Lecture Notes: Cypress API Testing

Introduction

• The lecture introduces a new series on Cypress API testing.
• Cypress supports API testing along with web automation testing.

Environment Setup

• Environment setup for API testing with Cypress is the same as web automation.
• Review Part 2 of the web automation series for environment setup details.
• Key components required:
  • Install Node.js
  • Install npm package
  • Install Visual Studio Code
  • Install Cypress package

Project Setup

• Create a project folder named Cypress Automation.
• Default folder structure created includes an e2e folder for specification files.
• Create a new folder under e2e named API Testing for API test cases.

Writing and Executing HTTP Requests

• Describe Block: Used for grouping test cases.
• It Block: Used for writing individual test cases.

Handling GET Requests

• Use Postman to identify API URL and expected responses.
• In Cypress, use cy.request() for sending HTTP requests.
• Validate the response status code using .its('status').should('equal', 200);.

Handling POST Requests

• POST requests require sending a request body along with the URL.
• Send POST request using cy.request() with method, URL, and body parameters.
• Validate with .its('status').should('equal', 201); to check for successful creation.

Handling PUT Requests

• Use PUT for updating existing records.
• Define method, URL, and JSON body for the PUT request.
• Validate using .its('status').should('equal', 200);.

Handling DELETE Requests

• DELETE requests remove resources specified by the URL.
• Use cy.request() with method and URL parameters.
• Validate deletion with .its('status').should('equal', 200);.

Running Tests

• Use terminal commands to run tests:
  • npx cypress run --spec "file-path" for specific file execution.
  • npx cypress open to run tests through the Cypress application interface.

Conclusion

• Cypress can perform different types of HTTP requests without additional libraries.
• Future videos will cover more in-depth topics such as response validation.

---

This lecture covers the basics of setting up Cypress for API testing and sending various HTTP requests. It includes practical steps for writing test cases and validating them using Cypress.