Design Decisions: Separate DTOs in PHP
The article discusses the design decision of using separate DTOs for API endpoints in a PHP project. Instead of serializing the entity objects, each endpoint has its own request and response DTOs. This approach ensures that private internal data is not leaked and allows for explicit mapping of data. The article highlights the benefits of using defined DTOs, such as preventing accidental data leaks and enabling a separation of concerns between the entity and the serialized data format. However, it also acknowledges the downside of creating similar classes to the entity. The author concludes that there is no right or wrong answer and that each approach has its pros and cons. This article provides valuable insights for PHP developers looking to make informed decisions about handling input and output for API endpoints.