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What Is An API?
An API is a specification that acts as an interface to software components. Most functional testing is done by split testing the user interface, such as a web or dotnet form.
API testing bypasses user interfaces and communicates with an application directly through its APIs.
API functional testing is a way to test technologies such as JMS HTTP, databases, and Web services. API testing is also known as "headless testing." Headless testing is usually performed by bypassing the user interface and sending requests directly to the application's backend.
This simple example can be referred to as client/server relationships. The client asks for a particular resource.
This request is then sent to a server that can fulfill the request for QA automation test engineer. The server finds the help requested and returns a response to the client.
What Are The Three Types Of API Testing?
Three main types of API testing are available.
- Unit Test Component Testing: Unit Testing is the lowest API level, focusing primarily on the individual components or units of code, usually at the function level. Unit testing aims to test the correctness of a specific method or functionality within an API.
- Integrating Testing: Integration tests involve testing the integration and interactions between components, modules, or systems in an API. The primary objective is to make sure that integrated elements combine as expected.
- End-to-end Testing: Functional Test: End-to-end testing evaluates an entire API system, including all components, databases, and external services. The focus is testing the whole data flow from the client back to the server, simulating realistic scenarios.
What Tools Can We Use To Automate API Testing?
You may wonder which tool you should use to test Rest and Soap Web services since Selenium is only for browser-based tests.
These are some popular testing tools that can be used to test Rest and Soap Web Service. API test automation is great because you can use one script to test API performance, API security, and penetration.
Postman
Postman was originally a Chrome plugin but has recently been released in native versions on Mac OS and Windows. It is a simple way to send a request to your server and receive a reply.
You can set all the headers and cookie values your API expects. Then, you can check the response.
- Useful for both exploratory and automated testing
- Chrome Apps can be installed on Mac OS, Windows, Linux, and Chrome Apps.
- It has a lot of integrations like Swagger and RAML format support.
- Has Documentation, Monitoring, and Run-Test Features
- It doesn't require you to learn a new foreign language.
Amber Race's TestTalks Episode on Testing Video Games using API Automation will show you how Postman can be used to automate video game testing.
Karate DSL
Karate lets you create tests to test the response to any web service, whether SOPA or REST. This is a tool designed for testers and doesn't require any coding knowledge.
Karate is well-known for its ease of reading and maintainability. It is essential to consider this aspect when choosing a testing framework, as test suites will be used for continuous deployment integration while the API is in production.
- It uses a human-like language syntax
- You can run tests and generate dynamic reports just like any other Java project
- Java is not required to write a test
- Even non-programmers can quickly write tests
SoapUI
SoapUI is a functional testing tool that does not require a user to be present. It is available in two flavors.
- Open-source, free version
- Pro Version
You can modify the source code since the open-source version is free.
You can:
- You can easily create custom code with Groovy
- Drag and drop Test Creation
- Can create complex scenarios
- Asynchronous Testing
- SoapUI Mock Service allows you to simulate web services before their implementation.
The SoapUI Pro is more user-friendly and offers additional functionality. This includes a form builder, an XPath assertion wizard, and a SQL query generator.
Sauce Labs
Sauce Labs, formerly API Fortress, is another popular enterprise-level API test option. It combines a range of tools with an easy user interface.
Experts and beginners can quickly learn it. Sauce Labs provides a central cloud-based platform that allows development and testing teams to work together in a single location.
Users can perform functional tests in their browsers, run load tests, and automate REST and SOAP tests. API Fortress's comprehensive reporting dashboard consolidates all results in a single display so you can see your difficulties quickly.
Sauce Labs can also help you monitor your APIs, as it has monitoring capabilities. The program will run endless tests and notify you when there are problems.
The results are also stored on the servers, which won't affect your app's performance.
Pockets
Is budget a concern? Mocklets is an API simulator that allows you to create mock HTTP-based APIs. This software can be used to simulate a future API for testing purposes while the actual API is being developed.
Mocklets allow you to set up an API within a controlled environment. You can run security tests on your application without risk of harm and track the activity of your mock API in real-time.
You can easily change the responses sent by your mock API without reconfiguring it. To ensure that they behave as the real thing, mock APIs conform to Open API specification.
Mocklets offer a good value for money compared to other options. The free version comes with ten mock APIs and 5 test files.
A paid version costs $5 per month and allows up to 125 APIs, test files, and more collaborators. Mocklets Enterprise is a good option for larger organizations interested in using this DevOps methodologies of API testing.
HttpMaster Ex
HttpMaster is a tool for web development and testing that QA automation architecture the testing of services and websites.
It can be used for testing RESTful web applications and API services. HttpMaster allows you to monitor API responses.
