Web Services Test Automation

Web Services Test Automation is a framework for the conversation between two applications or software or machines to exchange information with each other, irrespective of their underlying architecture and the technology. In other words, Web Services Test Automation solutions are the ones that not only aid in testing but also help in knowing whether a particular web application communicates efficiently and able to gather accurate information from the web. Also, it helps to understand how a specific web service is associated with the server and functions in different circumstances.

Why Web Service Test Automation is Required?

What do you think about why companies develop software applications? Generally, software applications are designed to be used by the users, where a user can request for any particular piece of information, and in turn, he'll get a response for his query in a human-readable format.

In this tech-savvy world, if you want to develop a software solution, then don't need to create each and every aspect from scratch. Nowadays, readymade web services are available, which you can directly plug into your web or mobile application to start delivering those services in your app.

For instance, if you want to develop a weather forecast website, then you don't need to assemble, process, and administer the data in your web or mobile application. You can buy the required readymade solutions and plug them into your application.

Web Service Test Automation - Types of Implementation

However, there are several ways to implement web services, but the below-written approaches are the most popular ones.

1. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)

SOAP refers to the Simple Object Access Protocol. It is a standard protocol interpreted by the W3C Standard, used to send and receive requests and responses for web services. Moreover, it uses XML formats for the sake of sending and receiving web service requests, and hence the data is independent of the platform that is used to transfer information. Apart from this, SOAP uses a simple HTTP transport protocol, and this is the reason the firewalls do not block its messages.

2. REST (Representational State Transfer architecture)

REST stands for Representational State Transfer; its structure generally runs over HTTP and features communications between clients and services. Basically, REST is an alternative approach for SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), and it uses a simple URL for requests rather than XML. Moreover, REST applications make use of HTTP build-in headers to relay meta-information.

Therefore, the implementation of web services establishes a stable connection between the two software applications. Also, you need to test your web services to test the service functionality and load features. Moreover, Web testing services help in detecting errors timely so that you don't need to spend your bucks over expensive and complicated repairs.

Significant Challenges for Web Service Test Automation

Shortage of assurance of dependability
Unsuitable provision of the client’s input parameters.
Malicious handlers can manipulate the different factors to extract unauthorized information
The unavailability of source code might be a difficulty for white-box testing

Web test automation is used by the QAs to test and identify whether a specific application connects effectively, and the functionalities are obtainable from the web. Additionally, it also helps in verifying whether the services match the terms of business philosophy and also deliver the expected output at the user’s end.

Tasks Included in Web Services Testing Process

Code generation for the web service (framework coding, test inputs, and customized web service which is being used).
Allocation of necessary test inputs, along with data and variables.
Implementation and generation of the web service using client or skeleton code.
Verify that the received response is similar to the expected one.

Web Services Testing Tools

If we talk about the web services testing tools, it includes ManageEngine, QEngine, SoapUI, TestMaker, WebInject toolsets, and more. All these tools are built on open-source tools/libraries/frameworks, and this is the reason, it decreases the overall costs and helps boost automation efficiency by reducing the initial coding work. Moreover, all the Web test automation tools mentioned above swiftly generate and execute automated functional, regression, compliance, and loading tests.

Subsequently, web services testing tools help to lessen dependency on technically proficient resources. In this tech-driven world, if you want to remain competitive, then you must require a more agile test cycle at a lower cost. So, what can make the job done here? Reusable test automation frameworks, along with open source tools and technologies, can be a perfect call to shorten test cycle time and related costs.