Opting the latest technology to stand out from the competition is not enough. Businesses need to understand the significance of APIs. Because these APIs are simpler and shorter code that helps one application to communicate with another. However, the shorter code doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require expertise. In fact, the smooth communication between the two applications relies on the bug-free code. In simple words, to ensure error-free communication, an API should be developed and tested with the finest API testing tool.
However, the scenario is a bit different as a few developers still prefer manual API testing, which neither ensures productivity nor stability.Thus, in this article, we are going to discuss a revolutionary API testing tool that seems a one-stop solution for all your needs.
So, let’s get started.
But, if you’re a beginner or don’t know much about API, then understand….
What Is API?
According to the standard definition “ In computer programming, an application programming interface (API) is a set of subroutine definitions, protocols, and tools for building application software. In general terms, it is a set of clearly defined methods of communication between various software components”
In simple words, an API acts as a mediator between two applications so they can communicate. For instance, you’ve seen that even without visiting the original platform’s site, we can book a movie ticket on the various aggregators’ platforms. We can choose a preferred seat, time slot, and the nearest theatre. And the best part is we can also make the payment using the same platform. It is possible because of the API, as it gives users access to use the software with certain limitations. Applications that give logging access via Facebook, Google, or any sort of third-party application, is also done through API.
Here is a list of some APIs
RapidAPI: It’s the world’s largest API marketplace with 1 million users and having 10K+ APIs. All the APIs can be tested and managed from its dashboard.
Paw: It’s a powerful API tool for mac users. Using this, they can build HTTP requests, check the server's response, and generate code.
SoapUI: It’s a comprehensive testing tool that comes with advanced features. This API tool is considered ideal for testing complicated test scenarios.
REST-assured: It’s the best framework to test REST services in Java, as its open-source platform with Java Domain-specific language makes it easy for REST services.
Katalon Studio: If offers a wide range of solutions to the developers. Be it creating and executing API/Web services/UI functional, or mobile testing, you can rely on this for multiple reasons.
JMeter: Primarily it was introduced for load testing but later on it turned out to be an incredible tool for functional API testing.
Karate DSL: it’s an open-source framework for API testing based on cucumber library. It allows you to do an API-based test in a simple way.
Apigee: It’s a cross-cloud API testing tool that helps create the API. Apart from that, you can also measure the performance of the API.
Assertible: It is known for detecting problems in API at the early stages. The main aim of the tool is to provide automation and reliability.
Tricentis Tosca: If a developer is looking for a continuous platform for Agile and DevOps, then this platform has a lot to offer. It supports various protocols like SOAP, Rabbit MQ, HTTP(s) JMS, REST, IBM, MQ, and TIBCO EMS, among others.
Rest Console: This tool helps in detecting bugs, building APIs, and testing RESTful APIs. However, it’s not easy to use and requires extensive expertise.
Now that we understand concept of API and the various tools associated with it, we can move on to answering:
What Is Postman?
Postman is a popular API development platform. By using the Postman API tool you can design, build, share, test, and document APIs. The tool is simple to use, and one can easily send HTTP/s service requests to a server and get the response. This action ensures that the service is running smoothly. Earlier it was available as a Chrome browser plugin but as soon as it gained popularity, it offered different versions for other operating systems.
Features of Postman
User-Friendly Interface: A friendly user interface plays a big role when it comes to using a tool. For instance, to send a simple request you need to enter details in the headers, select the HTTP, and press the send button. If you haven’t written scripts before, Postman helps you with code snippets that consist of validations for response code, response time, etc.
Automation: The best part of the Postman API testing tool is that you can easily set up automated tests. If you use Javascript in Postman it provides various other features like write test suites, and build request that helps you compile single automated test into a sequence.
Cost-Effective: The tool is available in two versions: free and paid. However, the paid version offers high-end features that are not available in the free version, yet the free version is powerful and effective. So, if a developer is just starting out, he or she can rely on the free version as well.
Benefits of Postman
Seamless Test Suites Creation: Postman lets you integrate tests with the smooth functioning of the API. All the tests are organized and tested in a specific order. When an HTTP request is made to verify the integrity of the code, the received data can be manipulated in different ways. For example, test assertions are written in javascript that helps to create local variables or loops to repeatedly run a test.
Helps You Store Information in Different Environments: Running a test in a local environment than running it in a test server is different. As long as you run a test in a local environment, it won’t create any problem but as you test it in a different environment, it may ruin the experience. However, Postman solves that problem by allowing you to automatically insert the correct environment from a list of several environments into your test. The correct environment could be a base URL, query parameters, request headers, or the body data of an HTTP post.
Data Storing for Future Tests: There is no need to perform the tedious process every time you run a test. Postman stores data from the previous tests that can be used exactly in the upcoming tests. For example, if you’ve stored the response of the previous request, you can use it any way you want for the subsequent API calls.
Works Well With the Command-Line Interface: Sometimes developers face difficulties to run the test on those systems which do not have Graphic User Interface (GUI). However, Postman’s command-line interface - Newman - solves this problem. Newman eases the testing process with the command line.
Effortless Movement of Tests and Environments to Code Repositories: Postman ensures ease of sharing and moving tests into different environments by converting them into either a “test” or “environment configuration” file. By exporting a testing collection or traditional file sharing methods, you can move a test from one environment to another. It also gives you access to the repository tools like Git or SVN to maintain version control or roll back whenever it is required.
Testing on the Go: As you write the code, you can instantly check for the bugs and typos with the help of Postman. To write a test you need to save it in the collection. Means, when you make a request to the URL, you can see the result. Postman also incorporates JSON data to read code in an easier way.
How to Use the Postman API Testing Tool
Before using the postman tool, you must know those operating systems that support postman. If you visit the official website, you will find that the Postman is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac. Once you download and install it on your system, you’re ready to use it.
Creating a New Request in the Postman:
On the left side of the header click on the ‘New’ option.
Then click on ‘REQUEST’.
Enter a request name.
Enter a collection name, click on ‘+Create Collection’ and click on ‘Save’.
Inside ‘My collection’ in the collection folder, click on ‘My API’.
In the address bar, enter the website name/ request and press ‘Send’. You can also save it for future collection.
GET Request in Postman
GET request is used to fetch the information from the server. The information available in the URL is known as the GET request.
RESPONSE in Postman
Once you send the request to the server, you can see the response from the server in the section given below in the Postman tool.
POST Request using Postman
Using a POST request, a data in the form of a request is sent to the server. When this data is returned, the API validates that the user has been created. The returned response can be the ID or it can be a success message.
Conclusion
No doubt that Postman is the powerful API testing tool. Manual API testing requires lots of time while Postman allows teams to test APIs with automation. In simple words, if a tester or developer uses this tool, it can increase the productivity of the whole team. However, there are other API testing tools also available yet there is no match between Postman and the rest of the API testing tools.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