- HttpMaster offers global options for customizing your API request
- You can include dynamic data in your request by using parameter capabilities
- Request chaining allows you to use data from previous recommendations to help with your subsequent request
Rest Assured
Rest-Assured, an open-source Java Domain Specific Language (DSL), simplifies the manual testing of REST services.
It makes things easier by eliminating boilerplate code for testing and validating complex responses. It supports XML/JSON requests/responses. It is the most popular tool for testing rest API.
- It eliminates the need for boilerplate code to interact with the rest of the services
- Support BDD given/when/then syntax
- Integrates seamlessly with Java projects
- It is probably the standard way to create a script for a rest API tester programmatically
Rest assured, if you are using Java and need a REST API library for web services that you can integrate into your framework, it is the best choice.
Bas Dijkstra has recently created a C# Version. Johan Haleby shares some tips and tricks to get started with Rest-Assured.
RoboHydra Server
RoboHydra provides a tool to test HTTP-based clients. Instead of connecting the clients under test to a real server, RoboHydra will respond to each request with whatever is needed.
You'll first need to set up a proxy server in RoboHydra to search for API automation testing.
- Test many different types of clients.
- Written in Javascript, runs under Node.
Hippie-Swagger
- Hippie-swagger can be used to test RESTful APIs. It is also an API test tool that uses automatic swagger statements. It will also fail tests if swagger documentation or API behavior needs to be corrected. It also validates all aspects of the swagger files: parameters, request/response bodies, paths, etc.
- Accurate, human-readable assertion messages
Pyresttest
PyRestTest, a Python-based REST-testing and API micro-benchmarking tool, is designed to test APIs.
- No code is required to write test scripts. You can use basic YAML and JSON configuration files.
- Returns exit legacy code on failure.
- Only Mac and Linux-compatible
Apache JMeter
Apache HTTP Server is the most widely used open-source software for web servers today. Your servers may run on this server.
JMeter is a free API testing tool from the Apache Software Foundation.
JMeter is a tool that was initially developed to test API loads. It can now be used for performance testing. JMeter supports several protocols, including SOAP and REST.
This tool is not for beginners. It requires a Java developer with experience to integrate it into your testing environment. JMeter can compete with other paid options because it offers caching, recording requests and responses, distributed testing, and dozens of plugins that extend its capabilities.
Rest Assured
Rest Assured is another open-source and free testing tool for developers. It's a Java-based library that streamlines HTTP calls to REST APIs.
You can save time by constructing custom requests using REST Assured syntax in Java.You will only be able to use this tool if you know how to construct API calls or Java programming languages. Consider this tool if you're looking to avoid a commercial solution.
Read More: What Are APIs And Web Services?
Taurus
Taurus is a tool for API testing best suited to users who use text editors or command lines. Taurus does not require users to be familiar with programming through popular coding languages.
A basic understanding of Taurus YAML is sufficient. Taurus includes powerful visual dashboards to facilitate collaboration between operations team members. The tool is compatible with CI/CD pipelines.
Taurus is entirely free.
Hopscotch
Hopscotch, an open-source API builder, is a great tool. This tool lets users run REST API requests and validate the responses.
Hopscotch is easier to use because of its minimal design. It also reduces time spent developing. It is a tool that stands out for its documentation generator, GraphQL support, and WebSockets.
Hopscotch is free, but you can donate through Patreon and PayPal.
Airborne
Airborne is a Ruby-based open-source API testing framework that was built on RSpec. RSpec is one of the most popular BDD unit testing frameworks in Ruby.
Airborne simplifies the multivariate testing of RESTful APIs with a collection of methods and matches that make HTTP requests and validate responses. The Airborne System:
- Compatible with Rack application instances such as Sinatra, Grape
- Rails APIs are written in Rails.
- Airborne is easy to use: Airborne comes with a DSL (Domain Specific Language) that's simple and readable, making it easier for testers and developers to create API tests.
- JSON support. Airborne was designed with JSON as a priority, making it simple to parse and validate JSON response bodies.
- Airborne is built upon RSpec. This allows you to take advantage of the RSpec matches, as well as its BDD-style syntax.
- Airborne provides a set of custom matches that validate API responses. For example, they can check for the presence of specific key metrics or verify the type of values within JSON objects.
- Airborne is extensible: you can extend Airborne easily by adding custom matches or existing RSpec plugins.
Mockbin
Mockbin, an open-source software, allows you to create and deploy mock APIs. It is helpful for API testing when you want to simulate API responses or test specific scenarios without hitting the API endpoints.
- Mock Custom Endpoints
- Customize HTTP Methods
- Log and inspect all incoming calls made to your custom endpoints.
Citrus Framework
Citrus Framework is an excellent open-source framework. Citrus is an open-source framework that allows you to do automated QA testing for any data format or messaging protocol.
It also has excellent results reports.
- Work with REST/SOAP, HTTP, JMS, and TCP/IP
- Create tests with Java or XML.
