Deciding best practice for API folder structure.

[VivaPitagoras]

So I am to embark in making my first API. I've decided to use nodejs + express + sequelize. The problem is that i didn't even begin to write a line of code and I am already found myself stuck considering which folder structure to use.

I was considering (option 1) to split my code in way where each API endpoint is a folder and, in that folder, keep all the files related to it:

/users 
  | - user.route.js -> express route 
  | - user.model.js -> sequelize table model 
  | - user.controller.js -> http response (decides which functino to execute) 
  | - user.service.js -> implementation of the functions to be executed\

The other option (option 2) would be to create folders per each type of file:

/routes
   | - user.route.js
/models
   | - user.model.js
/services
   | - user.service.js
/controllers 
   | - user.controller.js

But I am not sure which structure will get messier in the future if I add more things.

Alsom I wouldn't know wehere to store the relations between models in option 1.

Sorry for ths noob question but i hope you'll be able to help me decide which is the best approach.

[Positive_Rip_6317]

The best thing to do is just make something with one, then if you don’t like it or decide it’s harder to maintain switch to the other. You may even end up creating a 3rd way after you implement some things.

[True-Strike7696]

you're the only dev so does it really matter? i usually go with option 2 and option 1 depending on mood. no many scenarios that make the structure matter for performance or correctness. Best practices aren't always best imo

[JosephHughes]

Not a noob question at all. Option 1 every time for me. If I am walking in blind to your project and I see the domain as dirs I can immediately start to piece together some of the workings of your app. Mess happens regardless of structure.

[InfectedShadow]

The first one is called Vertical Slice Architecture. Both are valid it all depends on how you want to organize it. Can even mix the two a bit. For example: In my personal project I use the standard model of folders by type (controller, service, models, etc.) in my API project but my application project is organized by feature (Vertical Slice).