We live in a digitally empowered era with powerful mobile and web-based applications allowing us to explore the world online. Applications have revolutionized industries across all sectors and fields to cater to the growing needs of people and provide instant access to their services. This has led to unprecedented, explosive growth in the field of Application Programming Interface (API) and testing. API services and API software tools have generated huge revenues and contribute to up to 50% of the revenue generated by companies during their fiscal years. API testing services involve the rigorous evaluation of applications to ensure bug-free and best user experience.
API Economy
API has led to the development of promising business models and standard practices revolving around the use of API to boost revenue and the digital economy. API bridges communication channels between the stored data and functioning interface to weave together the various layers of applications into an efficiency functioning ecosystem. The production, distribution, sale and usage of API systems across the global internet constitutes the API economy. We participate in the API economy by using simple web API’S to provide digital services across various systems.
The creation of user-centric applications powered by API supports business expansion and improves workforce effectiveness. Microservices in API have helped break down complex monolithic application interfaces into loosely coupled units that integrate to allow independent maintenance of these units. They allow for easy launching and upgrading of these individual units and create efficient systems maximizing the potential of applications.API calls make up 83% of all web traffic according to Akamai’s State of the Internet report. This shows the pervasive spread of API systems and their influence on web traffic.
API Tests
API tests appraise applications based on various parameters using different tests designed to identify inconsistencies in the working processes. They constitute the communication channels that bridge the different interfaces in the working systems and integrate the functioning processes between the front and back ends. API testing lets us identify issues in both business logic and service servers providing holistic insights about the functioning of API systems.
The absence of front end systems to test the overall working systems is a frequent issue faced by API designing teams. Proper evaluation and construction of API endpoints helps in smoother integration of the working systems to UI for good performance. Unit testing, functional testing and security testing are three significant modalities in standard testing procedures used by API testers in the vast array of tests conducted. Let’s get into the working of these tests to understand their influence on API economy and application appraisal.
- Unit Testing – Unit testing involves testing each module of the interface as and when it is ready by manual tests or automation. The major emphasis is on evaluating the independent working capacity of the modules in isolation, ensuring a robust module design. Automation testing is done by unit test codes or test scripts written by developers with the development teams monitoring the testing activity, making necessary changes. It is primarily done during the development phase of applications helping fix bugs early and save costs on future maintenance.
- Functional Testing – Functional testing validates the application’s ability to meet its functional objectives and specifications. It mainly focuses on testing mainline functions, basic usability, accessibility and error conditions. The premise of functional testing works on the proper understanding of functional requirements and computation of expected outcomes with selected test input values. It comprises tests like smoke testing, sanity testing, integration testing, user acceptance testing, black box testing and regression testing.
- Security Testing – Security testing helps uncover the vulnerabilities of a system and ensures protection of data and resources from possible intruders. It emphasizes the identification of potential weak points and loopholes of the system which might result in the exposure of sensitive and critical data. The major areas of focus are Network Security, System Software Security, Client-side Application security and Server-side Application Security. This creates a sense of trust and confidence in clients building reputation and attracting new customers.
Perks of API Economy
The true potential of API-driven economy lies in the sharing of the data structures with a broader perspective to non-software companies. The surge in digital innovations has led the traditional brands to realize the importance of flexibility and data access provided by API. Organizations design their API to provide an engaging experience combining branding and design-thinking principles to allow better digital positioning in the market.
The global Application Programming Interface management market size is expected to grow from 1.2 billion USD TO 5.1 billion by 2023, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 32.9%. Nearly 55% of companies use API to build B2B products with 36% for mobile products, 29% B2C products and 22% for IoT applications. The development of efficient API integrations with advanced capabilities takes an average of 14-16 days and companies are recruiting dedicated API teams to speed up the process. According to an online API directory, the number of web API’s have grown by 1000% this decade alone with the total registered Web API rising from 2000 to 20000.
The great advantage of shifting to APIs over old ways is that they can be adapted to use with different partners and different cases. It allows the sharing of data to run internal processes to collaborate with third-party applications removing the need to rebuild the framework of the API for new partnerships.
API testing has paved the way for the development of bug-free efficient applications to enrich user experiences. Individual component and overall application maintenance are handled by assigned teams allowing the seamless launching and updating of new features and maintenance of the existing application. They help in aligning the business interests of organizations positioning them to gain an edge in competitive markets. API services and API software tools have generated huge revenues and contribute to up to 26-50% of the revenue generated by companies during their fiscal years. Learn more about API testing and explore the potential of this highly profitable digital sector.
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