11.5.1 - Test Type

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Status Code Validation

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's start with status code validation. Why do you think it's important to check the HTTP status codes when testing APIs?

Student 1
Student 1

I think status codes tell us if our request was successful or if there was an error.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Common status codes like 200 for success, 404 for not found, and 500 for server errors provide vital feedback. Can anyone remember what the status code 201 signifies?

Student 2
Student 2

Isn't it 'Created'? Like when you successfully create a new resource?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! We often see the term '201 Created' when a POST request successfully adds a new entry.

Student 3
Student 3

So, how do we implement this in Postman?

Teacher
Teacher

In Postman, you can write assertions to validate status codes. Remember, always ensure the right status code is returned for every request!

Student 4
Student 4

Can we try an example together?

Teacher
Teacher

Certainly! As a quick recap, validating response statuses provides insights into the health of an API. We’ll go deeper into response body validation next!

Response Body Validation

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, let's delve into response body validation. Why is this necessary?

Student 1
Student 1

To ensure that the API returns the correct information we expect!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! For instance, when retrieving user data, we may want specific fields like 'id' and 'name' to be correct. What do you think could happen if these fields have unexpected values?

Student 2
Student 2

It could cause issues further down the line in the application using that data.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! In Postman, we can assert that field values match our expectations. What coding language is used for these assertions?

Student 3
Student 3

JavaScript!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Writing tests to assert response bodies helps catch issues before they impact users.

Student 4
Student 4

Can we build an assertion together for a user name?

Teacher
Teacher

Definitely! As we wrap up, validating response bodies is a key aspect of ensuring API consistency and reliability.

Data Type Verification

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let’s talk about data type verification. Why do we care about the data types in API responses?

Student 1
Student 1

Different data types can affect how we use the returned information, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Using an integer where a string is expected can throw an application off. In the response, if we expect an 'id' to be an integer, what could happen if it's not?

Student 2
Student 2

It could lead to errors when processing that data in our application!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! That's why we validate data types. In Postman, we can do this easily using JavaScript assertions. Can anyone give me an example of how we might check a field type?

Student 3
Student 3

We could use `typeof` to check if it's an integer!

Teacher
Teacher

Great point! Using assertions to verify data types helps prevent unexpected behavior in applications. Let's summarize.

Authorization Tests

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s discuss authorization tests. Why are these necessary?

Student 1
Student 1

To make sure only authorized users can access certain resources.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! If we send requests without the required token, what kind of status should we expect?

Student 2
Student 2

A 401 Unauthorized error!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! In Postman, we can automate assertions for such scenarios. How would tests for valid and invalid tokens look?

Student 3
Student 3

We'd check that valid requests are accepted while invalid ones return a 401 status.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Authorization tests ensure the integrity of API security, highlighting any vulnerabilities.

Negative Testing

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s wrap up by discussing negative testing. Why is this a crucial aspect of API testing?

Student 1
Student 1

It helps ensure that the API can handle unexpected or incorrect inputs gracefully.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! If an API responds with a useful error message when given invalid input, what does that indicate?

Student 2
Student 2

It means the API is robust and user-friendly!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! In Postman, negative tests can help identify how well the system communicates error states back to users. Let’s summarize all key points we’ve discussed today.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section covers different types of API tests that can be executed using Postman to validate the functionality and robustness of APIs.

Standard

The section discusses various types of tests that can be conducted in API testing using Postman, emphasizing the importance of checking status codes, response body, data types, and error messages. It also highlights how these tests are crucial for ensuring reliable backend functionality.

Detailed

Test Type

API testing serves a critical role in verifying the functionality and reliability of application backends through various test types. Postman, as an intuitive testing tool, allows users to automate these validations easily. This section articulates the key types of API tests, which include:

  • Status Code Validation: Ensuring that the server responds with the correct HTTP status codes (like 200, 201, 404, and 500).
  • Response Body Validation: Checking specific fields in the API response to confirm they meet expected values or structures.
  • Data Type Verification: Validating that the returned data fields uphold the correct formats, such as integers for IDs or strings for emails.
  • Authorization Tests: Sending requests without required tokens to ascertain proper authentication handling, thus verifying the security of the API.
  • Negative Testing: Submitting invalid data to check whether the API provides appropriate error responses.

By employing these test types, QA professionals can ensure backend systems operate correctly and reliably, contributing to the overall quality of the software.

