September 12, 2023
Most of the web apps we use have a client-server architecture. The app itself is a client (frontend), and you need it to communicate with a server (backend) to transfer data. This communication is possible using HTTP requests since the client sends HTTP requests to the server.
Here is where REST APIs show up.
In simple words, a REST API (REST stands for “representational state transfer”) is a set of regulations on how the communication between a client and a server must be realized. REST APIs contribute to the seamless communication between different services.
Every server has endpoints that look outside. When a client communicates with a server, it happens via the endpoints. A REST API works like a CRUD when working with a database located on the server. Here are the steps:
REST APIs represent a flexible and scalable way of integrating one web service with another one. Since REST APIs are standardized, you don’t have to format your data in any specific way.
The use of REST APIs has several essential advantages. Among them are:
Despite all the advantages RESTful web services have, it’s still important to make sure they are not vulnerable. Manual API testing is too complex and time-consuming. Below, we've compiled the list of the best and most commonly used API testing clients to look into to test your REST API in 2022.
HTTPie is an API testing client in Python. It’s tailored for REST APIs testing and debugging. HTTPie makes the communication with HTTP servers, REST APIs, and web services seamless. You don’t need to have any specific skills to start using HTTPie.
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Postman REST Client is an API testing platform for sending requests, viewing and inspecting responses, debugging REST APIs, etc. This API testing tool allows you to send HTTP requests to a development server.
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Curl is an Open Source command-line tool used to transfer data with URLs to/from a server. You can use curl to send HTTP POST, PUT, and DELETE requests to a development server, and test your REST API.
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Swagger is an Open Source API development, design, and testing platform for different team sizes. Swagger uses the OpenAPI Specification – the industry standard for designing REST APIs.
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Katalon Studio is an all-in-one solution aimed at automating web, API, mobile, and desktop testing. It allows you to create and send HTTP requests to a development server.
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SoapUI is an API testing tool aimed at making it possible for you to achieve a better API quality. It allows you to easily create and perform REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and other web services testing.
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REST-assured is an Open Source tool to test REST APIs in Java. The tool is especially loved by Java developers who can test web services easily and fast via it.
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Apigee is an API testing tool used for designing, measuring performance, and scaling REST APIs. This testing platform offers can help you ensure seamless digital experiences for back-end services and serverless stacks.
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The quantity of APIs is rising together with the vulnerabilities that can damage cloud services. That’s why regular REST API testing is vital to ensure a proper security level.
In addition to the traditional API testing tools, low-code platforms have already joined the game. They allow even non-tech people to create API tests visually to test the functionality you need. Adopting continuous API testing is a good practice to be able to detect API errors before someone else outside your team does it.
Thanks to low-code, API testing is not something only developers and professional QAs can cope with. More people in your company can now take part in REST API testing process, thus relieving your development team from the need to distract from more critical tasks that add value to your business.