API is one of the best forms of communication between two applications or systems. Ideally, developers can use many different APIs, but the Restful API is the most used one. It is an interface that acts between an application and the server. First, it collects a JSON request from the application process and then fetches the data from the server. It's important to note that the Rest API is like a different programming interface where you can handle long and complicated tasks with various types of inbuilt calls.
For example, you can use the call termed post when creating a new entity. Similarly, when you want to make any changes in an existing entity, you can use the method known as a patch or put it in the Restful API. It is fast and allows the automation of how these application programming interfaces work and communicate to and from the application and server. Since it is famous for handling many tasks in SDLC, developers must know about using Rest API for testing.
API Testing has slowly taken control of integration and unit testing at the lower levels during the software development lifecycle. However, this new concept has a lot of benefits that should be known to both developers and testers. Keeping that in mind, we have listed some advantages of using Rest API to test any application feature.
The speed and time taken are contradictory if we consider basic GUI testing. The testing process is slow, so it takes time for testers to complete one script. This can cause a sharp decline in overall performance and productivity. As a result, many teams implement API testing to mitigate the risk because of its high speed and reduced time.
As most of the calls are already built in, it becomes easier for testers to create, update, and delete any query or entity from the database and application interfaces. There is no need to manually process the entire workflow from the application's front end and check if it works as expected.
You don't have to set up a special workplace to test API. All you need to download is the Rest API software in your system or use the chrome extension, and the platform will be ready.
The learning curve for Rest API testing is relatively flat compared to regular GUI or automation testing. This is because the JSON formats of all the requests are usually low somewhere which is then further modified with different attribute values according to the test conditions. Furthermore, there is no need to write the entire JSON structure because you can use the same code snippet with changing values.
It's much easier to fix the bugs for developers when testers use Rest API to test any specific application feature. That's because most manual workflow complications are removed when API is implemented.
Even when testing Rest API is beneficial for developers and testers involved in SDLC, you cannot straightaway jump into it. You must understand and adopt the best testing practices to maximize the yield and deliver optimal performance. Considering this, we have shared a brief on leveling your skills with the following Rest API testing practices.
Enjoy using a comprehensive testing tool
You need to download comprehensive breast API software in your system. For example, you can use postman to proceed with the testing scripts since it is a downloadable application and browser extension.
Once done, you can proceed with the tests or log in with an account to save all the information. Ensure you have everything ready before you start sanity testing, especially the environment URL, header files, and URI path.
Run sanity and smoke testing
Before you start testing production scenarios or GUI scripts, you must run a sanity and smoke test on the testing tool. This way, you will be sure that all the methods are working fine and yielding the expected results. For example, let's say you want to fetch a detail about a customer. To do so, you have to use the GET method.
But you will get 400 or 500 error codes if the codes are incorrectly implemented. Similarly, if the codes for any POST method are not implemented, it will show you the error "400 bad requests". That's why running sanity and smoke tests is essential before you begin production testing on Rest API.
Replicate production scenarios
Rest API can be used at multiple testing levels during the entire SDLC. However, you must test production scenarios properly to find bugs or errors that might appear in real-time. Ideally, system integration testing is primarily done to check the workflow using dummy data. Therefore, most scenarios are not even close to the basic work done in the real-time production environment. That's why referring to those testing scenarios will better identify the prospective code bugs.
Track and save the API requests and responses
Whenever you use another testing tool for Rest API, there will be options to save the API requests and responses. Ensure to track and save every JSON request you send and the response the server returns.
This way, you can lock the defects, verify the bug, and even cross-check the errors with the developer's console. In addition, saving the requests will help you use them again without filling up the entire JSON structure from scratch.
Ensure to do negative testing
You must perform negative testing while handling Rest API, as it will ensure the codes have been implemented correctly. For example, assume you are testing a payment gateway for an e-commerce application.
According to the new changes, validation has been established for verifying customer addresses. Therefore, as a part of negative testing, you will check if the validation shows when you give the wrong address. If the results are unsatisfactory, the codes are not implemented properly.
This article introduces you to the basics of Rest API testing and the ideal practices testers can adopt to enhance their performance and maximize the yield. Rest API has proven more helpful than any other form of API testing at both manual and automation levels. It is in fact implemented for integration and performance testing in many projects. Therefore, adopting these practices will significantly help the testers involved with SDLC.
The company's testing strategy is designed to ensure that the software products developed by its clients are of the highest quality. Mindfire's Rest API testing strategy is one of the best in the industry, and it has been developed to help clients to identify and fix issues before they become major problems.
In conclusion, Mindfire Solutions is a highly skilled and reliable partner for companies looking to develop top-notch software products. With a team of experts who are passionate about technology, Mindfire is well-positioned to help its clients to stay ahead of the competition. Mindfire’s Rest API testing strategy is one of the best in the industry, and it is designed to ensure that the software products developed by its clients are of the highest quality.