# Versioning API specifications, assets and implementations

*MuleSoft Developer II Study Guide · Expose production-ready Anypoint Platform-managed APIs from Mule applications · Last updated November 7, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/mulesoft-developer-ii/expose-production-ready-anypoint-platform-managed-apis-from-mule-applications/versioning-api-specifications-assets-and-implementations*

Separate consumer compatibility from Exchange publication versions and managed API identity. Plan specification changes, recover publishing conflicts and complete policy implementation updates.

- Certification: Salesforce MuleSoft Developer II
- Exam section: Expose production-ready Anypoint Platform-managed APIs from Mule applications
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/mulesoft-developer-ii

**Official exam objective:**

> Implement versioning of specific API-related artifacts.

## What the exam expects

- Classify a proposed API change by its effect on existing consumers.
- Keep the consumer contract version aligned with the Exchange publication family.
- Update a managed instance deliberately and plan separate instances for incompatible contracts.
- Distinguish an implementation deployment from specification and policy updates.
- Diagnose a reserved publication version without overwriting release history.

**API version** identifies the consumer contract; **asset version** identifies an Exchange publication; **API instance** is the managed API whose asset version is selected in API Manager; **policy definition** exposes policy configuration; **policy implementation** supplies its executable behavior. These are related release concerns with different update procedures ([API versions](https://docs.mulesoft.com/exchange/to-change-raml-version), [Instance versions](https://docs.mulesoft.com/api-manager/latest/manage-versions-instances-concept), [Policy updates](https://docs.mulesoft.com/mule-gateway/policies-included-apply)).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Publication identity | Exchange Version and API version are separate fields. | [API versions](https://docs.mulesoft.com/exchange/to-change-raml-version) |
| Compatible release | Minor and patch publications preserve the API version. | [API versions](https://docs.mulesoft.com/exchange/to-change-raml-version) |
| Breaking release | Required arguments and removed operations require a major change. | [API versions](https://docs.mulesoft.com/exchange/to-change-raml-version) |
| Consumer route | Use a simple major API identifier rather than dotted asset versions. | [API versions](https://docs.mulesoft.com/exchange/to-change-raml-version) |
| Managed selection | Update the instance's asset selection after publication. | [Instance versions](https://docs.mulesoft.com/api-manager/latest/manage-versions-instances-concept) |
| Cross-major migration | A different major asset family requires a new API instance. | [Instance versions](https://docs.mulesoft.com/api-manager/latest/manage-versions-instances-concept) |
| Deleted coordinates | A recently deleted GAV can conflict; publish the correction at a higher free version. | [Historical conflict guidance](https://docs.mulesoft.com/release-notes/exchange/anypoint-exchange-release-notes) |
| Policy patch | Definition selection needs a manual implementation-update check. | [Policy updates](https://docs.mulesoft.com/mule-gateway/policies-included-apply) |

## Check yourself

- Why should an editor select a minor asset version before changing its documentation pages?
- When uploading a specification ZIP, where must the main specification file reside?
- How does the asset portal separate minor-version and patch-version selection?

## Sources

- [Changing the Version of an API Asset](https://docs.mulesoft.com/exchange/to-change-raml-version)
- [Managing API Instance Versions](https://docs.mulesoft.com/api-manager/latest/manage-versions-instances-concept)
- [Asset Versions](https://docs.mulesoft.com/exchange/asset-versions)
- [Apply a Policy](https://docs.mulesoft.com/mule-gateway/policies-included-apply)
- [Mule Gateway Policies Overview](https://docs.mulesoft.com/mule-gateway/policies-policy-overview)
- [Anypoint Exchange Release Notes](https://docs.mulesoft.com/release-notes/exchange/anypoint-exchange-release-notes)
- [Managing Asset Deletion](https://docs.mulesoft.com/exchange/managing-asset-deletion)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 7 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the MuleSoft Developer II pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams