Test all APIs
Now that you have, a better understanding of what an API is, and why they are so important for modern, interconnected, global services and applications, it is time to learn why API testing is so important. API testing ensures code that is more reliable. Historically, however, testing was done at the GUI level. Developers would complete their work and then hand it over to the QA engineer. Because engineers were limited in time, they would only be able to test the code at its highest level, the GUI. This would include both front-end as well back-end development.
This was fine for manual testing, but it is not appropriate for continuous and agile testing. GUI testing is too fragile, GUI automated scripts can break easily and take longer to complete. Teams can’t wait to update the entire system and have the GUI ready before the test. Agile testing requires that testing be done at the API level. Even developers can do it. APIs can even be tested when the GUI is not yet available. API Tester can be performed even before the application is developed.
API Tester for Testing
This type of testing involves the testing of the Application Programming Interface. It is responsible for regulating requirements for multiple software functions. We don’t ask for user input, but instead, make a series of calls to the API and wait for the response. To simplify, API is a collection of programming commands and tools programmers can use to create code at multiple levels. We use API tester created by developers every time we search for a product on Amazon. API testing is the process of examining these API and improving them. Tests are done for functions such as Performance, Security, Reliability, and so on.
It is important to test all APIs in the software/application. Software testers have a lot of responsibility. The perfect API tester is the foundation of a perfect application. The API can be tested to resolve any issues that may arise in the future. Many software programs can be used for API tests. One such program is.
Roles and Responsibilities
- You should be able to test APIs using REST, SOAP, and Microservices.
- Should be able to use all web methods such as GET, DELETE, POST, and so on
- Validate the response. Response time and error code
- Must be able to use OAuth and/or OAuth2 authentication methods
- Security and load testing of web services
- Able to read and comprehend the API documentation
- Ability to generate a large number of scenarios and test cases
- SQL queries should be able to validate API and DB elements
You can become a master of a tool you choose. SOAP UI, Postman, and other automation tools are not available. Rest Assured and Rest Sharp are open-source libraries for API testing.
Unit Testing and API Testing
Some testers mistakenly consider API Testing and unit tests to be the same thing. However, they are actually two different things. Unit testing is performed by either the Test Engineers or the Developers. It is performed class-by-class or at the single component level. The development team oversees unit testing activities and makes any necessary adjustments. It is important to know whether each module or unit works well in isolation. To ensure robust module design, dependencies should be minimal. API testing, on the other hand, is blackbox testing that focuses only on the final output of the system being tested. The API tests are performed only after the build has been completed. They portray the system as a whole, as the interface with that the end user will interact. API testing is primarily about testing the architecture’s business logic. The QA team is responsible for API testing. They must run any API that’s built to serve a specific purpose.
API Testing also tests the unit within a system. Unit testing, on the other hand, tests the unit in isolation from the rest. Therefore API testing can also be called end-to-end testing. API testing tests the entire software, but the modules that make it are also tested. Unit testing, however, focuses on the functionality of a module and isolates its functioning from all the other modules/software.
Encounter Errors with Tools
We often encounter errors when testing API through tools. These errors can be related to APIs, but they can also relate to server errors. Software testers are therefore more important than they seem. Software is delivered and built in stages. The same applies to testing it. The software is still in the development phase. This means that tests and cases must be built. This allows the developers to identify any issues with servers or networks. The same applies to any stage of software, such as the production stage. Your coverage area should be as large as possible. The coverage should include every possible failure to ensure that software is of high quality and the feedback team receives minimal tickets.