Includes schemas, parameters, responses, examples, etc.

D

Decommissioned APIs that have been fully retired and cannot be used in production. Final state in API lifecycle.

Definition (OpenAPI) See Component. Term used in OpenAPI Specification 2.0 for reusable objects.

Demo Application A basic implementation provided with SDKs showing main API capabilities and typical usage patterns.

Deprecated API elements no longer supported in future releases, marked with the x-sap-stateInfo attribute or @deprecated tag. Not encouraged for use but still functional.

Documentation Tag Special marker instructing documentation generators how to format comment sections. Examples: @param, @return, <summary>, \file.

E

Entity (OData) Typed data object in OData Entity Data Model (EDM). Examples: Customer, Employee, Order.

Entity Data Model (EDM) Structured data description in OData protocol defining entities, entity sets, relationships, and operations.

Entity Set (OData) Named collection of entities. Example: "Customers" is an entity set containing Customer entities.

Exception Documented errors occurring during method execution, typically using @throws, @exception, or <exception> tags.

M

Metadata (OData) XML document describing the structure of an OData service. Accessible at $metadata endpoint (e.g., [https://api.sap.com/odata/$metadata](https://api.sap.com/odata/$metadata)).

O

OData (Open Data Protocol) A REST-based protocol for querying and updating data, built on HTTP, Atom/XML, and JSON standards. Maintained by OASIS Open.

Operation (REST/OData) HTTP method (GET, PUT, POST, DELETE, PATCH) for manipulating endpoints or performing actions on resources.

OpenAPI Specification Community-driven open specification for RESTful APIs under the OpenAPI Initiative. Version 3.0.3 is current standard.

P

Parameter Option passed with a path, such as filtering criteria, sorting options, or pagination controls. Can appear in path, query, header, body, or formData.

Partner APIs APIs created by SAP partners for customers, published on the SAP API Business Hub.

Path (REST/OData) Endpoint or resource in API URLs. Examples: /users, /users/{id}, /orders/{orderId}/items.

Private APIs APIs restricting access to vendors, partners, or selected customers. Not publicly available.

Public APIs APIs available in the public domain that become vendor-client contracts. Require careful versioning and deprecation management.

R

Resource (REST/OData) Concept or object that users want to control through HTTP requests. Identified by URIs and manipulated using HTTP methods.

Response HTTP status code combined with outcome description, optionally including response body with data or error information.

REST API (Representational State Transfer) Architectural style enabling cross-platform CRUD operations over HTTP. Focuses on resources rather than actions.

Return Type/Value Data returned by methods, documented using @return, @returns, or <returns> tags.

S

Schema (OpenAPI) Data structure definition describing request/response formats. Defines properties, types, required fields, and validation rules.

SPI (Service Provider Interface) Vendor-defined interface intended for third-party implementation, extending or customizing API functionality.

X

x-sap-stateInfo SAP-specific OpenAPI extension attribute defining API lifecycle state: beta, active, deprecated, or decommissioned.

External Resources

API Standards & Specifications

OpenAPI Specification

URL: https://spec.openapis.org/oas/latest.html

Description: The standard for RESTful APIs. A community-driven open specification within the OpenAPI Initiative for describing HTTP APIs in a machine-readable format.

Use For:

  • REST API specification structure
  • OpenAPI document format
  • API schema definitions
  • Operation documentation

Current Version: 3.0.3 (3.1.0 available)

OData Specification

URL: https://www.odata.org/documentation/

Description: The standard for OData maintained by OASIS Open. Defines protocol for querying and updating data over HTTP.

Use For:

  • OData service structure
  • EDM (Entity Data Model) design
  • Query operation syntax
  • OData conventions

Supported Versions: 4.01, 3.0, 2.0

Documentation Tools

Java - Javadoc

URL: https://www.oracle.com/technical-resources/articles/java/javadoc-tool.html

Description: Oracle's guidance on "How to Write Doc Comments for the Javadoc Tool" through their Technology Network.

Use For:

  • Java API documentation
  • Javadoc tag reference
  • Documentation comment format
  • Tool usage and configuration

Official Oracle Reference: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/tools/windows/javadoc.html

JavaScript - JSDoc

URL: https://jsdoc.app/

Description: JSDoc 3 documentation generator available on GitHub. Comprehensive tag reference and examples.

Use For:

  • JavaScript API documentation
  • JSDoc tag syntax
  • TypeScript documentation
  • Node.js project documentation

Tag Reference: https://jsdoc.app/index.html#block-tags

Markdown Support: https://jsdoc.app/about-including-markdown.html

Microsoft .NET

C# XML Documentation URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/xmldoc/

Description: Microsoft's official guidance for C# XML documentation comments.

Use For:

  • .NET API documentation
  • XML comment syntax
  • Visual Studio integration
  • IntelliSense support

.NET Naming Guidelines URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/design-guidelines/naming-guidelines

Description: Microsoft's official naming conventions for .NET libraries.

Use For:

  • .NET naming standards
  • PascalCase/camelCase usage
  • Namespace organization
  • Framework design guidelines

C/C++ - Doxygen

URL: https://www.doxygen.nl/

Description: Documentation generator supporting multiple languages including C++, C#, PHP, Java, and Python.

Use For:

  • C/C++ API documentation
  • Multi-language documentation
  • Diagram generation
  • Cross-platform documentation

Manual: https://www.doxygen.nl/manual/

Python - Sphinx

URL: https://www.sphinx-doc.org/

Description: Documentation generator for Python with reStructuredText support.

