Which method allows for a standardized approach to define and document APIs?

The standardized approach to define and document APIs is effectively represented by RAML, which stands for RESTful API Modeling Language. RAML encourages a structured format to describe API endpoints, request and response types, and other essential metadata, making it easier for developers to understand and implement APIs consistently.

One of the primary advantages of using RAML is its clarity and simplicity, which enhances communication among stakeholders involved in API design and integration. Furthermore, RAML supports various features such as resource types, trait definitions, and data types, allowing for reusability and reducing redundancy in API definitions. This fosters better collaboration and helps maintain a consistent approach across API specifications.

In contrast, WSDL (Web Services Description Language) is used largely for SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) web services and is not as commonly applied to REST APIs. XML Schema focuses on defining the structure of XML documents rather than API specifications. CSV (Comma-Separated Values) formatting is primarily used for data storage and representation rather than for formally defining APIs. Thus, RAML stands out as the most suitable choice for an organized and standardized API definition methodology.