What type of specifications does MuleSoft recommend for clear API documentation?

MuleSoft highly recommends RAML (RESTful API Modeling Language) and OpenAPI Specification for clear API documentation due to their industry-standard status and comprehensive capabilities. Both formats provide a structured way to describe RESTful APIs, including endpoints, request parameters, responses, data models, and more. This standardization makes it easier for developers to understand how to use the APIs effectively and allows for better integration with various tools in the API ecosystem.

By adopting these specifications, teams can ensure that their APIs are well-documented, which enhances collaboration among developers, accelerates the onboarding process, and improves the overall user experience when dealing with APIs. Additionally, tools within the MuleSoft ecosystem, such as Anypoint Platform, support these specifications natively, which streamlines the API development lifecycle and facilitates better governance and versioning of APIs.

Using XML-Based formats only is less favored because they are often more complex and less human-readable compared to RAML and OpenAPI specifications. While RESTful model explanations may cover aspects of API design, they do not provide the structured format needed for comprehensive documentation. Proprietary internal formats could lead to challenges in sharing and collaboration since they may not adhere to widely understood standards, hindering the ease of use for external developers.