API Testing: A Complete Guide
🔹 What is API Testing?
API (Application Programming Interface) testing is a type of software testing that focuses on
verifying the functionality, reliability, security, and performance of APIs. Unlike UI testing,
API testing directly validates the business logic at the server level.
1️Types of API Testing
1. Functional Testing – Ensures the API returns the expected responses.
2. Integration Testing – Checks how different APIs work together.
3. Performance Testing – Evaluates the API's speed, stability, and scalability.
4. Security Testing – Ensures APIs are protected from vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL
injection, authentication flaws).
5. Validation Testing – Ensures the API's response structure and content are correct.
6. Error Handling Testing – Checks how the API responds to incorrect requests.
2️API Testing Methods
1. GET – Retrieves data from the server.
2. POST – Sends data to the server to create a resource.
3. PUT – Updates an existing resource.
4. DELETE – Removes a resource from the server.
3️API Testing Tools
Postman – Manual & automation API testing.
RestAssured – Java-based API automation.
SoapUI – Best for SOAP and REST API testing.
JMeter – Performance testing of APIs.
cURL – Command-line tool for making API requests.
4️API Testing Process
1. Understand API requirements (Request method, parameters, headers, response
format).
2. Set up the API environment (Authentication, Base URL, API keys).
3. Send requests and validate responses (Status codes, response body, time).
4. Check error handling (Invalid inputs, missing parameters).
5. Automate API testing using tools like Postman or RestAssured.
5️Common API Testing Assertions
Status Code Validation
json
CopyEdit
{
"status": 200
}
Response Time Validation (API should respond in <2 sec).
Response Body Validation (Expected JSON structure).
Header Validation (Content-Type, Authorization).
6️Example API Test Cases
✅ Verify GET request returns expected data
✅ Verify API returns 401 Unauthorized when API key is missing
✅ Verify API response time is within the acceptable limit
✅ Verify API handles invalid parameters correctly
✅ Verify POST request creates a new resource successfully
7️Example API Testing with Postman
1. Open Postman and enter the API URL.
2. Select the HTTP method (GET, POST, etc.).
3. Add headers and request body if needed.
4. Click Send and check the response.
5. Use Tests tab to write assertions (e.g., pm.response.to.have.status(200);).
API testing ensures your application is robust and error-free. Master API
automation for better efficiency!