For those who test systems dependent on them, APIs and web services pose challenges, especially regarding test environments. But analytical testing (the best kind) of them is relatively easy, because their providers should supply testable specifications defining what their customer systems can expect.
Those testing the systems providing that face greater challenges. They cannot specify the unexpected inputs they will receive nor their volume. Their testing, analytical and empirical, must be extensive, ongoing, adapting and effective when real unexpected input occurs and must be dealt with. That means its results must be acted upon immediately. Hence the term: TestDevOps. A forthcoming issue of PT will explore this endeavour in detail.
Smartbear Software recently announced its integrated toolset designed to support it: API Complete includes the latest versions of established products soapUI, loadUI and API Monitoring. For full details visit http://smartbear.com
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