Superset API Semantic Versioning Policy A Comprehensive Guide

Hey guys! Let's dive into the exciting world of Superset API semantic versioning. In this article, we'll explore the proposed changes, motivations, and the overall impact on users and developers. We'll break down the key concepts in a casual and friendly tone, ensuring you grasp the essence of these updates.

Motivation Behind the API Semantic Versioning Policy

When it comes to providing a stable, reliable, and consistent API, the driving force behind this proposal is to enhance the experience for all users and partners interacting with Superset. Our API is a critical interface for third-party systems and integrations, and it’s crucial to ensure it functions smoothly. This isn't just about making it easier to use; it’s about ensuring the API can effectively support the diverse and evolving needs of everyone involved. Think of it as building a solid foundation for a skyscraper – the stronger the foundation, the taller and more stable the building. A stable API is like that foundation, allowing developers to build robust integrations without worrying about sudden disruptions.

We understand that a reliable API is crucial for the smooth operation of third-party systems. So, we’re committed to delivering a user-friendly experience that prioritizes reliability and consistency. By focusing on API stability, we aim to foster a more seamless and efficient development process. This means fewer headaches, less debugging, and more time spent on building innovative solutions. This is why this initiative is vital – it directly translates to a better experience for you, the user, and it helps Superset maintain its reputation as a dependable platform.

Additionally, this semantic versioning policy will facilitate long-term planning and development efforts. When developers know that the API will remain consistent, they can confidently invest time and resources in building integrations. It also enables better collaboration among teams, as everyone can rely on a clear and predictable interface. In essence, a stable API acts as a contract, assuring developers that the tools they are using today will continue to work tomorrow. It’s this commitment to forward-thinking design that makes this change significant.

Proposed Changes to API Semantic Versioning

The plan? A sequential pattern for API semantic versioning – think v1, v2, v3, and so on. The core principle here is simple yet powerful: avoiding backward-breaking changes. We're dedicated to ensuring that changes to the API won’t disrupt existing integrations. This principle acts as a safety net, ensuring that your current setups continue to work flawlessly even as we introduce new features and improvements. It’s all about providing a stable platform that you can rely on.

Currently, each API endpoint clearly displays the version number in its URL, like /api/v1/data. Here, v1 indicates it’s version 1 of the API. This approach provides transparency and ensures developers can quickly identify the API version they're working with. Clarity in versioning is key to efficient and error-free development. By making the version number explicit in the URL, we eliminate any guesswork and streamline the development process. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in terms of usability and maintainability.

Under our new policy, maintaining stability and backward compatibility is our priority. So, we won’t push breaking changes to an existing API; these will only appear in a new API version. This approach simplifies change management and enhances API reliability for everyone. Essentially, we're creating separate lanes for new and potentially disruptive changes, keeping the existing lanes smooth and stable. This means your existing applications and integrations won’t suddenly break when we roll out updates. It’s a commitment to continuous improvement without sacrificing stability.

Moreover, individual endpoint deprecations won’t be removed during open-source Superset major versions. The @deprecations decorator will now refer to API versions, not application versions. So, we won’t mark a specific endpoint as deprecated, but rather the entire version. This ensures a clear and consistent understanding of deprecation status across different versions. When a new API version is released, every endpoint on the old version will have the @deprecation flag. This is about providing a clear signal to developers about which versions are nearing their end-of-life, giving them ample time to migrate to newer, supported versions.

A new API version can roll out during any release, but the removal of old API versions will only happen with a major Superset release. This gives users and partners sufficient notice and time to update their systems to a newer API version. It's like giving you a heads-up well in advance so you can prepare for the transition. We understand that changes require adaptation, and we’re committed to making that process as smooth as possible. By timing removals with major releases, we align API versioning with significant application updates, making it easier for you to plan your upgrades.

We're committed to supporting up to two API versions at a time. This means when a new version is released, we'll continue to support the previous one to ensure a seamless transition. Think of it as having a safety net while you upgrade. This dual-support system provides a buffer, giving users and partners time to adapt to the new version without disruption. It’s a crucial part of our strategy to maintain a stable environment while still pushing forward with improvements.

It’s also important to note that our API functions independently of the application. This allows developers and partners to use the API without delving into Superset application specifics. This independence fosters flexibility, enabling third-party systems to interact with our API effectively, regardless of changes within the Superset application itself. We're aiming for a robust and stable API that serves as a reliable interface for a wide range of systems. This means you can integrate Superset into your workflows with confidence, knowing that the API is designed to be consistent and dependable.

