Api — Design For C

: Return consistent error codes or use a "status" type for every function. Many successful C APIs return an integer status and use out-parameters for actual data.

: Study the headers of widely used C libraries like libgeos or MATLAB's C API to see how they handle stability and cross-language compatibility. API Design for C

: Since C has a flat namespace, use consistent prefixes for all public functions and types (e.g., libname_create_context() ) to avoid naming collisions with other libraries. : Return consistent error codes or use a

Creating a high-quality API for C requires balancing the language's low-level power with the need for safety, readability, and long-term stability. Unlike C++, C lacks built-in features like classes and namespaces, so designers must rely on disciplined conventions and patterns to provide a clean interface. Core Principles of C API Design : Since C has a flat namespace, use