Postman - Detailed Review

1. What are the key features of Postman for API testing?

Postman offers a wide range of features that cover all aspects of API testing. These include automated testing, where you can write test scripts in JavaScript to automate your API tests; collaboration tools that allow teams to share collections, environments, and test results; environment management to easily manage different environments like development, staging, and production; mock servers to simulate API responses without needing the actual backend; and continuous integration to integrate Postman tests into your CI/CD pipelines using Newman.

2. How do I set up automated tests in Postman?

To set up automated tests in Postman, start by selecting the “Scripts” tab within your API request and choosing the “Post-response” option. Here, you can write JavaScript code using Postman’s `pm` object to perform various checks on the API response. Save your requests with tests into a collection, then use the Collection Runner to execute these tests. You can configure settings like environment and number of iterations before running the tests.

3. What are the different pricing plans offered by Postman?

Postman has several pricing plans. The Basic plan, priced at $14, includes features like unlimited collaboration, collection recovery for 30 days, 1 custom domain, 10,000 calls to Postman API, and 10 integrations. The Professional plan, at $29, adds more features such as collections and workspace-based roles, single sign-on, 250 Collection Runs, and more. The Enterprise plan is customized based on the business needs and includes advanced features like API Builder, private API Network, API Governance, and extensive support.

4. What is Postman Monitor and how does it work?

Postman Monitor is a service that helps you stay in sync with the health and performance of your APIs. It uses collection runners to run every request in the collection and analyze the values mentioned in the test scripts. Monitors validate and monitor the responses based on these test scripts and generate reports that can be shared with developers via email or alerts in platforms like Slack or HipChat.

5. What are the essential API testing techniques supported by Postman?

Postman supports several essential API testing techniques, including end-to-end testing, regression testing, integration testing, contract testing, and performance testing. End-to-end testing validates complete workflows involving multiple endpoints, while regression testing ensures the API operates as expected after updates. Integration testing checks how different components interact, contract testing verifies API contracts, and performance testing evaluates the API’s performance under various conditions.

6. How does Postman facilitate collaboration among team members?

Postman facilitates collaboration by allowing teams to share collections, environments, and test results. The platform supports unlimited collaboration for plan members, even in the Basic pricing plan. Additionally, features like workspace-based roles and single sign-on in the Professional plan enhance collaboration and access management.

7. What is the purpose of mock servers in Postman?

Mock servers in Postman are used to simulate API responses without the need for the actual backend. This allows developers to test their applications in a controlled environment, ensuring that the frontend and backend interactions work as expected before the actual API is ready.

8. How can I integrate Postman tests into my CI/CD pipelines?

You can integrate Postman tests into your CI/CD pipelines using Newman, a command-line collection runner for Postman. This allows you to automate the execution of your API tests as part of your continuous integration and continuous deployment processes.

9. What is the binary form in POST methods in Postman?

The binary form in POST methods is used to send data in a format that cannot be entered manually, such as large files like images or CSV files. This option allows you to send complex data with the request in a binary representation, which is the easiest format for such data.

10. What is included in Postman’s free plan?

While the specific details of Postman’s free plan are not extensively outlined in the sources, it generally includes basic features such as the ability to send requests, write tests, and manage collections, but with limited collaboration and integration capabilities compared to the paid plans. For precise details, it is best to refer to Postman’s official website or contact their support.