API Automation over the Web Automation
Deciding the testing automation strategy is very important and is one of the factors which can be game changers for you when executing test cases within the CI/CD pipeline. It can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process.
Understanding the appropriate cases for choosing API automation or Web automation is crucial. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of selecting API automation over web automation and provide insights into the specific cases where this choice proves advantageous.
Consider a scenario where web automation test cases are automatically triggered whenever a developer pushes new code, but the execution time spans 1–2 hours. Now, an important question arises: Is it acceptable to wait for 1–2 hours for a minor bug fix as well?
If a developer pushes a bug and it requires considerable time for the web automation test cases to run before proceeding to production. Is this an ideal situation? Is there room for improvement?
The answer is Absolutely Yes. Following the testing Pyramid principle, it is recommended to prioritize the automation of API test cases over web test cases.
Below are some of the factors that indicate a stronger inclination toward prioritizing API automation over web testing:
Execution time is much faster in API
API automation involves interacting directly with the backend APIs of an application, bypassing the user interface, and focusing totally on the core functionality.
This direct interaction allows for faster execution times as it eliminates the rendering and processing delays that are there in web automation.
Example
Consider a scenario where you have a suite of 300 test cases that need to be executed for an application. You have both API automation and web automation test suites available to validate the functionality of the application.
When executing the API automation test suite, the execution time for all 300 test cases is around 5–10 minutes which includes sending API requests, receiving responses, and performing validations.
On the other hand, when executing the web automation test suite for the same set of 300 test cases, the execution time is significantly longer, taking up to 1 hour. The web automation tests simulate actions like clicking, typing, and submitting forms, which involve rendering and processing delays.
Less Maintenance
In API Automation, the advantage is that you do not have to worry about changing locators. If a DOM element undergoes modifications, it doesn’t affect API tests. As long as the API functionality remains intact, you can have confidence that the testing is accurately conducted.
Example
You have a web automation script for the login page but as the project progresses, a new requirement arises, which requires a complete redesign of the login page, resulting in changes to the HTML structure and the locators used by the web automation tests.
In this case, the changes to the locators would require updating the test scripts to ensure they can identify and interact with the new elements correctly. This can be time-consuming.
However, in API automation, the test scripts are not dependent on the specific locators used in the user interface. As long as the API functionality for user authentication remains intact, the API tests can continue to function accurately without modifications
Less Dependency
When it comes to integration testing, there is no need to be concerned about the readiness of third-party systems. You can easily mock them within the API test cases.
Example
You are testing an e-commerce application that integrates with a payment gateway for processing transactions. The payment gateway is a third-party system that you do not have control over, and its availability might be limited during your testing phase. However, you need to verify that your application correctly handles payment transactions and responds appropriately.
Using API automation, you can create integration test cases that mock the behavior of the payment gateway. Instead of making actual requests to the live payment gateway, you can simulate the responses and behaviors that you expect from the payment gateway within your API tests.
Ease of Test Data Creation
In API automation, you can directly make API calls to create test data by sending requests to the relevant endpoints whereas, In Web Automation, you interact with the application’s user interface to create test data.
Example
In Web Automation, You fill out forms, click buttons, select options, and simulate user actions to generate the desired test data but In API automation, you can use endpoints directly to create the test data which is very less time-consuming.
Cross-platform Compatibility
API automation offers the advantage of cross-platform compatibility, allowing tests to be executed across various platforms, operating systems, and programming languages whereas, In web automation, it is tied to specific web browsers or operating systems.
With API automation, tests can be run on various operating systems such as Windows, macOS, or Linux, without requiring specific configurations or dependencies related to the operating system. This flexibility simplifies the test execution process and ensures compatibility across different environments.
APIs can be executed on different platforms without the need for modifications. Whether it’s Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile platforms, as long as the APIs are accessible, API tests can be performed consistently across all platforms but in Web Automation, You need to have it locally to perform web automation
Example
There is an E-Commerce application where users can add products to the shopping cart and make a payment. In this case, the web application relies on backend APIs to fetch and display the data.
To ensure the reliability and compatibility of the APIs across different platforms, you should implement API automation tests.
Conclusion
The choice between an API-first or web-first approach can significantly impact the design, functionality, and efficiency of your application. Both approaches have their merits and considerations, and understanding their benefits and trade-offs is crucial for making informed.
API automation is well suited for validating the functionality where the control is more in the backend. On the other hand, web automation is preferable when focusing on front-end logic, user interface interactions, and cross-browser testing.
As per the testing pyramid as well, it is recommended to prioritize API automation over web automation.
Thanks for reading. Happy Learning — AB!
Thanks, Naveen AutomationLabs for the guidance and support.
