The What, How, & Why Of API Testing

The What, How, & Why Of API Testing

What’s API Testing?

Testing is a crucial phase in any product’s development. This practice has helped to produce better solutions. Each product may require a different type or method of testing. API testing involves the testing of the Application Programming Interface. It is responsible for regulating requirements for multiple software functions. To simplify, API is a collection of programming commands and tools programmers can use to create code at multiple levels. The API Tester examines these APIs and improves them. Tests are done on functions such as performance, security, reliability, and others. Most other testing involves looking at the User Interface. API testing, however, is performed at a higher level. The product’s design is not relevant and the core business logic is examined and improved.

The Advantages Of API Testing

The most important part of any development is testing. It ensures that the end-user receives the highest quality product. Here are the benefits of API testing:

  • There are many tests that have been planned and performed, but this is the final step in testing the core of the software.
  • API testing is different from other types of testing. Minor errors can be fixed before they become major problems.
  • API testing is used to test functions end-to-end, while Unit testing tests only specific modules. API testing has a greater scope.
  • Developers can monitor the application in different scenarios to help them understand and fix any problems.
  • Browser compatibility is achieved by testing multiple scenarios with different web browsers.

What Is An API Testing Method?

Let’s now look at how API testing works. API testing should be done after the builds have been completed. It is important that you fully understand the API you are testing. The parameters are set up and the databases and servers are prepared for testing. As a way to build a strong argument through API Testings, multiple questions are asked and answered. Questions like Target Consumer for API, API’s normal operation, potential problems, what will determine the outcome, etc.

API includes a variety of tests. Testing these aspects via an API Tester will ensure that the API works properly. API testing covers most of the software components. These tests include Functionality, Reliability and Load, Security, Proficiency, and others. Negative Testing is one of the most fascinating tests. It is used to predict what could go wrong and set up a test. This ensures that the functionality of the entire software will not be affected by the results.

Environment: Although it doesn’t involve any GUI, setting up an environment for testing is not difficult. All you have to do is use parameters, hit the database, and invoke APIs.

Test Cases: There are multiple test cases that can be written. These include what is the return value, what happens if there is no reply or a null response, and what happens if an API is triggered, whether it is relevant or not.

Output: Different test cases will produce different outputs. It is important that you compare the actual output and the expected output.

Next, security and performance issues can be detected during testing. These results can be used to improve the API and make it easier for future builds.

Why Is API Testing Important?

API automation is essential for ensuring that the final product is the best possible version. This ensures that the API implemented functions correctly in many factors such as security, performance, and other factors. It is crucial to ensure that every software has a single core API. API testing is essential because APIs are now a key part of any application. They serve the business logic. API Testing is about testing the API’s ability to work under pressure. Load Testing, also known as performance testing, is similar to load testing. Here you will have multiple test scripts, test cases, and multiple operations performed hitting the APIs. Then, you’ll receive a response. Each API call and response are recorded. Performance is then evaluated.

The Bottom Line

The purpose of API automation testing is for the application to function as it was intended. It is a guarantee that every function works properly. It certifies that the product is capable of handling security issues and compatible across platforms.