Flow creation in Postman - Test Execution Trace

Test Overview

This test creates a simple API request flow in Postman and verifies the response status code is 200 OK.

Test Code - Postman

Postman

pm.test('Status code is 200', function () {
    pm.response.to.have.status(200);
});

Execution Trace - 4 Steps

Step	Action	System State	Assertion	Result
1	Test starts in Postman	Postman app is open with the API request ready	—	PASS
2	Send API request to the server	Postman sends HTTP request to the specified endpoint	—	PASS
3	Receive response from server	Postman receives HTTP response with status code and body	—	PASS
4	Run test script to check status code	Postman executes test script in Tests tab	Verify response status code equals 200	PASS

Failure Scenario

Failing Condition: Response status code is not 200

Execution Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the test script in Postman verify?

A Response status code is 200

B Response body contains JSON

C Request headers are correct

D Response time is less than 1 second

Key Result

Always verify the response status code in your API tests to ensure the server responded as expected before checking response content.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of creating a flow in Postman?

easy

A. To automate API tests by chaining multiple requests

B. To write SQL queries inside Postman

C. To design user interfaces for APIs

D. To create database backups automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand flow creation in Postman

   Flow creation means linking API requests so they run one after another automatically.

2. Step 2: Identify the purpose of chaining requests

   Chaining helps automate tests by passing data between requests and checking responses.

3. Final Answer:

   To automate API tests by chaining multiple requests -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Flow creation = automate chained API tests [OK]

Hint: Flows chain requests to automate tests quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing flow creation with UI design
• Thinking flow creates database backups
• Assuming flow writes SQL queries

2. Which Postman script section is used to pass data from one request to the next in a flow?

easy

A. Pre-request Script

B. Headers

C. Tests

D. Body

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify where to save data after a request

   The Tests script runs after a request and can save response data to variables.

2. Step 2: Understand data passing in flows

   Saved variables from Tests can be used in the next request's Pre-request Script or URL.

3. Final Answer:

   Tests -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Data passing happens in Tests script [OK]

Hint: Use Tests to save data for next request [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Body to pass data between requests
• Confusing Pre-request Script as data saver
• Trying to pass data via Headers

3. Consider this Postman Tests script snippet:
pm.environment.set('token', pm.response.json().access_token);
What will be the value of token after this runs if the response JSON is {"access_token": "abc123"}?

medium

A. undefined

B. "abc123"

C. pm.response.json()

D. null

Solution

1. Step 1: Extract value from response JSON

   The code accesses the 'access_token' key from the JSON response, which is "abc123".

2. Step 2: Store value in environment variable

   pm.environment.set saves "abc123" as the value of 'token'.

3. Final Answer:

   "abc123" -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   token = "abc123" after set [OK]

Hint: pm.environment.set stores exact JSON key value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming token becomes undefined
• Confusing the whole JSON with the value
• Expecting null instead of actual token

4. You wrote this Pre-request Script to use a token saved in environment variables:
pm.request.headers.add({key: 'Authorization', value: 'Bearer ' + pm.environment.get('token')});
But the API returns 401 Unauthorized. What is the likely error?

medium

A. Bearer keyword should be lowercase 'bearer'

B. The header key should be lowercase 'authorization'

C. pm.request.headers.add is not valid syntax

D. The token variable is not set or is empty

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if token variable exists

   If 'token' is missing or empty, the Authorization header will be invalid.

2. Step 2: Verify header syntax and casing

   Header keys are case-insensitive, and 'Bearer' is case-sensitive but usually uppercase works fine.

3. Step 3: Confirm method usage

   pm.request.headers.add is valid to add headers dynamically.

4. Final Answer:

   The token variable is not set or is empty -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Missing token causes 401 Unauthorized [OK]

Hint: Check if token variable is set before request [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Changing header key case unnecessarily
• Lowercasing 'Bearer' keyword
• Thinking pm.request.headers.add is invalid

5. You want to create a flow where the first request logs in and saves a token, and the second request uses that token in its header. Which steps correctly describe this flow setup?

hard

A. In first request Tests, save token to environment; in second request Pre-request Script, add Authorization header using saved token

B. In first request Body, save token; in second request Tests, add Authorization header

C. In first request Headers, save token; in second request Body, add Authorization header

D. In first request Pre-request Script, save token; in second request Tests, add Authorization header

Solution

1. Step 1: Save token after login request

   Use Tests script in first request to extract token from response and save it to environment variables.

2. Step 2: Use token before second request

   In second request's Pre-request Script, read the saved token and add it to the Authorization header.

3. Final Answer:

   In first request Tests, save token to environment; in second request Pre-request Script, add Authorization header using saved token -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Save token in Tests, use in Pre-request Script [OK]

Hint: Save token in Tests, use in Pre-request Script for next request [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to save token in Body or Headers
• Adding header in Tests instead of Pre-request Script
• Saving token before request runs