Building API Core Components | Test Automation Framework Development | Part IX

About the Video

Watch this video to learn how to create and integrate API core components into your test automation framework.

Join 𝑨𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒗 (@𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒏), Co-founder & CTO of Automate The Planet Ltd, in Part 9 of the Advanced Test Automation Framework Development series! 🎥In this module, Anton explains how to build strong API components for your test automation framework. He further dives deep into creating effective API testing strategies, using web API calls for test data setup, and applying advanced design patterns like repositories, factories, and builders.

Anton also shows how to use REST Sharp and other tools to dynamically create, manage, and clean up test data while adding features like BDD logging, toast messages, and custom event handling for better debugging and easier maintenance.

By the end of this tutorial, you'll have the skills and tools to create a flexible API integration layer that boosts the efficiency and reliability of your test automation work.

Video Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:48 API Testing Overview

12:43 API Testing Libraries Overview

16:15 API Project Overview

23:20 API Client Adapter Implementation

30:29 API Assertions

34:15 API Plugins & BDD Logging

42:20 API Integration with Web & Toast Messages

45:30 Factories, Repositories & API Client Adapter

55:20 LambdaTest API Clients Generation

1:02:43 Closing Words

Key Topics Covered

Introduction to API Testing and Its Importance

Discusses what API testing is and why it's crucial in modern applications. The focus is on evaluating the functionality, performance, and security of APIs to ensure they work as intended across various systems.

Modular API Core Project Structure

Highlights how the project is organized into modular components like adapters and plugins. This structure separates core functions, making the system flexible and easier to maintain as each component can be modified independently.

Test Data Management Using APIs

Explains how APIs are used for efficient test data preparation, insertion, and deletion. By automating test data management, the framework reduces reliance on UI-based data creation, making the testing process faster and more reliable.

Advanced Design Patterns for API Testing

Discusses the application of advanced design patterns like Factory, Repository, and Builder to streamline API request handling and test data management. These patterns make the framework adaptable and scalable by abstracting complex logic.

Use of Adapters for API Requests

Introduces the concept of an API client adapter that enhances the base RestSharp client. This adapter adds features like logging, retries, and execution time measurements, enabling more detailed tracking and troubleshooting of API requests.

Event-Driven Plugin Architecture Discusses how to separate components and design events to handle various troubleshooting tasks efficiently. This modular approach ensures that each task, such as logging or retries, is handled separately, making the framework easier to maintain.

Integration with Web and Mobile Automation Frameworks

Explains how API components are integrated into a unified testing framework, supporting web and mobile tests. This integration allows for efficient data management across different platforms and simplifies cross-system interactions.

Custom Plugins for Logging and Monitoring

Demonstrates how plugins are used to log API requests and responses, enabling detailed monitoring of test execution. BDD-style logging provides transparency into each step, making it easier to trace issues during test failures.

Retry Mechanism for Failed API Requests

Describes the implementation of a retry mechanism for API requests, ensuring that transient failures (like network issues) do not cause tests to fail unnecessarily. This feature adds robustness to the framework by allowing multiple attempts to complete a request.

API Security and Authentication

Discusses how the framework handles different authentication methods, such as OAuth and Basic Authentication, ensuring secure access to APIs. The design includes mechanisms to securely store and use tokens, reducing security risks during testing.

Generating API Clients Using Swagger/OpenAPI

Introduces the use of Swagger (OpenAPI) to generate API client code automatically. This significantly reduces manual coding efforts, ensuring consistency and accuracy in how APIs are integrated into the framework.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Concludes by summarizing how the modular API testing framework supports scalable test automation. The video teases the next module, which will cover third-party integrations to enhance the framework’s capabilities.

Related Blogs & Hubs

Top 21 API Testing Tools Everyone Should Know in 2024

What Is API Testing: Guide With Examples