Rolling Out a New API Version: Beta Phases and Configuration

While crafting the new API, we can mark the new version as beta – perhaps through a decorator that logs a message indicating it’s in beta. This allows us to gather feedback and fine-tune the API before its full release. Beta phases are crucial for catching any unforeseen issues and ensuring the API meets the needs of our users. We’ll then copy over or rewrite existing APIs to the new version endpoint and point all existing Superset API versions to the new one. To streamline this transition, having a config in the application that points all client-side endpoints to one version will be beneficial.

This configuration acts as a central switch, making it easier to manage API versions and ensure consistency across the application. It’s like having a master control panel for your API interactions. By centralizing this configuration, we reduce the risk of inconsistencies and simplify the process of updating to a new API version. This is a practical approach aimed at minimizing disruption and making the upgrade process as smooth as possible.

Maintaining Two APIs Simultaneously: Ensuring Smooth Transitions

Maintaining two API versions might seem like added work, but it’s a necessary step for a smooth transition. When a new version launches, the old one stays available, giving users time to adjust. This dual availability provides stability and prevents disruptions. It's a thoughtful approach that prioritizes the user experience, ensuring you're not left scrambling to update your integrations overnight.

While we support two API versions for a smooth transition, we won’t keep both around longer than needed. Once users have had time to migrate, the older version will be retired. This ensures our resources focus on maintaining and improving the most current and efficient API version. It’s about balancing the need for backward compatibility with the importance of moving forward with the latest advancements. By eventually phasing out older versions, we can dedicate our efforts to providing the best possible experience with the current API.

In the Superset application, it should only run on one API version at a time. Users should stick to endpoints from a single API version, rather than mixing them. This ensures consistency and reduces potential errors. Consistency is key to reliable performance, and using a single API version helps maintain that. By encouraging users to stick to one version at a time, we minimize the risk of conflicts and unexpected behavior. This is a practical measure designed to ensure a smooth and predictable experience.

Transparency and communication are crucial during this period. We'll provide clear documentation and support to help users understand the differences between versions and guide them through the transition. Regular updates on the old API’s status, including the planned deprecation date, will be communicated to all users. We believe in keeping you informed every step of the way. By providing clear and timely updates, we empower you to plan your upgrades effectively and avoid any surprises. It’s about fostering a collaborative environment where everyone is aware of the changes and how they will be affected.

New or Changed Public Interfaces: End-of-Life Notices

Consider an optional configuration allowing an End-of-Life (EOL) date with API deprecation notices. This clearly states when deprecated API versions will no longer be supported, helping developers plan their migration to newer versions. Providing this upfront information helps developers plan their migration effectively. By setting clear timelines, we give you the tools you need to manage your upgrades proactively. It’s about empowering you to stay ahead of the curve and minimize potential disruptions.

New Dependencies: Flask App Builder Configurations

We may need to tweak configurations in Flask App Builder (FAB) to support more than one API version at a time. This ensures the framework can handle multiple API versions smoothly. It's a technical adjustment behind the scenes, but it's crucial for ensuring that our infrastructure can support the dual-API approach. By making these necessary adjustments, we’re paving the way for a seamless transition to new API versions.

Migration Plan and Compatibility: Revising Deprecation Flags

To implement this change, we'll revise existing deprecation flags to reference API versions instead of application versions. This provides clarity and consistency in our deprecation strategy. Aligning deprecation flags with API versions makes it easier to understand the support status of different API features. It’s a detail-oriented approach that simplifies the management of deprecated features and ensures developers have a clear understanding of what’s supported and what’s not.

Rejected Alternatives: Why We Chose This Approach

We considered aligning the API versioning system with the application’s, but it presented problems. Maintaining an old version alongside a new one would require inventive API endpoint naming, potentially deviating from RESTful standards. Also, synchronizing version bumps for both Superset and calling services could be challenging. This decision was made after careful consideration of various factors, including usability, maintainability, and scalability. We opted for an approach that best balances stability with the ability to evolve the API over time.

For instance, a breaking change to the /chart GET endpoint would necessitate renaming the resource to create a new alternative while deprecating the old one. We also noted that some API versions use minor versions, but the added complexity didn’t justify the benefits. Our chosen strategy aligns with industry best practices for API versioning, aiming for a stable and reliable API that’s flexible enough for future improvements. It’s a pragmatic approach designed to meet the long-term needs of our users and partners.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these changes to Superset's API semantic versioning policy are all about fostering stability, reliability, and consistency. By implementing these changes thoughtfully, we aim to provide a seamless and efficient development experience for everyone. Thanks for taking the time to understand these important updates, guys! We believe these steps will make Superset an even more powerful and dependable platform for all your data exploration needs.