In REST API consumption, what should be done after getting the JSON response?

In REST API consumption, after receiving a JSON response, it is essential to validate the structure of the data before taking any further steps. Validating the structure ensures that the response conforms to the expected format, which is critical for the successful processing of the data.

When a JSON response is received, the data needs to be properly structured to ensure that the application can understand and manipulate it correctly. This involves checking for the presence of expected fields, confirming that the data types match what is expected (e.g., strings, integers, arrays), and ensuring that there are no unexpected fields that could cause errors when the application attempts to use this data.

Without this validation, there is a risk of running into runtime errors later in the workflow where assumptions about the data structure fail. Although analyzing the data, logging the responses, and copying the JSON response could be part of the API consumption process, the immediate critical action after receiving the response is to validate its structure. This makes it easier to handle any discrepancies and ensures a smooth integration of the API data into your application.