The Best Automated API Testing Tools for Developers and QAs Experts

 

APIs have been around since 1960s. The digital experiences we have today would not be possible without APIs. API's can do everything, right from driving highly-targeted marketing campaigns to checking weather data on mobile apps.

API testing is essential for software testers. This is why it is so important to monitor the field so closely. There are many external factors that can have a significant impact on a software’s program and performance such as operating systems, networking, hardware, firmware and database. Software developers are often faced with situations where their software applications rely on functions that cannot be performed while they are in an operational state.

 API testing shows significant impact on the quality and performance of the applications. Software engineers can now use test automation frameworks to achieve software API compliance thanks to the rapid rise in technology and knowledge in the software industry.

To fully use a testing automation framework you need to understand the differences between automated and non-automated tests. Automated testing is the testing of software via load testing or parallelizable loads testing. Non-automated tests, on the other side, are those that integrate testing methods with actual execution and use of the software. It is essential to learn more about API testing. These are just a few:

API testing can be done with many resources. These tools include visual tools, load tester tools and testing automation frameworks. It is important to determine which tool will be most effective for your business. This will allow you to get the most from your API testing. You can also receive quick feedback from your testers and obtain quick results for the better performance of the software application.  In case if you’re in search of finding the best Automated API testing services then, Sun Technologies’ is the leading service provider across the globe. We helped fortune 500 companies, small & medium sized businesses in our long-journey to deliver premium software applications which runs in a butter-smooth way that is bug free. Below, we have attached our case study too.

 

Read our latest case study regarding how we helped a top-tier insurance organization in US.

 

What is API Testing?

API testing is known as a software testing process in which the application programming interface is tested in-depth to its core limits for meeting the expected functionality, performance, reliability including the security of application. However, applications have 3 different types of layers such as presentation layer, business layer and database layer.

API testing takes place at the Business Layer, which is the most important layer of software architecture. The business layer is where business logic processing takes place. All transactions between User Interface (UI) and the database take place. API provides the functionality required to expand the product's future capabilities.

Importance of API Testing

APIs can be subject to bugs, and other errors like any other software. Performing API testing is so important. A problem in your API can have a dramatic effect on hundreds or even thousands of users. A robust API testing approach is essential to ensure software quality.

 

Types of API Testing

Unit testing

Security testing

UI testing

Functional testing

Load testing

Error Detection

Interoperability & WS compliance testing

Penetration testing

Fuzz testing

 

API Testing Documentation

API documentation is technical content that describes the API. It contains instructions on how to use the API and how to integrate it. It provides information about the API's current status, such as updates or retirements. Some API documentation can also be generated automatically using Swagger or other documents. After Publishing APIs, another party would decide what to do next. API documentation is a reference manual. It has all the information you could use. 

Enterprises are vastly relying on APIs. APIs must be tested, just like any other piece of software. This is to find bugs, security vulnerabilities and inconsistencies within the API. Ineffective software could result in a slow adoption of APIs. Imagine an API developer releasing an API and not testing it. Soon after the API release, an API user tries to use the API but discovers that not all API calls work and decides to stop using the API. This is because API adoption was lower due to insufficient API testing.

 

API Testing Automation Tools

 

1.      IntelliSWAUT

2.      RapidAPI

3.      REST-assured

4.      Postman

5.      Paw

6.      SoapUI

7.      Katalon Studio

8.      Apache Jmeter

9.      Karate DSL

10.   Tricentis Tosca

11.   Assertible

Types of API Testing Frameworks

API testing is essential for any API's success. To ensure that APIs work correctly, companies need to go through several testing frameworks. This includes testing the following components (although this list is not exhaustive)

Functionality: Does the API function?

Reliability: Can API users connect to it and get consistent results?

Load: Does your API load correctly?

Usability: Does the API make it easy to use?

Documentation: Do you have documents that explain the API's purpose and how to use it.

However, companies have the option to test APIs manually or automatically. Automated testing is generally recommended for APIs as it improves efficiency, reduces time needed to test, and complements agile development cycles and continuous delivery cycles.

 

Benefits of API Testing

Access without UI

API testing offers a key advantage: access to the application is possible without the need for a user interface. QA testers are able to run API tests without having to use the software application. This gives QA engineers an advantage as it allows them to see early signs of potential problems and can help developers fix them before they affect the GUI.

Check for core functionality

Before running GUI tests, it is important to test the code-level functionality before you start testing GUI. This allows you to identify small problems that could grow and cause more serious issues during GUI testing. Core access allows you to test in tandem with the development team, which fosters communication and improves collaboration between both sides. This is particularly useful if your API testing is done with an offshore QA team.

Time effective

API testing takes far less time than functional GUI testing (graphical user interface). This is one of the main differences between API and GUI testing. GUI testing involves the polling elements of web pages, which can make the testing process slow. What’s the API testing's greatest asset? It's speed in delivering results.

How much time can APIs help you save by testing your core functionality of your app? Take a look at this real-life example, calculated by our engineers: In parallel execution, 3,000 API tests can be completed in just 50 minutes 3000 GUI tests in 30 Hours (in parallel execution).

Similar time savings can be expected for your QA UI testing group. API testing is faster than automated GUI tests because it requires less code. A lower overall testing cost is the end result of faster testing.

Language-Independent

An API test can exchange data using XML and JSON, as previously stated. Mostly, this kind of transfer modes are totally language-independent. Testers can select any core language while performing automated tests.

GUI Integration is Easy

API testing allows for highly integrated tests. This is particularly important if you plan on performing functional GUI tests after your API testing. An example of this is easy integration, which allows for the creation and activation of new users in the application before the GUI test begins.

 

Best Practices for API Testing

After you have created your test plan, you should follow these rules to ensure you pass the test.

·        Start testing with expected results.

·        A series of API load testing can add stress to your system

·        Make sure to test for failure conditions. For negative cases, ensure API fails consistently

·        Prioritize API function calls to make it easier for testers

·        Check out how an API behaves.

·        Automate any API testing task, if you can.

·        Test cases for groups based on the category.

·        For maximum coverage, cover all input combinations

·        Include parameter selection in test cases explicit.

·        Avoid test chaining

·        It is important to plan your call sequence.

 

Conclusion

A solid automated API testing strategy will ensure that your applications work the same way today as yesterday. API testing can help you identify defects in multiple layers of your application. You can automate these tests with the help of Sun Technologies’ AI-empowered scriptless test automation tool – Intelliswaut. This allows you to ensure that your application meets business requirements while still being functionally accurate and gives more edge over the security compliance at the same time. 

Contact us today for the top-notch Automated API Testing Services