Introduction
It is impossible for manual testing to keep up in a domain where every second matters. In such cases, the speed and accuracy that today’s technically advanced society requires comes with automation testing. You can release more quickly if you can test more quickly, and automation helps with that. Test automation is used by 72% of prosperous companies to accelerate deployments. By automating repetitive processes, automation testing revolutionizes testing. Your team can focus on other intricate problem-solving tasks as a result. It not only accelerates the testing procedure but also improves test accuracy. So, it also helps in lowering the possibility of human mistakes.
1. Understanding API Testing
What is API Testing?
An essential part of the development methodology is API testing. This is because it allows teams to ensure that their API is functioning as intended; however, maintaining the quality of the API is just half the fight. The teams also need to iterate rapidly to offer fresh functions that will keep them competitive. Usually, these teams use the agile development process, which entails releasing minor code updates several times a day or week. This method raises the possibility of breaking modifications even while it facilitates quick development cycles, making it vital to collaborate with an experienced API testing agency for consistent quality assurance.
The solution to this issue is API test automation. API testing automation keeps teams flexible without sacrificing API quality or test coverage. When a developer sends new code, automated API tests can be run automatically. Any development team can easily incorporate this hands-off method into their current process. This will assist them in decreasing the chance that issues may fall between the cracks.
Manual vs. Automated API Testing
Software testing has traditionally been done with lengthy development cycles by specialized QA teams. As teams attempt to address unexpected problems at the last minute, this method can cause delays. It brings more human error.
Whereas automated testing helps eliminate this bottleneck. This is by executing tests sooner and more often during the development process. The automation starts by enabling developers to automatically run tests inside CI/CD pipelines anytime they upload new code. This makes it possible for development teams, especially those in charge of creating APIs. to continually verify their work and identify problems before they affect production. As a result, teams may deploy features more swiftly, securely, and economically by utilizing automated testing.
2. Why Automate API Testing?
Key Advantages
- Speed and consistency in test execution
Developers can identify problems as they are working. All thanks to test automation. Teams can set up the CI/CD pipeline to execute API tests immediately following each code push. They will receive immediate feedback while the program continues to be developed, thanks to this.
- Faster feedback loop
By distributing the testing load throughout the API lifecycle, automated API testing reduces feedback loops. This boosts productivity and helps teams launch new features as soon as feasible.
- Easy regression testing
One of the longest development procedures is regression testing. Testing is necessary for each new feature or bug remedy to make sure it doesn’t interfere with already-existing functionality. Without requiring constant manual input, automation testing enables you to execute these tests rapidly and effectively.
- Reduced human error
Although it is vulnerable to human mistakes, the manual method of testing stands as an essential component of every development team’s process. For example, a developer can run a test improperly or interpret the findings wrongly. By standardizing test runs, API test automation lowers the possibility of human mistakes while boosting confidence and morale.
When to Consider Automation
- The high volume of endpoints
When handling a large number of endpoints, automation is highly advised, especially in situations requiring complicated test cases, frequent testing, or CI/CD pipelines.
- Frequent code changes
As the application and API develop, it may become more difficult to maintain automated API testing. It takes constant work and meticulous documentation to ensure that test scripts are reliable throughout time and are kept current with evolving needs. Failing to do so may result in tests that are out-of-date and unreliable, producing inaccurate findings and lowering the API’s overall quality. Establishing an appropriate version control system to manage test scripts and doing routine reviews are crucial to overcoming this obstacle. This is where you need automated testing.
- CI/CD pipeline integration needs
Modification is to be tested as it is incorporated into the codebase when you include automated testing with your CI/CD process. As a result, there might be less delays and quicker releases. Bugs are discovered early in the production process thanks to automation testing. Throughout the development cycle, testing helps to avoid last-minute surprises.
3. Tools for API Test Automation
Popular Tools to Consider:
- Postman
A Postman API helps teams efficiently automate their suites of API tests. Users can write tests for each request in a collection using Postman’s code snippet library. These tests can then be linked together to develop test suites that verify intricate processes. On Postman’s cloud infrastructure, tests can be scheduled to run automatically at predetermined periods or frequencies, or they can be carried out manually.
SoapUI
Automating API testing is the focus of the headless functional assessment tool SoapUI. It makes testing Web Services. Users of the Free package can get the complete source code and create the features they want.
- Rest Assured
A Java library called REST-assured was created especially for testing web services that utilize REST within the Java environment. It makes sending and receiving HTTP requests and replies easier. The syntax of REST-assured is very legible and simple to use for creating and managing test scripts. The tool easily incorporates into the current Java testing.
- Katalon Studio
Katalon is a comprehensive automated tool for testing APIs. Katalon gives you access to pre-made frameworks for API testing so you can begin automating tests without knowing how to write code. Choosing the settings is all that is required.
- Apache JMeter
Originally created for load and performance testing, Apache JMeter evolved into a flexible tool that is frequently used for testing functional APIs. Numerous protocols and others are supported for testing.
