Before we get into the depth of the best API automation testing practices, let us start with – what API automation actually is. An API or Application Programming Interface can be defined as a collection or set of functions as well as procedures known as API calls, that are executable by various software applications. Now, coming to API automation testing, it is the mechanism in which a test support application that links API and systematically exercises the functionality thereof, is created for simulating the end user application of the API.
Now, let us discuss the best tried as well as tested practices of API automation testing. The practice generally should involve the following steps in a chronological manner.
Planning the test
Before starting off with the testing as well as writing test codes, one should at first spend a certain amount of time, chalking out strategies about the ways that need to be adapted during testing and more importantly, about the things that needs to be evaluated.
Now, depending upon the complexity of the tests, the process of planning should vary. A thorough design documentation needs to be done as this will make the process of testing much easier along with less time consuming.
Organizing the entire thing
This is the second step of the assessment. You need to organize the evaluation in a proper way so much so that it will have a positive impact on the productivity, efficacy, as well as maintenance of the tests. It helps in the betterment of the software performance. For example, all the tests that are to be conducted for a particular API should be under a single file. Then again, the file in question should be named after the API that is subjected to evaluation. What happens because of this is that it makes easier for the other users to locate all the test cases, and spend the up-front expenditure for ensuring that the foundation is firm as well as clean. While some procedures need to be tested in pairs and groups, there are certain procedures that need to be tested in singles.
Each and every case needs to be self-contained as well as isolated from the dependencies as much as possible, It helps the developers when it comes to copying individual cases into a definite stand-alone application or in the individual unit-test framework of a user.
Setting the Priorities
As and when the test cases are developed, against the popular practice of going straight away to an invalid test, it is important to set priorities. It makes easier for the testers to put more emphasis on the mainline cases at first, before opting for any other issue.
In fact, one should ascertain the test cases that need to be conducted at first. This purely depends upon the instinct of the tester. It is the tester who will have to ascertain which cases that will have to be tested first. Prioritizing the tests will only make the process simpler.
Development
Depending upon the mode of evaluation, it might turn out beneficial for the tester to store the state information in variables that can easily be accessed. If the test breaks when stressed, it is imperative that a proper investigation is done on the machine along with all the variables involved in the tests. During development, it is better to keep all the previous state information handy, particularly if the test case in question deals mainly with arbitrary data.
Configuration
Another very common as well as useful practice of API testing is changing the run-time behavior. As the testing starts, logging out of the system along with the assessment parameters is an imperative. The exact configuration as well parameters can be recreated from a log file. If each and every evaluation case performs its own configuration setup and initialization, it is imperative to evaluate the real life scenarios.
Validation
Validation of the test's behavior is another important practice, though at times, testers tend to ignore it and this leads to false positives and negatives or presence of non-actionable bugs even after testing is completed. When evaluating the test cases, one should assume that it will fail initially and then the real challenge is to prove that it works or does not work in a proper way. If you are planning to hire service of automation testing companies, you must evaluate them to see if they are sufficiently agile or not!
We provide test automation services. If you would like to get your application tested by our certified automation testers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
Planning the test
Before starting off with the testing as well as writing test codes, one should at first spend a certain amount of time, chalking out strategies about the ways that need to be adapted during testing and more importantly, about the things that needs to be evaluated.
Now, depending upon the complexity of the tests, the process of planning should vary. A thorough design documentation needs to be done as this will make the process of testing much easier along with less time consuming.
Organizing the entire thing
This is the second step of the assessment. You need to organize the evaluation in a proper way so much so that it will have a positive impact on the productivity, efficacy, as well as maintenance of the tests. It helps in the betterment of the software performance. For example, all the tests that are to be conducted for a particular API should be under a single file. Then again, the file in question should be named after the API that is subjected to evaluation. What happens because of this is that it makes easier for the other users to locate all the test cases, and spend the up-front expenditure for ensuring that the foundation is firm as well as clean. While some procedures need to be tested in pairs and groups, there are certain procedures that need to be tested in singles.
Each and every case needs to be self-contained as well as isolated from the dependencies as much as possible, It helps the developers when it comes to copying individual cases into a definite stand-alone application or in the individual unit-test framework of a user.
Setting the Priorities
As and when the test cases are developed, against the popular practice of going straight away to an invalid test, it is important to set priorities. It makes easier for the testers to put more emphasis on the mainline cases at first, before opting for any other issue.
In fact, one should ascertain the test cases that need to be conducted at first. This purely depends upon the instinct of the tester. It is the tester who will have to ascertain which cases that will have to be tested first. Prioritizing the tests will only make the process simpler.
Development
Depending upon the mode of evaluation, it might turn out beneficial for the tester to store the state information in variables that can easily be accessed. If the test breaks when stressed, it is imperative that a proper investigation is done on the machine along with all the variables involved in the tests. During development, it is better to keep all the previous state information handy, particularly if the test case in question deals mainly with arbitrary data.
Configuration
Another very common as well as useful practice of API testing is changing the run-time behavior. As the testing starts, logging out of the system along with the assessment parameters is an imperative. The exact configuration as well parameters can be recreated from a log file. If each and every evaluation case performs its own configuration setup and initialization, it is imperative to evaluate the real life scenarios.
Validation
Validation of the test's behavior is another important practice, though at times, testers tend to ignore it and this leads to false positives and negatives or presence of non-actionable bugs even after testing is completed. When evaluating the test cases, one should assume that it will fail initially and then the real challenge is to prove that it works or does not work in a proper way. If you are planning to hire service of automation testing companies, you must evaluate them to see if they are sufficiently agile or not!
We provide test automation services. If you would like to get your application tested by our certified automation testers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.
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