Top 4 Challenges of API Testing and How to Overcome Them

API Tests form a critical component of testing web apps. Usually, an API test is explained as a method to “optimize and secure interaction between numerous platforms, scrutinizing different elements counting debugging, pinpointing flaws, searching inconsistencies, and lock down security as well as gauging performance. Application programming interface (API) testing offered by API Testing Company is faster than functional GUI (Graphical User Interface) testing which overall guarantees crucial functionality and can effortlessly incorporate with GUI tests. As with any endeavour, some challenges could come about. Testing APIs is not exclusion.

McKinsey rightly highlights the worth of API for enterprises –

“As the connective tissue connecting ecosystems of organizations and technologies, APIs permits enterprises to forge profitable partnerships, monetize data, as well as an open new path for advancement, growth, and innovation.”

APIs allow multiple inter-app communiqué channels and support holistic service delivery. This increases user satisfaction and time-to-market, giving companies a competitive edge. It helps to determine some issues before they turn into the destructive one. It always takes minimum time and effort than functional GUI testing. Adopting APIs as a model for service delivery forces companies to organize organizational courses of action.

APIs also assists collaboration in the enterprise app ecosystem, where companies can engage in a mutually-rewards relationship while enhancing their own productivity and effectiveness. The API test’s transfer model is language-free, connotation you can prefer any language while doing this kind of testing. API Testing Service can also be a vital part of integration tests. Besides, other benefits are creating an improved synergy among development teams and generating faster results.

Also Read: Most Common Mistakes Developers Make While API Testing

4 Most Common challenges of API testing and How to Overcome Them

1.    Initial Set-Up of API Test

Manual tests help confirms whether something works. An automated test is compulsory with APIs to gauge how perfectly they carry out under pressure. The initial setting of testing infrastructure and running is the most critical challenge of the procedure, not because it is a tricky job, but because of the fact that it could be a substantial interest-destructor. Once you manage to encourage your group or team members to go through the procedure, though, it pays off over the extended-term.

How to Overcome: After setting up your API tests environment, you can begin with the collaboration of the application data with your API testing to make certain that the API act upon as expected.

2.    Upgrading the Schema of API Tests

The Schema of API Tests in a different sense, the data formatting that manages needs as well as requests for the API essential to be maintained throughout the testing process. The revise to the program that generates added factors (for the API calls) need to be reflected in the APIs schema configuration.

How to Overcome: In the most modern API economy, having an ever-growing and changing API helps facilitate the increasing demand. Although, there can be discontinuation and down-time caused by those alterations. One of the best ways to avoid is to systematically and painstakingly test the API in alpha and beta environs. The chances of problems can be simply reduced by 80-85 % when tests in such environments.

3.    Problem of Sequencing the API Calls

In several times, API calls have to appear in a precise order to function appropriately. This forms a sequencing challenge for the tests team. For instance, if in case a call to return profile information of users goes through prior to the profile is formed; the request will then come back as an error. On the flip hand, an action to make a map requires to run before placing location pins on the map to function perfectly. This kind of procedure can get even more intricate when functioning with multi-threaded apps.

How to Overcome: One of the best ways to control the problem of sequencing the API calls is to prepare a flowchart to visualize the API calls. This will support modern developers to build API calls and integrate them more rapidly without causing complications.

Also Read: Top 10 API Testing Tools

4.    Testing All Parameter Request Combinations

APIs manage communication amongst systems by allocating data values to parameters and transferring those parameters through data requirements. It is critical to test all the crucial parameter blending in the API for testing for flaws about particular configurations. The big project could wind up allocating two distinct values to the same limits or create instances wherein numerical values emerge when text values should be. The add up of a further parameter rationally enhances the amount of possible arrangement.

How to Overcome: Pick apps that are not intricate to daily operations. In this way, we could easily notice how the API is being employed, and also if any configurational alteration that necessitates being ready to have a GA (general availability) release.

What are the crucial API testing tools?

Open-Source Tools:

·     Rest-Assured

·     JMeter

·     Tricentis

·     Parasoft SOAtest

·     Karate DSL

·     Citrus Framework

Commercial Tools:

·     Apigee

·     Postman

·     Katalon Studio

·     SoapUI

In a nutshell, API testing is one of the most essential divisions of application development in the modern business environ. If you need help addressing and conquering your API Testing Challenges, our devoted professional team at KiwiQA is here to help!