API Testing

API Testing Methodology

In most API Testing processes, testing experts pass an API system request to generate an output parameter or value, - rather than running a manual input. It is comparatively rapid in terms of generating response than other testing processes, and there is a minimal risk of error in API testing.

Kill bugs before Impact

In API testing, developers are encouraged to test early on during the development life cycle. It enables killing at least 5% of the imminent bugs before they could hamper the application stability. QA testers pursue this by sending a request and observing what value is generated at the server and displayed at the UI layer. All subsequent unsuccessful requests help detect flaws from the perspective of API testing.

API Testing: The Logic Layer

As API testing essentially concerns the business logic layer, testing would effectively refine the application security and data involved. As requests to one or more endpoints execute, it compares the responses with the outcomes for testing each aspect of the API – in terms of performance, reliability, and flexibility. In this context, it analyzes the responses with the expected results. Experts answer these questions before finalizing API testing:

• 1. What is the mechanism to detect and report unsuccessful requests?
• 2. What response codes are set aside for unsuccessful requests?
• 3. Which endpoints must undergo API testing?
• 4. What are critical items in the relevant API management cycle?

API Testing Types

As with automated testing, API Testing encompasses certain types of testing processes and modes:

Functional Testing: It tests APIs on overall functionality and validates the software application against those functionalities. Towards this, a tester passes relevant parameters to, say, a JSON payload.

Load Testing: This determines how consistently the APIs perform even when a certain load of users logged in to the software application, thereby sending requests simultaneously, by using reliable and precise data.

Security Testing: It involves effective testing to secure APIs from vulnerabilities or internal users - in addition to malicious code from attackers or outsider threats.

API Testing: Strategic Benefits

In line with dynamic business-critical requirements associated with testing software applications, API testing offers some of the most important competitive gains.

• Independent of User Interface:

  With API testing, QA testers can examine system components' behavior without worrying over access to the associated UI or interface.

• Effective GUI integration:

  If you plan to perform highly-integrated functional GUI tests, initiate with API testing as a precursor. An API test automation is also effective in saving costs and improving test timelines.

• Test across Core Languages:

  When running an automated testing service, QA experts can leverage any chosen core language for data exchange, whether using JSON or XML – with complete convertibility.