github.com/googleapis/api-linter@v1.65.2/README.md (about) 1 # Google API Linter 2 3 [](https://github.com/googleapis/api-linter/actions/workflows/ci.yaml) 4  5  6 7 The API linter provides real-time checks for compliance with many of Google's 8 API standards, documented using [API Improvement Proposals][]. It operates on 9 API surfaces defined in [protocol buffers][]. 10 11 It identifies common mistakes and inconsistencies in API surfaces: 12 13 ```proto 14 // Incorrect. 15 message GetBookRequest { 16 // This is wrong; it should be spelled `name`. 17 string book = 1; 18 } 19 ``` 20 21 When able, it also offers a suggestion for the correct fix. 22 23 [_Read more ≫_](https://linter.aip.dev/) 24 25 ## Versioning 26 27 The Google API linter does **not** follow semantic versioning. Semantic 28 versioning is challenging for a tool like a linter because the addition or 29 correction of virtually any rule is "breaking" (in the sense that a file that 30 previously reported no problems may now do so). 31 32 Therefore, the version numbers refer to the linter's core interface. In 33 general: 34 35 - Releases with only documentation, chores, dependency upgrades, and/or 36 bugfixes are patch releases. 37 - Releases with new rules (or potentially removed rules) are minor releases. 38 - Releases with core interface alterations are major releases. This could 39 include changes to the internal Go interface or the CLI user interface. 40 41 **Note:** Releases that increment the Go version will be considered minor. 42 43 This is an attempt to follow the spirit of semantic versioning while still 44 being useful. 45 46 ## Contributing 47 48 If you are interested in contributing to the API linter, please review the [contributing guide](https://linter.aip.dev/contributing) to learn more. 49 50 ## License 51 52 This software is made available under the [Apache 2.0][] license. 53 54 [apache 2.0]: https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 55 [api improvement proposals]: https://aip.dev/ 56 [protocol buffers]: https://developers.google.com/protocol-buffers 57 [rule documentation]: ./rules/index.md