Swagger, now known as the OpenAPI Initiative, is a framework that standardizes the design, building, and documenting of RESTful APIs, similar to how time zones standardized American railroad schedules in the 1800s. It provides a common language for API description, facilitating communication and integration among developers, product managers, and clients by making APIs more accessible and comprehensible. Swagger's tools, such as the Swagger Editor and Swagger UI, support the creation of error-free, interactive, and easily adjustable documentation. The transition to the OpenAPI Specification under the Linux Foundation has further enhanced API development through improved standardization and tool interoperability, allowing APIs to be more consumable and fostering better developer experiences. This initiative is backed by major companies like Google, Microsoft, and PayPal, aiming to promote a vendor-neutral description format that has transformed the API landscape by ensuring cohesive development processes from design to deployment.