Request methods and status codes in Testing Fundamentals - Build an Automation Script

Verify HTTP GET and POST request methods and status codes

Preconditions (2)

Step 1: Send a GET request to https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1

Step 2: Verify the response status code is 200

Step 3: Verify the response body contains a JSON object with an 'id' field equal to 1

Step 4: Send a POST request to https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts with JSON body {"title": "foo", "body": "bar", "userId": 1}

Step 5: Verify the response status code is 201

Step 6: Verify the response body contains a JSON object with a non-null 'id' field

✅ Expected Result: GET request returns status 200 and correct post data; POST request returns status 201 and new post id

Automation Requirements - pytest with requests library

Assertions Needed:

Assert response status codes are 200 for GET and 201 for POST

Assert response JSON contains expected fields and values

Best Practices:

Use requests library for HTTP calls

Use pytest assertions for validation

Separate test steps clearly

Handle exceptions if requests fail

Automated Solution

Testing Fundamentals

import requests
import pytest

def test_get_post_and_status_code():
    # Step 1: Send GET request
    get_response = requests.get('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1')
    # Step 2: Assert status code 200
    assert get_response.status_code == 200, f"Expected 200 but got {get_response.status_code}"
    # Step 3: Assert response JSON has id=1
    json_data = get_response.json()
    assert json_data.get('id') == 1, f"Expected id=1 but got {json_data.get('id')}"

    # Step 4: Send POST request
    post_payload = {"title": "foo", "body": "bar", "userId": 1}
    post_response = requests.post('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts', json=post_payload)
    # Step 5: Assert status code 201
    assert post_response.status_code == 201, f"Expected 201 but got {post_response.status_code}"
    # Step 6: Assert response JSON has non-null id
    post_json = post_response.json()
    assert post_json.get('id') is not None, "Expected non-null id in POST response"

This test uses the requests library to send HTTP requests.

First, it sends a GET request to fetch post with id 1 and checks the status code is 200, meaning success.

It then verifies the JSON response contains the expected id field with value 1.

Next, it sends a POST request with a JSON payload to create a new post.

The test asserts the POST response status code is 201, which means resource created successfully.

Finally, it checks the response JSON contains a non-null id field, indicating the new post was assigned an id.

Assertions include helpful messages for easier debugging.

This clear step-by-step approach helps beginners understand request methods and status codes practically.

Common Mistakes - 3 Pitfalls

Using incorrect HTTP method for the action

Not checking the response status code before accessing JSON

Hardcoding expected values without verifying API behavior

Bonus Challenge

Now add data-driven testing with 3 different POST payloads to verify creation with varied data

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