API test automation concepts in Testing Fundamentals - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is API test automation?

API test automation means using software tools to automatically check if an API works correctly without needing to do it by hand. It saves time and finds problems faster.

beginner

Name a common tool used for API test automation.

Postman and REST Assured are popular tools for API test automation. They help send requests and check responses automatically.

beginner

Why do we use assertions in API test automation?

Assertions check if the API response matches what we expect, like the right status code or data. If it doesn’t match, the test fails and shows a problem.

beginner

What is a test case in API automation?

A test case is a set of steps to check one part of the API, like sending a request and checking the response. It helps make sure the API works as expected.

beginner

How does API test automation help in real projects?

It runs many tests quickly and often, catching bugs early. This helps teams deliver better software faster and with less manual work.

What does API test automation primarily do?

A Manually tests the user interface

B Automatically checks if an API works correctly

C Creates API documentation

D Deploys the API to servers

API test automation runs tests automatically to verify API functionality.

Which of these is a common API test automation tool?

A Postman

B Photoshop

C Excel

D Slack

Postman is widely used for API testing and automation.

What is the purpose of assertions in API tests?

A To check if the API response is as expected

B To design the API layout

C To write API documentation

D To deploy the API

Assertions verify that the API response matches expected results.

What does a test case in API automation include?

A Marketing plan for the API

B User interface design steps

C Server configuration details

D Steps to send a request and check the response

A test case defines how to test a specific API function by sending requests and checking responses.

How does API test automation benefit software teams?

A Creates user manuals automatically

B Replaces all manual testing

C Runs tests quickly and finds bugs early

D Writes code for new features

Automation speeds up testing and helps catch problems sooner.

Explain what API test automation is and why it is useful.

Think about how machines can help test software without human effort.

Describe the role of assertions in API test automation.

Assertions are like checkpoints in your test.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of API test automation?

easy

A. To design the user interface of an application

B. To check if different software parts communicate correctly

C. To write code for the backend server

D. To create database schemas

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand API test automation goal

   API test automation focuses on verifying communication between software parts via APIs.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated options

   Designing UI, writing backend code, and creating database schemas are not related to API test automation.

3. Final Answer:

   To check if different software parts communicate correctly -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   API test automation = communication check [OK]

Hint: API tests check communication, not UI or database [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing API testing with UI testing
• Thinking API tests create backend code
• Mixing API testing with database design

2. Which of the following is the correct way to check the HTTP status code in an automated API test using Python's requests library?

easy

A. response.code == 200

B. response.status == 200

C. response.status_code == 200

D. response.statusCode == 200

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Python requests response attribute

   The correct attribute to get HTTP status code is status_code.

2. Step 2: Match options with correct attribute

   Only response.status_code == 200 uses the correct attribute and syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   response.status_code == 200 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   requests status code = status_code [OK]

Hint: Use response.status_code to check HTTP status in Python [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using incorrect attribute names like status or code
• Confusing camelCase with snake_case
• Forgetting double equals for comparison

3. Given this Python code snippet for an API test:

import requests
response = requests.get('https://api.example.com/data')
print(response.json()['status'])

What will be the output if the API response JSON is {"status": "success", "data": []}?

medium

A. "success"

B. KeyError

C. {'status': 'success'}

D. success

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand response.json() output

   response.json() returns a Python dictionary parsed from JSON.

2. Step 2: Access the 'status' key value

   Accessing ['status'] returns the string "success" without quotes in print output.

3. Final Answer:

   success -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Print dict value = string without quotes [OK]

Hint: Print of string value shows without quotes in Python [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting quotes around printed string
• Confusing JSON string with Python print output
• Assuming KeyError without checking keys

4. You wrote this API test code snippet:

response = requests.post('https://api.example.com/login', data={'user': 'admin', 'pass': '1234'})
assert response.status_code = 200

What is the error and how to fix it?

medium

A. Use '==' for comparison in assert, not '='

B. Change 'data' to 'json' in requests.post() call

C. Use 'response.status' instead of 'response.status_code'

D. Add parentheses around assert condition

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify syntax error in assert statement

   The assert statement uses '=' which is assignment, not comparison.

2. Step 2: Correct assert syntax

   Replace '=' with '==' to compare response.status_code to 200.

3. Final Answer:

   Use '==' for comparison in assert, not '=' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Assert needs '==' for comparison [OK]

Hint: Assert uses '==' to compare, '=' assigns [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using '=' instead of '==' in assert
• Confusing 'data' and 'json' parameters (not error here)
• Using wrong attribute like response.status

5. You want to automate testing an API that returns a list of users with their ages. You need to verify the API only returns users aged 18 or older. Which approach best fits this requirement?

hard

A. Send a GET request, parse JSON response, then assert all ages >= 18

B. Send a POST request with age filter, then check status code 200

C. Check only the first user's age in the response

D. Verify the response content type is 'text/html'

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand requirement to verify all users' ages

   We must check every user's age is 18 or older in the response data.

2. Step 2: Choose approach that parses response and asserts condition on all users

   Sending GET, parsing JSON, and asserting all ages >= 18 matches the need.

3. Final Answer:

   Send a GET request, parse JSON response, then assert all ages >= 18 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Check all data items for condition [OK]

Hint: Check all items, not just one, for correct data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Checking only first user age
• Using wrong HTTP method for retrieval
• Verifying wrong response content type