Companies big or small always make sure to do API testing before proceeding with modifications. Thus, both production and staging environments must verify the frameworks according to the specifications. Let’s know about API Testing and many more benefits that you must know.
What is API Testing?
First of all, API stands for Application Programming Interface. This testing process comprises certain procedures and methods which developers use to establish strong communication between every application. However, once the API is complete, it becomes important to optimize the interface to provide scalable, reliable, and most importantly secure connectivity for every platform.
API testing is essential to identify bugs and crucial flaws in the initial stages. In this process, the API receives the requests and sends the feedback or responses through the internet such as SMTP and HTTP.
Benefits of API Testing
These are some advantages of API testing that you get during the process of software development.
#1- Low Cost
API tests can be performed before the GUI testing which empowers the testers to identify defects in the beginning. Identifying the problems, in the beginning, reduces the chance of application changes. Before the problems reach the production team, QA testers identify and remove them. Ultimately, the costs come down drastically.
#2- Time Efficiency
The Automated API tests deliver faster and more effective results that fuel the development workflows. It improves the feedback loop through which you can determine the issues much faster. Apart from that, API tests take less time than UI Tests. Thus, you can use the saved time by reviewing and improving the overall performance by automation testing.
#3- Better Coverage
The API testing process analyzes every layer to provide the best experience. It checks that databases communicate with each other without any hindrance. Thus, all the processes and components are thoroughly checked at the same time. This factor improves the overall software quality to meet user expectations.
#4- Improved Stability
GUI can easily change to meet the requirements according to the users and stakeholders. But, it is not the same with the API interfaces as it is perfectly stable. The reason behind this is that the API consists of detailed information. So, any occurring changes will appear for the QAs which help them to adjust everything seamlessly.
#5- Lower Maintenance
As said above, API layers are significantly stable with rare changes. Any new release or merge doesn’t affect the API performance. Therefore, this indicates that API testing requires much less maintenance.
#6- Access Without the Presence of UI
One of the main advantages of AP Testing is accessing the application without the need for any user interface. A tester can easily run the API Tests without experiencing the software performance. The QA engineers get detailed information about the errors and defects which is helpful to resolve everything faster.
#7- Wide Language Preference
JSON and XML formats are used for data exchange for API testing. Thus, you don’t have to worry about knowing a particular language. It easily supports a wide variety of languages such as Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, etc. Therefore, you can choose any specific language to work for API testing.
Features of API Testing Tools
These are some amazing features of API testing.
- AssertJ support helps create better assertions.
- API testing also supports SOAP requests, REST as well as SSL certifications.
- Enables the test import from WSDL, Postman, WADL, and Swagger (2.0 and 3.0).
- A built-in platform that helps in creating centralized activities and reports across a wide range of tool stacks.
- API tools comprise CD/CI integrations such as DevOps, Jenkins, CircleCI, Azure, etc.
- Significantly, API tools increase the test cycles for the QA team to complete in a specific time.
- Also, reduce the time through automated processes for API testing.
Different Types of API Testing Techniques
These are the following API testing techniques that QAs and developers take care of.
- Load Testing– This testing measures how the API system controls a massive amount of requests in less time.
- Penetration Testing– This process involves the users having less knowledge of attacking the API. It helps the testers to analyze the threats from a third-party perspective.
- Fuzz Testing– This particular API test sends random requests in massive numbers. It is done to interpret how the API responds to crashes, errors, etc. to protect the software from potential threats.
- Security Testing– Furthermore, the security test determines how the API doesn’t react to cyber security attacks.
- Error Detection and Runtime Testing– In this type, the API test is constructed to assess significant execution errors, error detection, resource leaks, monitoring, etc.
- Validation Testing– However, validation testing is performed in the later stages. It is done to verify the efficiency and behavior of the API.
Also read:- write for us tech
Also read:- Technology write for us
Also read:- write for us technology blogs
How to Do API Testing?
These are the following steps that are essential to follow the API testing process.
- Reviewing the specifications of API– Before conducting any tests, it is essential to understand the purpose and how API works. Then, it becomes easier to strategize the plan to get the expected results.
- Assessing requirements of API testing– The next step is to evaluate the requirements for API testing. For this, you must identify the target consumer, functions, features, and application workflow.
- Determining the input parameters– The defined parameters are essential to judge if API performs the necessary functions.
- Create negative and positive tests– These two types of tests are important if the API functions are working according to the specifications.
- Select the tool for API Testing– Selecting the automated tools helps in smoothening and fastening the API process. However, it is vital to choose the right set of tools and frameworks for the task.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can now understand everything about API testing. The above benefits can help you solve the doubts regarding API testing as well.
Author bio:
Hello, I am a professional SEO Expert & Write for us Technology blog and submit a guest posts on different platforms- we provides a good opportunity for content writers to submit guest posts on our website. We frequently highlight and tend to showcase guests.