Audio Book

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Status Code Validation

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Check for correct HTTP status (200, 201, 400, 404, 500)

Detailed Explanation

This chunk is about validating the HTTP status codes returned by the API. When you send a request to an API, it responds with a status code indicating whether the request was successful or if something went wrong. Common status codes include 200 for success, 201 for resource creation, 400 for bad requests, 404 for not found, and 500 for server errors. It is essential to check these status codes to ensure the API behaves as expected.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this like calling a customer service line. If your call is successful, you get a friendly human (status code 200). If you reach an automated message saying the service is no longer available, that’s like getting a 404. If there's an error on the service provider's side, akin to a busy signal, that’s similar to a status code 500.

Response Body Validation

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Verify fields like id, name, etc.

Detailed Explanation

In this chunk, we focus on validating the response body of the API. After the API processes the request, it returns data, which is often in JSON format. This data includes fields that you expect, such as user IDs and names. Verifying these fields helps ensure that the API returns the correct information as specified by the documentation.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you ordered a pizza online. When it arrives, you check to see if it matches your order (the fields). If you expected a large pepperoni pizza but got a small cheese pizza instead, there’s a problem just like an unexpected response body from the API.

Field Data Type Checks

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Ensure id is an integer, email is a string

Detailed Explanation

This chunk addresses validating the data types of the fields returned in the API response. For example, if a user ID should be an integer, we run a test to confirm it is indeed an integer. Similarly, an email address should be formatted as a string. Ensuring data types match expectations helps in preventing errors downstream in applications using this data.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this like checking a batch of eggs at a grocery store. You wouldn’t want to find a tomato in there among the eggs! Just as you expect eggs to be eggs, you expect the API response data types to be correct.

Authorization Testing

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Send without token and verify 401 Unauthorized

Detailed Explanation

Authorization testing is done to ensure that the API correctly restricts access to authorized users only. By sending a request without an authorization token, you should receive a 401 Unauthorized response, confirming that the API is working to secure its resources and allow access only to users with proper credentials.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine trying to enter a secured building without an ID badge. The security guards (API) will not let you in and will inform you that you lack authorization (401). This is how APIs ensure that only permitted users can access certain data or functionality.

Negative Testing

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Send invalid data, expect proper error message

Detailed Explanation

Negative testing involves sending invalid or corrupted data to the API and verifying that it responds appropriately, usually with an error message. This helps ensure that the API can handle error scenarios and react correctly to undesired input, preventing potential crashes or unexpected behaviors.

Examples & Analogies

Picture submitting a job application but leaving out critical information like your contact number. The company (API) should respond with a message indicating you missed a required field, similar to how the API provides error messages for invalid data inputs.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Status Code Validation: The process of checking that an API response returns the proper HTTP status codes.

  • Response Body Validation: Ensuring that the fields in the API response contain the expected values.

  • Data Type Verification: Checking that the returned data types in the response match the expected types.

  • Authorization Tests: Validating that the API properly restricts access based on user credentials.

  • Negative Testing: Testing the API with invalid data to verify how the system handles erroneous scenarios.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Testing if a successful API request returns a 200 status code.

  • Verifying that the returned user object includes the correct name and ID fields.

  • Ensuring that ID is of type integer in the response body.

  • Sending a request without a token and checking for a 401 Unauthorized response.

  • Submitting invalid payload data and confirming the API responds with an appropriate error message.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When you test APIs, don’t forget the code, check the status and the payload!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine an API as a restaurant. The status code is the waiter confirming your order is ready, the response body is the meal served, and negative tests are when you send back a dish that’s not right, ensuring customer satisfaction.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember ‘SERA’ for API testing: Status, Existence of fields, Response types, and Authorization checks.

🎯 Super Acronyms

Use 'CREATED' to remember

  • Code
  • Response
  • Existence
  • Assertion
  • Data types.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: API (Application Programming Interface)

    Definition:

    A set of rules that allow different software applications to communicate with each other.

  • Term: Postman

    Definition:

    A GUI tool used for sending API requests, viewing responses, and performing API testing.

  • Term: HTTP Status Code

    Definition:

    A standard response code given by web servers to indicate the result of a client's request.

  • Term: Assertions

    Definition:

    Scripts written to validate the correctness of API responses in testing.

  • Term: Negative Testing

    Definition:

    Testing a system with invalid input to ensure it can handle erroneous conditions gracefully.

  • Term: Data Type Verification

    Definition:

    The process of checking the data types of the returned fields from an API.