Focus on the advantages of API testing compared to UI testing.
Difference Between UI Testing and API Testing
UI Testing involves testing user interface elements (buttons, text fields, etc.).
API Testing tests the application at a deeper level, covering more functionality.
Key Advantages of API Testing
1. Increased Test Coverage
API calls are made for every small action in complex applications (e.g., Amazon).
API testing allows for thorough testing of all actions, leading to higher test coverage than UI testing.
2. Early Testing
In Agile methodologies, UI development may lag behind API development.
Testing teams can start testing APIs before the UI is ready, leading to better time management and coverage.
Allows for identification of defects early in the development cycle.
3. Same API Across Multiple Platforms
Same APIs can be used across different platforms (web, mobile, desktop).
Testing APIs can ensure functionality is consistent across all platforms and reduce redundant testing.
4. Faster Time to Resolution
Reporting defects at the API level can lead to quicker fixes by the appropriate development team.
Avoids confusion by clearly indicating where the defect originated (API vs. UI).
5. Easier Test Maintenance
APIs tend to change less frequently than UI elements.
Reduces the need to update test cases frequently, leading to easier maintenance.
6. Faster Testing
API tests provide quicker responses compared to UI tests which may involve loading time.
Automated API testing can yield results in minutes rather than hours.
7. Bypassing UI Restrictions
API testing allows testers to bypass UI validations/ restrictions.
Testers can send data that the UI might restrict (e.g., invalid email formats) to ensure server-side validations are in place.
Essential for security testing and ensuring robustness against exploitation.
Summary
API testing offers numerous advantages over UI testing, including increased coverage, early testing opportunities, faster resolution times, easier maintenance, and the ability to bypass UI restrictions.
It complements UI testing by validating the underlying functionality before the UI is ready.
Next Session
Upcoming topics in API testing will be covered in the next session.