API Testing 8 : Bugs that can be found in API testing
In API testing, various types of bugs or issues can be identified. Here are some common categories of bugs that testers often encounter:
1. Input Validation issues :
APIs often fail to properly handle invalid or unexpected inputs, leading to errors or crashes.
Example: Entering letters in a field that expects numbers. API request with invalid input causing an error message
2. Outputs Validation issues : APIs may return inaccurate, incomplete, or inconsistent.API response with incorrect or invalid output data.
Example: A weather API returning a temperature in Fahrenheit when Celsius was requested.
3. Missing or Duplicate Functionality issues: APIs not performing as intended or performing redundant tasks.
→ Duplicate Functionality : Here Multiple endpoints will perform the same task or multiple endpoints give same response.
Example: Two endpoints for retrieving user information, /products and /get_products, both returning same data which can lead to confusion and potential maintenance issues.
→ Redundant code within a single endpoint : refers to unnecessary or repetitive code present in the implementation of a particular API endpoint. This redundancy can lead to various issues such as increased maintenance efforts, potential for introducing bugs, and reduced readability of the codebase.
→ Missing Functionality: When Endpoints not implemented properly as expetected then it will leads to missing functionality issue. Required functionality not covered by any endpoint.
Example: An API for managing products that lacks an endpoint for deleting products, forcing users to resort to workarounds or manual database operations.
4. Security Issues : Authentication and Authorization Issues like flaws in authentication or authorization mechanisms can allow unauthorized access or expose sensitive data. API authentication failure leads Security issues.
Example: A user gaining access to data without proper credentials.
5. Performance Issues : APIs may become slow or unresponsive under load, impacting user experience.
Slow response times: The API may take longer than expected to respond to requests.
Example: A social media API taking too long to load during peak hours.
6. Error Handling Issues : APIs may not provide clear or helpful error messages when issues arise. Inconsistent error messages comes when there is a lack of standardized and clear error messages.
→ Missing error handling: The API may not handle errors gracefully, leading to unexpected behaviors.
Example: A generic “500 Internal Server Error” message with no further details.
7. Compatibility Issues : APIs may not function correctly across different browsers, devices, or platforms.
→ Version compatibility issues: APIs may not be backward or forward compatible with different versions.
Example: An API working on desktop but not on mobile devices.
8. Scalability Issues : The API may not scale well and may experience issues with increased load.
Example : E-commerce Website on some Offer Sales it experiences a sudden surge in visitors leading to slow loading times, checkout errors, and even crashes.
9. Reliability Issues: APIs not being available or stable under certain conditions like
Server Downtime issue : Like Online product Ordeing API goes offline due to a server crash, preventing customers from placing orders.
Network Outages issue : like weather API becomes not accesible due to a network outage, leaving users without weather updates during a storm.
10. Documentation Issues (Usability Issues ) : Inaccurate or incomplete API documentation leading to misunderstanding and misuse.
→ Inconsistent naming conventions: Non-standard or confusing naming conventions in the API.
