API Versioning in Speech
How to say v1/v2 API paths, migration announcements, and deprecation notices
Key rules
- /v2/ → "slash vee-two slash" or "the v-two endpoint" — say slashes only when dictating a URL to type
- v1 → "version one" or "vee-one" — "version one" is more formal; use it with clients
- "Slash v-one API" — the leading slash distinguishes the URL prefix from a product version
- Header vs URL versioning — two distinct API design strategies; know both spoken explanations
- Formality rule — expand to "version N" for clients/external stakeholders; "vN" fine internally
Question 0 of 5
Your API URL is /api/v2/users. How do you say this in a technical meeting?
Both "api version two users endpoint" and "api v two users" are natural. Saying every slash aloud ("slash api slash v two slash users") sounds robotic and is rarely done in conversation. In speech, developers collapse the path: "the v-two users endpoint" or "the version-two users route." Use the slashes only when spelling out a URL for someone to type.
How do you say the migration announcement: "We are deprecating v1 and moving to v2"?
All three phrasings are used. "Version one / version two" is the most formal and clearest. "V-one / v-two" (saying the letter V then the number) is common in technical emails and standups. "Vee-one / vee-two" is just spelling out the letter. None is wrong — choose based on formality. In written docs, "v1" / "v2" is standard notation.
A developer says: "We still support the slash v one API for legacy clients." What is "slash v one"?
"Slash v one" refers to the /v1/ path prefix. This is a common speech pattern where developers say the leading slash to indicate it's a URL segment rather than a product version: "/v1" = "slash vee-one." It distinguishes the API version path from a software version number like "release 1." Context: "still support the slash-v1 API" = the API endpoints at /v1/* are still live.
You are explaining: "The new endpoint is at v3, but v2 will be supported until end of year." Which spoken form sounds most natural in a client-facing call?
"Version three" and "version two" sound most professional on client-facing calls. Non-technical stakeholders and clients respond better to "version" than "v" or "vee." "V-three" is fine among developers but can sound abrupt in formal contexts. When the audience is mixed or external, expanding "v" to "version" shows clarity and care. Reserve shorthand for internal dev discussions.
Your team is discussing: "We should use header-based versioning instead of URL versioning." How do you explain the difference?
Correct. URL versioning: the version is in the path — "/v2/users" = "slash v two slash users." Header versioning: the version is in an HTTP header — "Accept: application/vnd.api+json;version=2" or "API-Version: 2." When speaking, say: "with URL versioning, clients call slash-v-two-slash-endpoint; with header versioning, they set the API-Version header to two." Being able to explain this clearly is important in API design discussions.