HTTP methods. Response codes. Endpoints. JSON. Request-response. Those are the most common buzzwords when we think about API testing. But it’s far from true and fully suited only to REST. According to the 2024 State of the API Report, there are currently 5 well-adopted API architectural styles: REST, Webhooks, GraphQL, SOAP, and WebSockets – all of them with over 25% of usage across companies around the globe. What’s most interesting, in recent years only REST and SOAP’s popularity slips down while others grow. Unfortunately, except for REST, we often miss the general knowledge about what the other API styles are about or even their existence. Let’s change that!

We’ll go through the key concepts of every API from a testing perspective. What’s important to verify, where to put more focus, and finally, where we don’t have to take care at all. One of the best examples is HTTP methods – the favorite question many recruiters ask about API testing. The only problem with this question – it’s almost not at all relevant to any protocol other than REST… Endpoints, response codes, and others can differ in very similar ways.

To properly structure our journey we’ll not only make an overview of web protocols. On the final station, we will visualize a comparison with all similarities and differences to keep our memories for longer. For simplicity purposes, we’ll use Postman.* Let’s create a diverse test framework that is ready to use and extend it on the next day!

*Coding should be always fun! To make it even more entertaining, we’ll use either Star Wars or Pokemon API, maybe you can also learn some interesting stuff about your favorite universe.

HTTP methods. Response codes. Endpoints. JSON. Request-response. Those are the most common buzzwords when we think about API testing. But it’s far from true and fully suited only to REST. According to the 2023 State of the API Report, there are currently 5 well-adopted API architectural styles: REST, Webhooks, GraphQL, SOAP, and WebSockets – all of them with over 25% of usage across companies around the globe. What’s most interesting, in recent years only REST and SOAP’s popularity slips down while others grow. Unfortunately, except for REST, we often miss the general knowledge about what the other API styles are about or even their existence. Let’s change that!

We’ll go through the key concepts of every API from a testing perspective. What’s important to verify, where to put more focus, and finally, where we don’t have to take care at all. One of the best examples is HTTP methods – the favorite question of many recruiters asking about API testing. The only problem with this question – it’s almost not at all relevant to any protocol other than REST… Endpoints, response codes, and others can differ in very similar ways.

To properly structure our journey we’ll not only make an overview of web protocols. On the final station, we will visualize a comparison with all similarities and differences to keep our memories for longer.

QA and Test Automation Manager as well as mentor and trainer. Tech freak following all the newest technologies (and implementing them on his own). Fan of the Agile approach to project management and products. Supporting companies in transformations toward better quality. Actively speaking and traveling around the world, sharing knowledge and experience. Lover of cats, ?  and  ?