- Swagger & Newman
Newman serves as a command-line interpreter for Postman collections, and it is a popular set of free tools and a standard for creating, documenting, and using REST APIs.
Choosing the Right Tool:
- Team skillset
The expertise and skill level of your team should be considered when selecting an application test automation solution. Test automation tools may be divided into two categories: code-dependent and codeless. Some tools may be more difficult to learn if your employees already have a foundational understanding of the subject, whereas others may be simpler to use.
- Test complexity
Complex tests should never be automated since doing so might result in extremely complicated scripts for tests that are challenging to maintain. Furthermore, they could not deliver accurate, useful findings, which is just ineffective.
- Integration with CI tools
When working on larger projects that employ many tools for testing cycles, integration support is crucial. Some systems have features like API access that make system-to-system communication easier. Data disparities resulting from contradictory changes over time are eliminated by this communication.
4. Best Practices for API Test Automation
- Start small and scale gradually.
Avoid automating all tasks at once. As your team gains experience with automation technologies, start with automating the most time-consuming and repetitive processes and work your way up from there.
- Use data-driven testing techniques.
Using data-driven techniques is a good approach to reducing errors. Data offers and predicts accurately.
- Keep test cases modular and reusable.
Extensive testing parameters guarantee that all facets of the API’s functioning are assessed in detail. This involves assessing the API’s performance and dependability in a variety of scenarios, such as varying network speeds. Security testing to find flaws like injections of SQL or data breaches should be covered by parameters.
- Mock external services to avoid dependencies
Teams must select a tool for testing that works with their current workflows in order to fully benefit from API test automation. For example, it should provide failure warnings through Slack or email and interact easily with its selected CI/CD process. Additionally, some teams might desire a testing system that allows them to send test results to tools for incident response or monitoring.
Integrating API Testing into CI/CD Pipeline
Steps to Automate API Tests in CI/CD:
- Write and commit test scripts to version control.
What specific objectives do you intend to achieve with your automated CI/CD testing? Do you wish to receive test feedback more quickly? Do you want to reduce deployment time? Are you attempting to reduce the quantity of regressions that are overlooked? Clearly state the issue and the changes you would want to see. As a result, establish SMART objectives to guide the kind, quantity, and frequency of your testing.
- Configure test runners (e.g., Newman, Rest Assured)
Establish a Collection containing the tests you wish to run before executing them as part of your CI/CD workflow. Next, create a code sample using Postman that you can add to your CI/CD pipeline setup. Every time your pipeline runs, the Postman CLI executes your test collection.
- Set triggers for API test execution post-build
This is one of the best ways to keep your CI/CD automated testing pipeline short and efficient. It provides your team with a detailed plan outlining which tests to run and at which point. Sort all of your test types by execution effort and priority, then map them to each pipeline stage to generate a testing matrix. This is how it may appear:
- Build stage- Static analysis to identify coding standard breaches and unit tests to verify the smallest code components.
- Post-build- Regression tests to make sure any modifications don’t impact functionality already in place, and integration tests to confirm that all the modules perform together
- Use tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps.
Select a dependable CI/CD technology, such as CircleCI, Jenkins, as well as GitHubActions that works with your stack. Segment your pipeline into distinct phases, including production, staging, post-build, and build. Install plugins or scripts to automate every step, such as utilizing Docker to create test environments or Jenkins to start tests on the most recent code.
Benefits:
Instant test feedback after each commit- Repetitive tests are less likely to include mistakes when the human factor is eliminated, guaranteeing consistent and trustworthy test findings.
Fewer bugs in production– As part of the creation process, automated tests may be run to help teams find and fix problems early on, which lowers the effect and expense of errors
- Improved team confidence– Improved team confidence by automating API tests, teams can concentrate on activities that call for creativity and critical thinking, freeing up human resources.
Measuring Success: KPIs to Track
- API test coverage %- An extensible testing platform that can handle varying loads along with stress levels is necessary for an efficient API test automation plan. When finding the test platform and allocating resources, teams need to consider this.
Test execution time- Slow tests will undermine the aim of API test automation, which is to enable quick iteration. Execution speeds may be adversely affected by extensive test data and poor dependencies. So, make sure your tool offers you the best execution time.
- Number of bugs caught before release- The better the number of bugs, the better your tool. Make sure your tool is efficient in finding out all bugs in real-time.
Take the Leap Towards Faster Releases
Automating software testing is one of the finest strategies to improve the preciseness of your project. Making sure a tool fits your needs is the best method to pick one. Along with attending to the technical aspects, ensure that your testing team has access to 24/7 support in case they encounter any issues. Whether you’re using automation or API testing services, your testing tool should ultimately increase the efficacy of testing, allowing your team to deliver the best feasible product on time.
Author BIO
Niranjan Limbachiya, Founder & CEO of KiwiQA, is a leader in the software testing world.
With a strong focus on quality and innovation, he helps businesses deliver bug-free and reliable
software. Niranjan’s deep knowledge in testing services and his passion for excellence make him
a trusted name in the industry. At KiwiQA, he leads a team dedicated to making software better
and smarter.