Top 6 Challenges of API Testing
API Testing forms a core part of testing web applications. Generally, an Application programming interface (API) testing is defined as a means to “secure as well as optimize communication between various platforms, examining diverse components comprising pinpointing flaws, debugging, finding inconsistencies, lockdown security & gauging performance. Testing APIs is faster than functional GUI test, which overall guarantees core functionality & can easily incorporate with GUI testing. As with any attempt, some challenges will occur. Testing APIs is not an exception.
The global API testing market acquired USD 661.69 million in 2019 and is estimated to hit USD 2550.38 million by 2027, as per Verified Market Research. The need for API testing can be very well highlighted from its varied benefits; such as:
- It is regarded as time and cost-effective since it usually takes less time than functional GUI tests.
- The transfer model for API testing is language-independent; connotation, you can prefer any language while executing an API test.
- It can also be a central part of integration testing, such as the GUI at a later phase.
Other advantages include creating a better synergy among development teams & fabricating quick outcomes by reducing reliance on preconditions by isolating elements.
Apart from the advantages, the testing teams are majorly stressed when they get to encounter crucial challenges at the time of testing API implementations. Since API testing is an essential part of the integration testing process, the primary concerns arising during its operation need to be addressed at the earliest.
Below you’ll find the following 5 most common challenges encountered while testing APIs:
1. Initial Setting up of API Testing
Getting the initial set up of test infrastructure and running is one of the critical challenges of the process, not because it is an arduous task, but because it can be a considerable motivation-killer. Once you manage to motivate the dedicated software testing team to get through the necessary procedure, it pays off over the long-term.
Solution:
After setting up your API testing environment, you can start with the collaboration of your app data with your API tests to ensure that the API performs as expected.
2. Updating the API Testing’ Schema
The schema in other sense, the data formatting that handles requirements and requests for the API –necessary to be maintained throughout the test procedure. Any up gradation to the program that creates added parameters for the API calls should reflect the schema configuration.
Solution:
In the current API economy, having an ever-changing Application programming interface helps facilitate the demand. But, there can be downtime caused by those modifications. The best method to avoid that is to comprehensively API test in alpha and beta environments. The possibilities of complications can quickly decrease by 80-85 % percent when testing in such environments.
3. Testing All Possible Parameter Request Combinations
APIs handle communication amid systems by passing on data values to parameters & transiting those parameters through data needs. It is crucial to test all the essential parameter blending in the API to test for flaws in specific configurations. The more significant project could wind up assigning two varied values to similar limits or create instances where numerical values appear when text values should be. The addition of an extra parameter exponentially increases the no. of likely combinations.
Solution:
Pick applications that are not complex to everyday operations. This way, you can see how the API is being utilized plus any configurational modifications required to have a GA (general availability) release.
4. Validating Parameters by Testing Team
Validating the parameters is one of the essential things but challenging sometimes. It must demonstrate how fast you are serving those parameters. The team needs to be sure every crucial parameter data uses the appropriate string or numerical data type, fits within an assigned value range, fits within length limitations, and passes another validation criterion.
Solution:
It can be solved by having continuous synthetic API monitoring to grab the issues early on. Besides, it must be combined with an APM solution to get a complete 360-degree view.
5. Tracking System Integration
Finally, this challenge ensures that the API system is working correctly with the data tracking system. It is critical to bring back correct responses on whether or not a call is working accurately. It’s also utilized to examine APIs’ performance. As this particular step can come late in the process, the expert tester may find it too exhausted to give it the required interest.
Solution:
Focus on the applications in the designing phase and check out how well it will integrate with other systems. Various apps have diverse needs that need to be met. Try to make sure that you are not causing your apps to fail by testing in parallel with critical integration systems. It is accomplished by implementing load testing in your continuous delivery.
Overall, API testing is a crucial part of application development in the modern business environment. Contact us to solve the glitches in your app.
Learn how ImpactQA performed API testing for India's leading Skincare and Cosmetics eCommerce Store and Increased their App's Performance by 40%
