Challenges in API testing & Best Practices to Overcome API Testing Challenges

   Challenges in API testing:

1. Selecting and Integrating GUI/API Framework:
   
   
   Solution: Always aim to work in the same language in which the application has been built. Also, opt for framework that offers support for GUI tests to allow for better integration and streamlined testing. By adhering to these two guidelines we will improve communication between development and testing teams and expedite release. Define the scope and makeup of the testing framework: Ideally, the selected framework will support GUI tests, as this will allow for easy integration between both GUI and API functions. The ideal framework will also incorporate API libraries, reporting tools, and build management tools
2. Selecting Data Structure for Handling Requests/Responses:
   
   
   Solution: Requests/responses during testing are best handled using data structures, as they provide a firm level of control on the overall flow of our test scenarios. Select test scenarios that mirror actual usage and can be successfully executed within the active time of the API function.
3. Handling Timeouts and Other Errors During Testing:
   
   
   Solution: Timeouts and other various errors may become apparent during execution. These are most effectively dealt with using an exception-handling mechanism.Splitting our test data into dynamic and static states will assist in proper management of the scripts that have been developed. For example, anauthorization token would be a dynamic parameter, whereas a developer key would be a static parameter. Once split, these can be used alongside other test data.
4. Setting up testing environment for API testing seems little complex, Database and server should be configured as per the application requirements, Once installation is done, API Function should be called to check whether that API is working.
5. Main challenges in API testing is Parameter Combination, Parameter Selection, and Call Sequencing
6. There is no GUI available to test the application which makes difficult to give input values
7. Validating and Verifying the output in different system is little difficult for testers
8. Parameters selection and categorization required to be known to the testers
9. Exception handling function needs to be tested
10. Coding knowledge is necessary for testers

Best Practices to Overcome API Testing Challenges

1. Test for Expected Usage: It is not feasible to test all possible scenarios, hence testing scenarios should replicate most likely usage. An example scenario would be one that involves interaction between several different modules of the application.
2. Adopt Appropriate Test Techniques: To ensure efficient code coverage and to maximize the effect of our testing cycle, our API testing team should utilize techniques such as equivalence classes, boundary value analysis, and error guessing. Selected parameters should test functionality.