- Mature β has been around for a long time.
ZeroCode
ZeroCode is described on GitHub by the community as an accessible, open-source, microservices API testing and automation framework.
It uses JUnit core runners to test HTTP REST and SOAP for HTTP, Security, Database, and Kafka. Zero Code Open Source allows you to easily create, modify, orchestrate, and maintain automated test cases.
ZeroCode has many benefits:
- ZeroCode is built using JUnit core runners.
- You can use any JSON editor or IDE to create the tests.
- It is straightforward to create tests using Postman REST Client.
- BDD can be done without the syntax overhead
- Performance testing is easy - generating load/stress can be done quickly, and previous tests can be reused.
- Efficient Reports: You can perform a fuzzy search, filter any text, and track the author.
Katalon Studio
Katalon Studio, an all-in-one test automation solution, supports API, web, and mobile testing. It is suitable for experienced and novice testers, as it offers many features.
Katalon Studio is a tool that can test APIs and ensure their functionality, reliability, and performance.
Katalon Studio offers the following benefits:
- Although it's not free, the software is open-source.
- This is a complete framework and package. It's easy to install.
- The learning curve for small learners
- You can test REST APIs and web services with this tool.
JMeter
JMeter is a popular tool for API load testing. JMeter has many benefits.
- API performance testing can be performed using the same API test script.
- JMeter is a time-tested tool.
- Easy integration into CI/CD environments
ΡΡΠΊΡ
Tavern is a Python library with a command-line interface, pytest plugin, and API reliability Testing Tools. It allows for automated API testing.
It is designed to test RESTful APIs. It makes API testing simple, concise, and flexible by using the robust pytest framework. Tavern lets you create automated API tests in YAML, which makes them easier to read and maintain.
Tavern, built upon pytest and its advanced features, allows you to improve your API testing experience.
- Simple, concise, and flexible YAML syntax
- It is elementary to start.
- High-customizable for complex tests
- Test RESTful APIs and MQTT-based APIs
Chakram
Chakram is a REST Javascript testing framework with a BDD style of testing and fully exploiting promises. You can use it to test anything.
- HTTP Assertions
- Chakram exploits all javascript promises
- BDD Formatting and Hooks
- The extensible
RestBird
RestBird includes Rest API Tools such as autotesting, recording, mock servers, and playback. It was mentioned in a comment left on this post.
It looks promising. RestBird has the following benefits:
- Simple to use and Debug
- RestAPIi integration with JIRA Jenkins marketing Team City Bugzilla Slack
- Validation of responses through Python/Golang scripts
Assertible
Assertible is a relatively new player in the API testing space. However, it has already proven to be a powerful contender.
You can use Assertible for building, storing, and automating your REST API and HTTP service tests. All its technologies focus on making your API reliable and high-performing.
This tool pays particular attention to the most recent testing. Assertible, for example, can be configured to run automatic tests when you release a new API version and flag any problems.
This will save time and effort in the build and test process. Assertible will automatically update your tests to reflect changes in your API. You don't have to update your tests after quick deployment manually.
Assertible has impressive integrations with applications such as GitHub to store your assets and Slack to receive notifications about performance.
Assertible has four pricing plans. The free plan is the first and has strict limitations on how many services you can test. There are also plans of $25, $50, and $100 per month, allowing more percentage of user experiences and tests.
Tricentis Tosca
Tricentis is a software company that develops enterprise software for testing, analytics, and software development strategy.
Tricentis Tosca was built to work within the Agile software development framework. It allows testing throughout your entire development environment cycle with an intuitive interface that allows anyone to parallel test execution of your API.
Tricentis offers a solution tailored to your API, regardless of its build or mobile environment. This tool supports functional testing, load testing, security testing, and exploratory testing via SOAP and REST protocols.
Tricentis Tosca places a high priority on the AI-based automation of user interface tests. The software uses machine learning to create unlimited test cases from user interface mockups you submit.
This reduces the number of manual tests required.
Playwright API Testing
Playwright can be used to test APIs, but it is designed primarily for testing web applications end-to-end: Playwright, a Node.
Js-based library which are automation QA tester interactions, which makes it ideal for testing web apps in multiple browsers, including Chromium Firefox and WebKit. It can be used with other libraries for API testing. Playwright and the "Axios library" can be used to perform API requests.
Playwright is a versatile library that can be combined with many other libraries and frameworks to perform more complex API testing.
Playwright can be used with other libraries and frameworks for more complex API testing.
Conclusion
A functional API is a good indicator of the competence of your development team. It's similar to how a professional website reflects professionalism for an online brand.
Your business and strategy will be impacted by a good API load testing tool. By allowing third-party apps to integrate with your service quickly, you'll expand your reach and grow your user base.
This is only possible with testing strategy, which is challenging with the proper tools.
