API getRelatives. Why change return format when private?

Question

getRelatives with getSpouses=1 (and similar) returns a nice nested json, eg

https://api.wikitree.com/api.php?action=getRelatives&fields=Name,Bio,IsRedirect,FirstName,LastNameAtBirth&keys=13767346&getParents=1&getChildren=1&getSiblings=1&getSpouses=1

When the connected profiles are private however, those profiles are not return, instead an empty [] (type: list) is returned. This change of type breaks simple validation. Could it be considered to return a simple empty {}?

Testcase: keys=31745274

Answer 1

I've wondered that myself before, but I've worked around it, checking for an array or an object, and it's possible that if this were changed now, some of my apps or WBE features may break.  I could fix them, but I'd rather not have to.

Comments

This is an instance where Michel's proposal that the API use a versioning scheme might come into its own.

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Yes, indeed, using versions is the way to manage these possibly breaking changes.

I have implemented an additional check, but would rather not do it.