Useful Defaults and Easy Inputs

So, we've seen how enforcing restrictions on inputs to an endpoint can be helpful. However, excessive restrictions and requirements can hinder the user experience of an API. Let's take a closer look at the lightbulb fade action. In order to allow for the feature of fading over a period of time, we require the user to pass a value for the duration. Many people already have experience of using a fade action on a physical lightbulb.

With a physical lightbulb, we know that we input our desired brightness level by adjusting a physical switch or other input. The duration is not necessarily part of that process or consciously thought about by the user. This creates the expectation that you should be able to fade the light by only the desired level.

For this reason, we should consider making the duration value optional. In the case that a duration value is not received, the script will fall back to a default value. This allows us to meet user...