Hi everyone! I hope everyone is doing fine. My name is Julian, and today we’re going to explore one of the most popular tools for API testing and development—Postman.
What is Postman?
Postman is a software application designed to simplify the process of working with APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).
Think of it as a virtual workspace where you can interact with APIs, test their functionality, and ensure they behave as expected.
Postman allows us to:
- Send HTTP requests like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.
- View and analyze responses from servers.
- Collaborate on API development with team members.
It’s widely used by developers, QA testers, and even business analysts who work with APIs.
Why is Postman Helpful?
Postman offers several benefits, making it a favorite tool for API testing:
- User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies making API requests without needing to write code.
- Time-Saving Features: You can save, organize, and reuse API requests.
- Collaboration: Share collections with team members for seamless teamwork.
When Do We Use Postman?
Postman is handy in several scenarios:
- API Testing: To validate API responses and ensure they meet requirements.
- Debugging: When you need to identify why an API isn’t working as expected.
- Learning APIs: Quickly explore the functionalities of a new API.
- Backend Development: To test endpoints during development.
Let’s take a look at how we can work with postman –
You can install postman from the following website and have either a desktop version or you can also use a web client for it .
Let’s take a look at how we can make requests in postman.
-Collection making
Making a GET Request in Postman
- Open Postman and click on “New Request”.
- Set the request method to GET.
- Enter the API URL, e.g., https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts.
- Click Send.
- Observe the response—typically, you’ll see data returned from the server in JSON format.
Making a POST Request in Postman
- Create a new request and set the method to POST.
- Enter the API URL, e.g., https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts.
- Go to the Body tab, select raw, and choose JSON as the format.
Add the data to send, for example:
json
Copy code
{
“title”: “Postman Tutorial”,
“body”: “This is a demo POST request.”,
“userId”: 1
}
- Click Send.
- The server should respond with a confirmation, often including the data you just sent.
Exporting Requests in Postman
Postman lets you export requests to share with others or to maintain backups. Here’s how:
- Go to your collection or individual request.
- Click the three dots next to the collection/request name.
- Select Export.
- Choose the format (Postman Collection v2.1 is standard).
- Save the file to your system.
You can now share this file, and others can import it into their Postman workspace.
Conclusion
Postman is an important tool for anyone working with APIs. Its simplicity, flexibility, and robust features make testing and development smoother. Whether you’re debugging, exploring, or collaborating, Postman ensures you stay efficient and organized.
I hope this session gives you a clear understanding of Postman. Feel free to try it out and explore its vast capabilities.
Thank you for watching, and I’ll see you in the next session!
