REST API Best practice ? return Empty object vs no object

5

The bounty expires in 16 hours. Answers to this question are eligible for a +50 reputation bounty. maaz is looking for an answer from a reputable source.

let's say i have an API that returns users wallet balance and List of wallet transactions which is going to expiry

response = {
   user_balance: 20
   expiring_credits : [
     {object 1 }
     {object 2}
   ]
}

in case if user dont have any expiring transactions we can format respose in 2 ways option 1

 response = {
   user_balance: 20
 }

option 2

  response = {
    user_balance: 20
    expiring_credits : []
  }

which is the ideal option or best practices? and why? looking for some expert insights. many thanks.

javascript node.js api rest backend

Share

Improve this question

asked Apr 25 at 10:32

maazmaaz

2,8891616 gold badges4949 silver badges8888 bronze badges

Add a comment  |