API integration testing is the future. The digital world is really just an expanse of application interactions and communication. If your product cannot participate correctly and efficiently in the worldwide give and take of automated endpoint dialogue, it will break. Let’s do a deep dive to understand the basics of API integration.
What is API Integration?
An Application Programming Interface (or API) is an interface that facilitates communication and connectivity between multiple software applications. The API layer of an application is, in simple terms, the channel that connects client and server (one microservice to another) and drives business processes.
Read also: API Testing vs UI Tetins
API integration is seamless connectivity that allows business organizations to automate their business processes and embed and share data among different systems and applications. TripAdvisor, for example, aggregates information about flights and hotels by calling their APIs.
An API that is customer-facing and exposed to end-users can become a product by itself. It can cause damage to not only one application, but the entire business process that is built around it.
Modern enterprises need APIs. It is not about whether APIs are valid, but rather how many APIs are needed and how they are created and published. This leads to the need for testing and monitoring APIs for functionality.
How do you test an API?
API testing is the direct testing of the programming interface. Integration tests are also used to test the functionality, reliability, and security. It is important to know the various test categories when testing an API.
- Security testing is used to assess whether an API is adequately protected against malicious code.
- Functional testing is used to determine if the endpoints are in compliance with the requirements.
- Performance testing ensures that the API is able to respond to requests of a specific size and can quickly redirect clients to meet system requirements.
- Connectivity is the ability to determine if an API is functional and responding to requests and pings.
However, like any other aspect of QA, API testing can present challenges . Your QA specialists will need to spend time getting to know your API. Due to time constraints, there are limitations on the number of test scenarios you can complete. Therefore, it is important to prioritize. It is important to have a test case design and framework that allows for changes to the UI phase.
API integration testing is the future. However, you must overcome these challenges to make it happen.
API Integration Volume Challenge
This testing can be complicated by the large number of input parameter combinations. APIs handle intersystem communication by assigning parameters values and then evaluating these through data requests. It is important to test every possible combination of parameter requests in order to find problems related to particular configurations. Each parameter you add increases the possibilities.
Different API test parameters should be considered and their combinations carefully in order to ensure that API coverage is high. Prioritizing release applications can streamline this process. You can monitor how the API is being used and make any necessary configuration changes before a general release.
API Call Sequence Challenge
API calls often need to be made in a specific order in order to work. This requires that the sequence in which one element requests another is dependent on the previous one. Your test framework is key to this solution. Your test should include all API scenarios. This will allow your engineers to visualize the API call flow and integrate them more quickly, without causing any adverse knock-on effects.
Your QA expert should be familiar with a range of tools and frameworks. They should also bring an unbiased approach to your project in order to implement the best combination of API testing solutions.
Challenge API Schema Updates
Your API integration test must be able to adapt to changes. Your schema must be updated regularly, as the process is often parallel to development and bug reporting actions. Any API changes, including the addition of new features and any new parameters, will require immediate updates to your test cases or automation scripts.
These changes can cause downtime and waste time. It is possible to save the end user drama by testing live apps in Beta before general release. However, it is best to plan for expected delays in your initial QA plan.
Change is coming. Both weakness and fault will be present. This is why the QA process exists. It is better to be prepared for the unexpected in all projects.
Data Tracking Challenge
To analyze performance and response, your API integration testing must work with your data tracking services and system monitoring services. This is often overlooked in the QA process. However, it must be able monitor call responses across a variety of geographic locations to ensure that they are robust.
The endpoint must be declared when writing API test cases. To ensure that it is not overlooked, this type of regulation must be included in your QA process during the design phase.
Robust API Integration Testing is the Future
While we think about the design phase of API integration testing, there are some best practices that can be used to guide you. Always ensure:
- API test scenarios can be self-contained and are independent whenever possible
- Automated tests can be used to cover all scenarios
- Testing includes areas that are not possible to test through the UI
- Application under testing workflow prioritizes API function calls
This type of testing needs careful planning. Your QA expert will be able to help plan the API testing phase.
API integration testing is essential to your product’s core functionality. This functionality determines the user experience. This user experience will determine the success or failure rate of your product.
API integration testing is one of the most controversial and complex uses of automation testing. It involves testing for structure, change, and scale. However, the rewards are higher quality products that are produced faster. It’s a challenging task but well worth it.