Understanding the Functionality of `springdoc-openapi-maven-plugin` Configuration: What is `apiDocsUrl`?

What is the function of the `apiDocsUrl` configuration in the `springdoc-openapi-maven-plugin`?

The `apiDocsUrl` parameter in the `springdoc-openapi-maven-plugin` is crucial for defining the endpoint from which the OpenAPI documentation can be accessed in a Spring Boot application. This configuration allows developers to customize the URL that serves the OpenAPI specification, ensuring it aligns with their project's structure and deployment requirements.

```xml
<build>
    <plugins>
        <plugin>
            <groupId>org.springdoc</groupId>
            <artifactId>springdoc-openapi-maven-plugin</artifactId>
            <version>1.5.10</version>
            <configuration>
                <apiDocsUrl>/api-docs</apiDocsUrl>
            </configuration>
        </plugin>
    </plugins>
</build>
```

Causes

• Developers may want to specify a custom URL for the API documentation to maintain consistency across different environments (development, staging, production).
• The default documentation URL may not match the application's context path or may be unnecessary in certain deployment scenarios.

Solutions

• To configure `apiDocsUrl`, modify the `pom.xml` file of your Spring Boot project. You need to specify the appropriate endpoint under the `configuration` section of the `springdoc-openapi-maven-plugin`.
• Use the following snippet as a guide:
• ```xml <build> <plugins> <plugin> <groupId>org.springdoc</groupId> <artifactId>springdoc-openapi-maven-plugin</artifactId> <version>1.5.10</version> <configuration> <apiDocsUrl>/api-docs</apiDocsUrl> </configuration> </plugin> </plugins> </build> ```
• This setup ensures that your API documentation is accessible at the specified path.

Mistake: Not updating the `apiDocsUrl` when changing the application's context path.

Solution: Ensure to update the `apiDocsUrl` to match the new context for proper access.

Mistake: Forgetting to add the plugin or misconfiguring the XML structure in the `pom.xml`.

Solution: Double-check your Maven `pom.xml` file to ensure that the plugin entry is correctly structured.