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Introduction to Postman Basics and Usage

May 4, 2024

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Lecture Notes: Introduction to Postman

Summary

In this session, Raghav introduces the basic concepts and functionalities of Postman, a popular API platform. The session covers the setup, exploring the GUI and features of Postman. Raghav shows both web and downloadable versions for different operating systems, and provides a step-by-step guide on creating a Postman account and navigating the GUI.

Main Points

What is Postman?

  • Platform for API management: From development to monitoring, Postman covers complete API lifecycle management.
  • Compatibility: Available as a web application and can be used across different operating systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Setting Up and Signing Up

  1. Website Access:

    • Visit Postman.com.
    • It offers options to sign up for a free account or download the app for various OS.

  2. Creating a Postman Account:

    • Navigate to the sign-up page via the Postman website.
    • Enter an email, choose a username, and set a password to create a free account.

Exploring the Postman GUI and Features

  • Dashboard Layout:

    • Header: Contains links to Home, Workspaces, API Network, Reports, Explore, and account settings.
    • Sidebar: Navigational area where collections, APIs, environments, etc., are located.
    • Builder Area: Central area where you create and view requests and responses.
    • Status Bar: Located at the bottom, shows the status and additional settings and options.

  • Functionality:

    • Workspaces: Create and manage different environments for various projects.
    • Settings: Customize requests, responses, timeouts, themes, and more.

  • Search and Navigation:

    • Use the search box to find specific APIs or filters for targeted searches.

Downloading and Using Postman Locally

  • Options to download the application are available for Mac, Windows (including specific system architecture like 64-bit), and Linux.
  • Showcases how to check system specs on Windows to choose the correct download option.

Creating and Managing Workspaces

  • Create a new workspace directly from the dashboard to organize APIs, mock servers, and other resources.

Additional Notes

  • Version Compatibility: Postman can be used in-browser or downloaded to suit user preferences for platform independence.
  • Account Management: Options for upgrading, checking usage, and general account settings are available within the user profile.
  • Learning Resources: The Postman platform includes a help section with links to documentation, community support, and more detailed tutorials, which can be beneficial for new users.

These notes should help in getting a basic understanding of getting started with Postman and navigating through its primary features.

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