An explanation of why you should use links instead of foreign keys in your web API

The article on the Google Cloud blog discusses the importance of using links instead of keys to represent relationships in APIs. The traditional approach often relies on keys to connect various resources, which can lead to unclear and challenging structures to manage. In contrast, using links allows for a more semantic representation of relationships, enhancing readability and facilitating integration with different systems. The author also emphasizes that links offer greater flexibility, as they can be easily updated, preventing issues related to losing the meaning of keys over time. Moreover, the article provides practical examples of using links that illustrate their advantages in the context of application and API development. In conclusion, it is worthwhile to consider adopting links in API projects to enhance their efficiency and usability.