Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are sets of functions that allow your software application to trace data and interact with external software systems or components. Some instances of APIs include logging into an application using a social media profile, paying online via PayPal or accessing local weather snippets on search engines.

1. How to solve critical business
challenges with API Testing

2. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are sets of
functions that allow your software application to trace data
and interact with external software systems or components.
Some instances of APIs include logging into an application
using a social media profile, paying online via PayPal or
accessing local weather snippets on search engines.
What Is API Testing?
API testing is the way to verify the health of every API within
the software system. This API testing approach ensures that
all APIs’ functionality, security, reliability, and performance
stay intact.
Unlike UI testing, QA teams run API test cases without
interacting with the software product’s user interface.
Instead, QA engineers pay attention to testing the business
logic layer of the API framework.

3. Surpassing the user’s experience in testing your application,
the QA team needs to resolve many challenges in manual
testing by running API tests.
There is a need to implement custom solutions. However,
these are some common challenges everyone runs into.
Value of API in business
APIs enable businesses to :
· Connect with customers:
An effective API can give potential customers additional
reasons to interact and connect with their business on a
personal level.
· Streamline operations:
The insurance company could develop private APIs to be
used by its employees — for instance, to give accurate
information to the sales team that can help them calculate
quotes more efficiently, even if they are on the road,
through mobile apps.

4. How to Overcome Challenges in API Testing
Unlike the challenges in manual testing that occur in the user
interface, QA teams must tackle API issues in the API
framework and business logic layer.
This API testing approach often prevents IU issues before
manual testing. The dashboard shows its own set of
obstacles by executing API test cases before interacting
with your product.
Luckily, you can reduce the challenges faced in API testing
by implementing the best practices:
1. API Testing Setup
Manual testing makes sure what works and what do not.
However, automated testing is also necessary with API to
determine how well they can work under pressure. The most
challenging part of the process is to set up the testing
infrastructure and run it.

5. Solution:
To win over the testing challenges, you need to figure out
how your APIs look in the design phase to have the APIs
100% uptime.
2. Updating API Schema
Working with an ever-changing API helps facilitate demand
in today’s API economy. Although, when APIs update, the
data formatting handling requests and responses must also
be updated. Else, it can lead to a slowing down of the
whole process.
Solution:
To avoid the downtime challenges, thoroughly test the API in
alpha and beta environments. The chances of issues go
down to 90 percent if you do so.

6. 3. Sequencing API Calls
In many cases, API calls require appearing in a specific order to
work accurately. This generates a sequencing challenge for the
testing team. For instance, if a call to return a user’s profile
information goes through before the profile is even created; the
request will return an error. This becomes more complicated when
more applications are involved.
Solution:
We suggest making a flowchart to visualize the API calls. This helps
developers build API calls and integrate them quickly without
causing issues.
4. Tracking Systems Integration
It’s essential to make sure the API testing system is functioning
correctly with the data tracking system. This helps bring back
correct responses on whether a call is working correctly.
Also, it’s used to monitor API performance passively. To dodge
any challenges here, rethink your application in the design phase
or how it will integrate.

7. Solution:
Ensure you aren’t causing any applications failure by testing
in parallel with critical integration systems. This can be done
by implementing and involving load testing in your
continuous delivery.
5. Testing All Possible Parameter Request Combinations
APIs handle communication systems by forwarding data
values to parameters & transiting the parameters through
data needs. It is important to test all the essential parameter
blending in the API to check for flaws in specific
configurations.
A significant project could end up assigning two varied
values to similar limits or creating instances where numerical
values are at the pace of text values. The addition of an
extra parameter increases the no. of likely combinations
exponentially.

8. Solution:
Pick applications that are simple for everyday operations.
This way, you can see how the API is being used, plus if any
configuration modifications are required to have a GA
(general availability) release.
6. Validating Parameters by Testing Team
Validating the parameters is one of the important things, but
challenging sometimes. It must showcase how fast you are
serving those parameters. The team must be sure that every
crucial parameter data uses the appropriate string or
numerical data type fits within length limitations, an assigned
value range, and passes another validation criterion.
Solution:
It can be resolved by having continuous synthetic API
tracking and monitoring to grab the issues early on.
Furthermore, it must be combined with an APM solution to
have a complete 360-degree view.

9. 7. Allow Time for Familiarity with APIs
While most QA testers are familiar with manual testing
challenges, they may not be as versed in API testing. To your
knowledge, many peers on your QA team might not be
familiar with an API framework or even comfortable running
API test cases. A solid API testing strategy doesn’t thrive
when your team doesn’t have the skillset for testing APIs.
Solution:
Give comprehensive training that explains your APIs and the
business logic layer of your product. Review with your team
the rules dictating the usage of your APIs, right from
copyright policies, rate limits to storage policies, and display
policies.
If possible, hire QA engineers for your team having extensive
API testing knowledge and experience with the challenges
faced in API testing.

10. 8. Ensure the Framework Is Suitable for APIs
Any upgrade to your product or within the API can
drastically alter how your framework supports APIs. Also,
validating the parameters within your API framework is a
daunting task, especially when your APIs need specific
restrictions and validation criteria.
Solution:
Continuous APIs testing throughout the development cycle
also catches defects early, letting developers resolve the
issues sooner.
Regular review of the framework ensures your framework is
suitable for testing APIs. And when in doubt, ask yourself
these questions during inspection:
● Does your framework allow integrations with GUI tests?
● Will the framework supports GUI tests?
● Can the framework use API libraries and build
management tools?

11. Conclusion
API testing is an important part of application development
in the modern business environment. Letting it slide can be a
big mistake and cost you big bucks. It’s better to be careful
and alert with the system and follow a routine check-up to
make sure everything is in place.
If you are looking for custom API Testing Services, we can be
your partner of choice. Mindfire Solutions has a team of
highly skilled 650+ certified software development and
testing professionals, who have been serving global clients
for over 20+ years.
Here is an interesting project we have worked on API Testing.
Click here to know more:
Automated testing of REST API

12. Thanks You
Content Source: Medium
Contented by: Mindfire Solutions