Скачать или смотреть How to Document multipart form list parameter in Spring REST Docs

Discover how to effectively document multipart form list parameters in Spring REST Docs using a straightforward approach without individual indices.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/75813449/ asked by the user 'LuxusIo' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/12477901/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/75827880/ provided by the user 'Andy Wilkinson' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/1384297/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Understanding Multipart Form List Parameters in Spring REST Docs

When developing web applications using Spring Boot, handling multipart forms can often raise questions, especially when it comes to documenting requests with list parameters. One common scenario developers face is how to correctly document multipart form data that includes a list of items. This guide will guide you through the process of documenting such parameters using Spring REST Docs.

The Challenge: Documenting List Parameters

Let's start with the example presented in the question. You have a controller that accepts a multipart form request containing a list of parameters. Below is the relevant portion of the code:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this scenario, you want to capture the id for each PostRow object in the list rows. While testing the API, you encountered an error related to undocumented request parameters. The typical parameters would look like rows[0].id and rows[1].id, which the REST Docs framework struggles to document correctly.

Understanding the Issue

The main problem here is that Spring REST Docs cannot inherently understand your naming convention for request parameters. The framework views rows[n].id as separate parameters instead of recognizing that they're part of the same list structure. This leads to errors such as:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This can be frustrating, especially when you want to avoid using indexed parameter naming.

The Solution: Documenting List Parameters Effectively

Currently, Spring REST Docs lacks built-in capabilities to automatically handle this kind of parameter. However, there’s a structured approach you can take to document your list parameters effectively without relying on indexed names.

Using a Common Parameter Name

Instead of using indexed names like rows[0].id and rows[1].id, you can simply use rows[].id. This is a more generic way of grouping parameters without specifying indices. Here's how you can adjust your test code for documentation purposes:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Takeaways

Avoid Indexed Parameter Naming: Stick to using rows[].id, which allows you to group the parameters without confusion.

Document Parameters Clearly: Ensure your documentation reflects that these parameters belong to a list structure.

Understand the Framework Limitations: Recognize that Spring REST Docs may require manual interventions for complex parameter structures.

Conclusion

Documenting multipart form list parameters in Spring REST Docs can initially seem challenging due to naming conventions. However, by adopting a simpler naming strategy such as using rows[].id, you can streamline your documentation process. While the framework may not automatically handle these conventions, proactive adjustments can keep your API documentation accurate and user-friendly.

Keep exploring the capabilities of Spring REST Docs and enhance your API documentation for better maintainability and clarity!