What Are The Different Types Of API Testing?
When it comes to most industries, building a product in its entirety is not the last step of the process. A lot goes into polishing it to ensure enhanced user experiences and the essential success of the product. There are a lot of aspects that bring a masterpiece into being. In the case of the software industry, one of the most important contributors is the different types of API testing.
What Is API Testing?
The developers and programmers who have been a part of the industry long enough are well-aware of the importance of API testing. When two different software is involved, enabling communication between them is of utmost importance. This is where a computing interface called API (Application Programming Interface) comes to the rescue.
API is tagged as the backbone of a programming language that promotes seamless communication. To retain this functionality, API Testing plays a prominent role. It helps monitor the performance, security, and consistency of the programming interface. API testing also helps determine whether the interface is meeting the expectations because if one interface fails then the entire service goes for a toss.
To put it simply, API testing is a process that best reveals bugs or inconsistencies within a program or an application. When done consistently, it can help produce a product that is unlikely to fail when made accessible to the public, thereby saving costs on last-minute or post-production modifications.
How To Do API Testing?
API testing can be done in two ways – manual and automatic. Both these methods come with their own benefits and drawbacks. With automated testing, developers are required to pick the right API testing tool. Manual testing, on the other hand, involves writing unique test codes. In a world that demands quicker results, developers are now more inclined towards automated testing; especially in the case of DevOps and agile development. To further accelerate the testing processes, here are some of the best practices for API testing:
- Select the ideal API testing tool that best suits your project requirements.
- Make sure to group test cases by test category.
- Simulate the final environments for API testing.
- Create test cases for all possible API input combinations.
- Give due importance to negative and security testing.
- Monitor and accurately record all API responses.
- Always test for the typical or expected results and perform call sequencing..
- Limit the tests from as many variables as possible by keeping it as isolated as possible.
- Leverage the power of automation wherever possible.
- Use API function calls to facilitate quick yet effective testing.
When it comes to effective API testing in software testing, it is not just important to know how to test, but also the API testing types that are at your disposal. Let’s explore some of the primary types-
6 Different Types Of API Testing
1. Functional Testing:
The very first API testing type on the list falls under the black-box testing category. This type of testing bases its test cases on the specifications of the software component under test; meaning that there is a test of specific functions within the codebase that stand for specific scenarios. These functions are designed for the sole purpose of monitoring whether the API is behaving as it is expected to.
They also help ensure that the deviations, if any, are dealt with in a timely and effective manner. In its truest sense, functional testing is a quality assurance process where functions are tested by feeding them input and examining the output.
2. UI Testing:
As the name clearly suggests, UI testing is a specific process of ensuring the smooth functioning of the user interface. Often used as an alternative for functional testing, UI testing has more to do with the user interface associated with the API rather than the API in terms of the codebase. The main objective of this test is to provide developers with a quick analysis of the usability, efficiency, and functionality of both the front-end and the back-end.
Despite the fact that it makes for a viable alternative for functional testing, it is highly recommended that UI testing should be used only for testing functions related to the user interface, and should be treated as a subset during functional testing.
3. Runtime & Error Detection:
Most testing types like Functional testing and Validation testing involve analyzing the API behavior in the given environments or scenarios. On the other hand, runtime and error detection testing only concern itself with monitoring the actual running of the API. It enables the developers to identify the potential defects that are detected during execution.
When implemented with utmost precision, the test can provide accurate results in terms of bug detection. These tests are your best bet when it comes to exposing critical bugs by focusing on specific aspects like monitoring, error detection, execution errors, and any possible leaks.
4. Load Testing:
This non-functional testing helps determine the performance of a software application or product. This test is carried out at the end of the completion of the codebase that brought the product into being. The software application is released in real-time environments where a number of users can test it at the same time.
To ensure enhanced effectiveness, load testing simulates different scenarios for testing the application and upgrading it to its highest potential. These tests help the developer understand the operating capability of the application, study the sustainability of the application when multiple users are using it, and determine the application’s capacity to scale in order to accommodate more users.
5. Security Testing:
One of the most critical testing types, Security Testing brings the weak links, loopholes, threats, and possible risks in a software application to the developers’ attention. The tests also help prevent harmful attacks from external threats. If not identified and rectified in time, these threats can lead to the leak of valuable information, revenue, and the very reputation of the organization.
When done correctly, security testing can combat the threats so that the system functions smoothly without external interference. After the detection of these vulnerabilities, developers can fix them and strengthen the application via coding.
6. Validation Testing:
Validation testing is one of the last processes that are carried out during the test cycle of a software application. It is conducted after verification of the API’s constituent parts and functions, at the end of the development process.
When it comes to effective validation testing, here are a few things developers must consider – has the product been built in accordance with the project specifications? Is the API an accurate and efficient method of doing what is required? Can any modifications be made to the existing codebase in order to optimize the performance of the software product? This set of basic questions is quite important to the successful execution of any and every application.
Enroll With Cyber Success For API Testing Certification In Pune
With APIs capable of transforming businesses; firms today are looking for expertise. The demand for talented individuals equipped with all the right skill-sets is on the rise. To help aspirants grab the right opportunities and make a name for themselves in the industry, Cyber Success has designed an industry-oriented API Testing course. Students get hands-on experience with SOAP web services, POSTMAN tools, types of tests, and more.
With a blend of theory and practical knowledge, our trainers introduce students to the industry challenges and the scope of API Testing. What’s more? Students get access to – a curriculum designed by industry experts, group discussions, practical learning, opportunities to work on live corporate projects, excellent mentoring by industry stalwarts, and 100% placement assistance. To get started, contact us today at (+91) 9168665643, (+91) 9168665644, or drop an email at hello@cybersuccess.biz
