Lab Task 11 – Develop Test Cases for
Simple APIs in the Language of Choice
Concept Notes
1. What is API Testing?
API Testing validates the business logic, data responses, and error handling of an
application’s backend.
Unlike UI testing, it directly interacts with the server endpoints using HTTP methods such
as GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH.
A typical API test checks:
Correct response codes (200, 201, 404 etc.)
Accurate response data
Proper request/response headers
Performance (latency and throughput)
2. Need for Automated API Testing
Manual testing (Postman) is useful for exploration, but automation ensures:
Faster feedback during CI/CD pipelines
Repeated testing after every build
Early bug detection before deployment
Automation is usually done using JUnit (Java), PyTest (Python), or Mocha/Chai
([Link]).
3. Test Case Design for APIs
Each API endpoint should have tests for:
Type Purpose Example
Positive Test Valid input returns correct output GET /api/users → 200 OK
Negative Test Invalid input handled gracefully GET /api/users/999 → 404
Validation Test Input format validation POST /api/login without password
Performance Test Response time check Response < 2 s
Security Test Auth token verification Access denied without token
4. Common Testing Frameworks
Language Framework Library/Tool
Java JUnit / TestNG RestAssured
Python PyTest Requests
JavaScript Mocha / Chai Supertest / Axios
5. Sample Test Case Structure
1. Setup: Define base URL and endpoints.
2. Action: Send HTTP request.
3. Assertion: Check response status and body.
4. Teardown: Close connections / cleanup if required.
Lab Exercise
Learning Objectives
Write automated test cases for APIs using a language of choice.
Validate HTTP responses, status codes, and payloads programmatically.
Integrate automated API tests into CI/CD pipelines.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Python, Java, or JavaScript.
Access to a working API endpoint (from Task 1 or Task 10).
Postman or local server running for API testing.
IDE (Pycharm, VS Code, Eclipse etc.) installed.
Instructions
Example in Python (PyTest + Requests)
1. Install dependencies:
2. pip install pytest requests
3. Create file: test_api.py
4. import requests
5.
6. BASE_URL = "[Link]
7.
8. def test_get_users():
9. response = [Link](f"{BASE_URL}/users")
10. assert response.status_code == 200
11. assert len([Link]()) > 0
12.
13. def test_create_post():
14. data = {"title": "API Test", "body": "Testing API via PyTest",
"userId": 1}
15. response = [Link](f"{BASE_URL}/posts", json=data)
16. assert response.status_code == 201
17. assert [Link]()["title"] == "API Test"
18. Run tests:
19. pytest -v
Example in Java (JUnit + RestAssured)
import [Link];
import [Link];
import static [Link].*;
import static [Link].*;
public class APITest {
@Test
public void testGetUsers() {
[Link]("[Link]
.then()
.statusCode(200)
.body("size()", greaterThan(0));
}
}
Compile and run tests using Maven or Gradle.
Assignment / Deliverables
Students must submit:
1. Source code for their API test cases (PyTest/JUnit/Mocha).
2. Screenshot of successful test execution (summary showing passed tests).
3. Short note (150 words) on how automated API testing helps ensure continuous
quality.
Expected Output
Test cases run successfully and validate HTTP responses.
Students understand assertion logic and test structure.
Demonstrate automated testing of REST APIs.
🎥 Recommended Video Lectures (≤ 15 minutes)
For Python (Python Requests + PyTest)
Video: API Testing with Python and PyTest in 10 Minutes (~10 min)
Moodle Intro Text:
Watch this 10-minute tutorial to see how API tests are written and executed using PyTest.
Learn assertions, status code validation, and response data checks.
After watching, implement two API tests on your own endpoint and run them locally.
For Java (RestAssured + JUnit)
Video: REST API Automation Testing using RestAssured & JUnit (12 Minutes) (~12 min)
Moodle Intro Text:
This video demonstrates writing JUnit test cases using RestAssured for REST APIs.
Observe how to validate status codes, responses, and JSON paths programmatically.
Recreate the example and share your results with screenshots.