The Richardson maturity model is a model that was developed by Leonard Richardson, and its purpose is to measure the maturity of APIs by providing some general criteria. The model has four classification steps, from Level 0 to Level 3. The highest level corresponds to a more compliant service. This model isn't just for theoretical purposes; it also helps us understand some of the recommended methods for web service development. Let's take a look at an overview of these different levels. The following diagram shows the structure of the levels in the Richardson maturity model:
![](/api/v2/epubs/9781789537611/files/assets/0f85cdef-13d5-45cc-a224-12d1f075e2ae.png)
A generic service is at Level 0: The Swamp ...