RAML vs Swagger UI: What are the differences?

Introduction

RAML and Swagger UI are both popular tools used in API documentation. While they serve a similar purpose, there are several key differences between the two.

1. Syntax and Structure: RAML uses a YAML-based syntax that allows for a more declarative and human-readable design. On the other hand, Swagger UI uses a JSON-based syntax which is more widely adopted and supported.

2. Extensibility and Customization: RAML provides more flexibility in terms of extensibility and allows users to define their own custom elements and patterns. Swagger UI, on the other hand, has a more rigid structure and limited options for customization.

3. Tooling and Ecosystem: Swagger UI has a larger and more mature ecosystem with a wide range of tools and libraries available for various programming languages. RAML, on the other hand, has a smaller ecosystem and fewer community-supported tools.

4. API Specification Features: RAML includes features like resource types, traits, and libraries that allow for more modular and reusable API designs. Swagger UI, on the other hand, focuses more on providing a comprehensive documentation experience with features like interactive API exploration and testing.

5. Validation and Error Handling: RAML has built-in support for request/response validation and error handling, making it easier to detect and handle errors during the API development process. Swagger UI, on the other hand, provides limited validation capabilities and relies more on external tools and frameworks for error handling.

6. Adoption and Industry Support: Swagger UI has gained more widespread adoption and support from industry giants like Google, Microsoft, and IBM. RAML, on the other hand, is more commonly used in certain communities like the MuleSoft ecosystem.

In summary, RAML and Swagger UI differ in their syntax, extensibility, tooling ecosystem, API specification features, validation capabilities, and industry support.