Use For:

  • Python API documentation
  • Python package documentation
  • Technical documentation
  • ReadTheDocs integration

SAP-Specific Resources

SAP API Business Hub

URL: https://api.sap.com/

Description: Central repository for SAP's REST and OData API references. Provides interactive API exploration, testing, and documentation.

Use For:

  • Publishing REST/OData APIs
  • Discovering SAP APIs
  • Testing API endpoints
  • Downloading API specifications

Login Required: SAP account needed for full access

SAP Help Portal

URL: https://help.sap.com/

Description: Comprehensive SAP product documentation and help resources.

Use For:

  • Product documentation
  • Technical guides
  • Configuration guides
  • Release notes

SAP Developer Center

URL: https://developers.sap.com/

Description: Resources for SAP developers including tutorials, code samples, and developer guides.

Use For:

  • Getting started tutorials
  • Code samples
  • Developer community
  • Learning paths

Tutorial Navigator: https://developers.sap.com/tutorial-navigator.html

SAP Community

URL: https://community.sap.com/

Description: SAP's community platform for asking questions, sharing knowledge, and connecting with other developers.

Use For:

  • Community support
  • Best practices
  • Code sharing
  • Networking

SAP Business Accelerator Hub (formerly API Business Hub)

URL: https://api.sap.com/

Description: Updated name for SAP API Business Hub. Provides APIs, events, and integrations.

Use For:

  • API discovery and exploration
  • Integration content
  • Pre-built integrations
  • API package management

SAP-Specific Resources

SAP API Style Guide Repository

URL: https://github.com/SAP-docs/api-style-guide

Description: Official SAP API Style Guide source repository containing all documentation standards.

Contents:

  • API naming guidelines
  • REST/OData documentation standards
  • Java/JavaScript/.NET documentation
  • Manual template guidelines
  • Deprecation policy
  • Quality processes

Last Updated: 2021.01

Clone Command:

git clone [https://github.com/SAP-docs/api-style-guide.git](https://github.com/SAP-docs/api-style-guide.git)

SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform)

Cockpit: https://cockpit.sap.com/

Documentation: https://help.sap.com/docs/BTP

API Documentation: Available through SAP API Business Hub

SAP Integration Suite

URL: https://help.sap.com/docs/INTEGRATION_SUITE

Includes:

  • API Management
  • Integration Advisor
  • Open Connectors
  • API Designer (bundled with Integration Suite)

Use For:

  • Creating and managing APIs
  • API design and development
  • Integration patterns
  • API lifecycle management

SAP NetWeaver

JavaScript API Example: Available through SAP NetWeaver documentation

URL: https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_NETWEAVER

Use For:

  • JavaScript API patterns
  • NetWeaver-specific documentation
  • Portal development

Quick Reference

By Language/Technology

Language/Tech Standard Tool Documentation
Java Javadoc javadoc Oracle Javadoc
JavaScript JSDoc 3 jsdoc JSDoc
.NET (C#) XML Comments DocFX, Sandcastle Microsoft XML Docs
C/C++ Doxygen doxygen Doxygen Manual
Python reStructuredText Sphinx Sphinx
REST OpenAPI Swagger, Redoc OpenAPI Spec
OData OData 4.01 Various OData.org

By Documentation Type

Documentation Type Primary Resource Secondary Resource
REST API Reference OpenAPI Spec SAP API Business Hub
OData API Reference OData Spec SAP API Business Hub
Java API Reference Javadoc Guide SAP Naming Guidelines
JavaScript API Reference JSDoc Guide SAP Naming Guidelines
.NET API Reference Microsoft XML Docs SAP Naming Guidelines
Developer Guides SAP Developer Center SAP Help Portal
Tutorials SAP Tutorial Navigator SAP Community
Code Samples SAP API Business Hub GitHub

By Task

Task Resource URL
Find SAP APIs SAP API Business Hub https://api.sap.com/
Learn SAP Development SAP Developer Center https://developers.sap.com/
Read Product Docs SAP Help Portal https://help.sap.com/
Ask Questions SAP Community https://community.sap.com/
Design REST APIs OpenAPI Spec https://spec.openapis.org/
Design OData APIs OData Spec https://www.odata.org/
Write Java Docs Javadoc Guide https://www.oracle.com/technical-resources/articles/java/javadoc-tool.html
Write JS Docs JSDoc Guide https://jsdoc.app/
Write .NET Docs Microsoft Docs https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/xmldoc/
Generate C++ Docs Doxygen https://www.doxygen.nl/

Version Information

API Standard Versions

Standard Current Version Previous Versions Status
OpenAPI 3.0.3 2.0 (Swagger), 3.1.0 Active
OData 4.01 4.0, 3.0, 2.0 Active
Javadoc Java 17 Java 8, 11 Active
JSDoc 3.x 2.x Active
.NET XML .NET 6+ .NET Framework, .NET Core Active
Doxygen 1.9+ 1.8.x Active

SAP API Style Guide Versions

Version Date Key Changes
2021.01 January 2021 API Designer clarification, expanded description guidelines
Initial Earlier Base standards established

Related SAP Documentation

Official SAP Standards Documents

  1. SAP API Style Guide - This complete skill reference
  2. SAP Naming Conventions - naming-conventions.md
  3. SAP Quality Processes - quality-processes.md
  4. SAP Deprecation Policy - deprecation-policy.md
  5. SAP Developer Guides - developer-guides.md

SAP Cloud Documentation

SAP Development Tools

Document Version: 1.0.0 Last Updated: 2025-11-21 Maintainer: SAP Skills Team | https://github.com/secondsky/sap-skills

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