testing web apps and apis (1)

TESTING WEB APPs & APIs

Aaron [email protected]@fijiaaron1-844-AUTOM87

mailto:[email protected]


Testing Web Apps and APIsWeb App

StateBehaviorUser Interface

Web API

StatelessHTTP / REST interface


Modern vs TraditionalWhat are the differences between “modern” web applications and more traditional applications?

What are the challenges we face testing modern web apps?

What can we do to make it easier?


Modern web applicationsResponsive layout

Various screens sizes and formats (mobile, tablet, desktop)

Reactive user interfaceClient side rendering. DOM manipulation

Web servicesCommunicates via AJAX to RESTful APIs

Cloud infrastructureDeployed as independent containers


ChallengesUI

Layout, application state, testing independent of services

APINo user interface, versioning, no shared state

Data SourcesRelational databases, noSQL, search, external web services

Cloud infrastructure Provisioning, configuration, intercommunication, security


SolutionsSeparation of concerns

Test the UI without the back end

Test the back end without the UI

Test deployments without either the front or back end

Environments that can be swapped out or rolled back seamlessly


The Front EndHTMLCSSJavaScriptMobile appsSingle page appsDevicesBrowsersFrameworks


UI TestingStill necessary, but not the only (or even primary) way to test

Weaknesses:Slow, brittle, too many interfaces (devices, browsers, etc.)

Useful for:End to end teststesting user experienceverifying requirementsVisual testing


The Back EndNode.js, Express, Koa, Ruby on Rails, Java, PHP, Go, .NETetc.

RESTMicroservicesRelational & NoSQL data stores (MongoDB, Redis, CouchDB, Elasticsearch, etc.)

External services (payment processing, authorization, etc.)


Testing web APIsFaster, less error prone

No user interface

Focus on:Functionality of individual serviceIntegration of servicesSmoke test entire system


Deployment testingContainers & VMs

Continuous integration & delivery

Ability to switch from test to production with the flip of a switch (DNS)


DEMOHart - medical information software


DEMO: UI TestingTest as a user through the browser.

Manually, then automate.

Tools:Javascript Mocha (BDD test framework)Selenium (Webdriver.io)Sauce Labs (Cloud devices)


DEMO: API TestingTest via the REST API

Manually using Postman, then automate

Tools:Javascript Cucumber (BDD test framework)Postman (Google Chrome plugin)Unirest (HTTP library)


ConfidenceUse continuous integration to:

Run tests after every build

Run tests after deployment to every environment

Benefits:Quicker discovery of issuesMore time for manual exploratory testingRelease changes on demand

Roll back production issues immediately

Thanks.

Aaron [email protected]@fijiaaron1-844-AUTOM87

mailto:[email protected]

testing web apps and apis (1)

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