Property developers spend a lot of time and money on their properties. They spend hours upon hours researching, planning, and building their homes. Because of this, they often have a high level of test coverage for their code. With increasing test coverage, developers can be more confident that their software works as expected before moving on to the next step in the construction process. Of course, not all tests are created equal. Some are great at identifying bugs and ensuring that features work as expected. Other tests may be great at identifying potential security flaws but not so great when it comes to testing functionality. A developer’s API should be no different than any other part of the software development life cycle. To keep moving forward and stay competitive in today’s job market, you need to ensure that your API is as testable as your other software developments.
What constitutes a property test?
A property test is a test that addresses the functionality of a single feature or area of functionality in an application. For example, a single-family home may have a property test for the downstairs area, but an apartment complex may have a property test for every apartment in the building. To be considered an API test, the feature should address at least one aspect of the overall functionality of the application.
How to write API tests
An API test starts by identifying the functionality you want to test. API testing tools will allow you to create test scenarios that cover a wide range of functionality. API testing tools also enable you to create custom scenarios and test cases that cover your unique environment.These tools are called API validators and they are critical tools for API testing.
Identify the functionality you want to test
Once you’ve identified the functionality you want to test, it’s time to figure out what inputs and outputs are required to test that functionality. You can do this by conducting a “cold” test or by getting help from an integration team. Cold testing is testing without any connections to a system or device. For example, you can run cold API tests across a mock server or browser. Help to test is when you have an integration team test your API against real data instead of doing it by hand. You can also get help with API validation issues by joining the API test group or the API development team in your area.
Determine the problem(s) you want to address
Once you know what inputs and outputs are required to test your API, it’s time to focus on finding the problem that you want to solve. You can do this by running code that tests specific functions and checking that those functions return correct data. For example, if you want to know if the downstairs bathroom is functional, you can test that the downstairs bathroom door opens and closes as expected. You can also include side effects so that your test cases include functionality that may not be needed but is good practice nonetheless. Side effects are optional but are helpful when you are writing automated tests.
Hook up your API to a system or device
Once you have the functionality under test, it’s time to connect your API to a system or device. You can do this with Web API hacks or integrations. A Web API hack is an automation feature that lets you connect your API to your website. These hacks are typically written in JavaScript and can be integrated with your API test tools. System integration is when you connect your API to a system like a CRM or accounting system. This can be very useful for monitoring progress on the property. You can connect your API to a system or device by using an integration such as interval time series, a dataflow product, or a custom tool.
Scripting and automation with API tests
Writing automated tests is essential to quality assurance and bug fixing. Automating your test cases can reduce the amount of time spent on manual testing. In addition, automated tests can help you identify potential security issues early on. A malicious user may try to access a protected page using an unsecured API. Automated tests can help you detect potential security issues early on.
Conclusion
A great deal of time and money is spent building and testing out properties. A common complaint among property developers is that they have a high level of test coverage for their code, but still have bugs to find. With increased test coverage, developers can be more confident that their software works as expected before moving on to the next step in the construction process. About the Author, Jesse M. Lo is a software engineer and the author of Property Developer’s Guide to Writing Great APIs. Lo is a frequent speaker at developer events and has presented on the subject of API testing. He is also a property developer and has been involved in the development of several real-world APIs. To learn more about API testing, watch the following videos:
Videos
– Creating a Simple API Test – Identifying the Functionality You Want to be Tested – Hooking Up Your API to a System or Device – Scripting and Automation with API Tests – Conclusion – Summary An API is nothing more than a set of instructions that allows two parties to communicate. An API can be as simple as a URL or as complex as a data-driven web service. APIs can be used to request data and instructions from other applications or websites, as well as integrate with external applications or systems. It’s important to remember that an API isn’t a product: it’s an instruction set. The same goes for the other development activities in the software development life cycle: design, architecture, code, etc. Each stage of the cycle has its own set of activities, each with its inherent risks and benefits.
