Technical Story: https://github.com/SSWConsulting/SSW.CleanArchitecture/issues/202

Context and Problem Statement¶

We are not generating client side code anymore (which was one of the reasons we were using NSwag). Now that we are only generating the OpenAPI Spec, is it better to use NSwag or Swashbuckle to generate the spec. We still want an API UI Check with @matt-goldman , @drwharris , Alex Rothwell on feedback/opinions around this Enum generation needs to also be considered as this is often a painpoint

Decision Drivers ¶

• Extensibility
• Compatibility
• Project activity

Considered Options¶

1. NSwag + NSwag.MSBuild
2. Swashbuckle
3. NSwag (runtime only)

Decision Outcome¶

Chosen option: "NSwag (runtime only)", because the NSwag repo is more active than the Swashbuckle one. The removal of NSwag.MSBuild also improved build times.

Consequences ¶

• ✅ Clients that generate code can use nswag to generate their own code with a nice enum experience

Pros and Cons of the Options ¶

OPTION 1: NSwag + NSwag.MSBuild¶

Leave as is.

• ✅ Nothing to change
• ✅ specification.json is served as a static file = performance
• ✅ Project is actively developed
• ❌ Slower build times
• ❌ We aren't generating clients as part of the API - no benefit to the msbuild step
• ❌ nswag.config doesn't have great documentation (or a schema)

OPTION 2: Swashbuckle¶

This is the one included with the .NET templates

• ✅ Included in the templates
• ❌ Doesn't support DateOnly/TimeOnly OOTB - need extra package . What other packages will we need?
• ❌ Last commit on repo 2023-01-11 (13 months ago)
• ❌ Repo owner cannot justify spending time on the project - https://github.com/domaindrivendev/Swashbuckle.AspNetCore/issues/2759#issuecomment-1936136992

OPTION 3: NSwag (runtime only)¶

Same as option 1 but without MSBuild step

• ✅ Minimal changes to repo - less code
• ✅ Faster build times than option 1
• ✅ Project is actively developed
• ✅ No need for nswag.json - adds confusion as it doesn't have great documentation (or a schema)
• ❌ Now serving a runtime generated file instead of a static file
• ❌ NSwag still uses Newtonsoft.Json internally - although it is moving to System.Text.Json in the next major version v15