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Contract changes reach consumers without compatibility checks and a transition path.
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Theoretical construct: explains a term, principle, or mental model.
Concrete cog in the system that works inside larger relationships.
Uncontrolled breaking API changes occur when changes to endpoints, data formats, or behavior make existing clients fail without migration.
The problem became visible as API providers and consumers grew more independent. Google's API Design Guide, used internally since 2014, therefore treats backward compatibility and versioning as core design responsibilities.
An API contract includes names, types, required fields, errors, and observable behavior. Changes are checked against consumers and introduced with a version, migration, or coordinated retirement.
The interface and behavior form consumer expectations.
Existing callers can continue using their integration.
Changes get transition steps, tests, and a sunset date.
Deliberate contract management prevents unplanned client outages and makes API evolution predictable.
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