API Fundamentals Course
API Fundamentals
/
Intermediate

Automated API Testing

Definition

Writing scripts that programmatically send hundreds of HTTP requests to an API and assert that the responses match expected values, running automatically in CI/CD pipelines.

Explain Like I'm New

Instead of clicking 'Send' in Postman 50 times every morning, you write a script. The script boots up the server, hits all 50 endpoints in 2 seconds, and prints a green checkmark if they all work. If you break the code, the script instantly fails and yells at you.

Real World Example

Using Jest and Supertest in a Node.js project to write a test suite that automatically registers a user, logs them in, extracts the JWT, and verifies they can access a protected route.

Common Use Cases

  • •Regression testing
  • •CI/CD pipelines
  • •TDD

Interactive Example

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Interview Questions

basic

  • What is a 'Regression' in software development?

intermediate

  • Why do automated API tests usually use a separate 'Test Database' instead of the development database?

Flash Cards

Question

What is a Regression?

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Answer

When you write new code that accidentally breaks an old feature that used to work perfectly. Automated tests catch regressions instantly.

Question

Why Test Database?

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Answer

Because automated tests constantly create and delete fake data. If you ran tests on your development database, your database would be polluted with thousands of fake 'testUser123' accounts.