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Can Postman Be Used To Test Soap Services

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Can Postman Be Used to Test SOAP Services?

While Postman is primarily known for testing REST APIs, it’s also capable of testing SOAP services, albeit with a few extra steps and configurations. This guide will walk you through the process of testing SOAP services with Postman, providing practical examples and step-by-step instructions.

Understanding SOAP and Postman

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a messaging protocol that uses XML to exchange data between applications. It relies on predefined structures and standardized headers for communication.

Postman, on the other hand, is an API testing tool that uses a graphical interface to send HTTP requests and analyze responses. It offers a wide range of features, including request composition, environment variables, collections, and test scripts.

Setting Up Postman for SOAP Testing

1. Install the SOAP Client Plugin:

Postman doesn’t inherently support SOAP. You need to install a plugin that enables SOAP functionality. One popular option is the SOAP Client plugin.

  • Open Postman and navigate to the “Manage Add-ons” section (usually found under the three dots menu).
  • Search for “SOAP Client” and install the plugin.

2. Create a New Request:

Once installed, you can create a new request to test your SOAP service.

  • Click on “New” to create a new request.
  • Select the “SOAP Client” tab in the request window.

Testing a SOAP Service

1. Enter the Endpoint URL:

  • In the “SOAP Endpoint” field, enter the URL of your SOAP service.

2. Select the Action:

  • Most SOAP services offer several actions or operations. Select the specific action you want to test from the dropdown menu.

3. Define the Request Body:

- Using Request Builder:

Use Postman’s built-in request builder to construct your XML payload based on the SOAP service’s WSDL (Web Services Description Language). This approach provides an intuitive way to create complex XML requests.

- Manual XML Input:

If no WSDL is available or you need more control, you can manually input your XML content into the “Request Body” section. Ensure that the XML structure conforms to the SOAP service’s requirements.

4. Set Headers (Optional):

  • SOAP services often use specific headers, such as Content-Type: text/xml. Set any required headers in the “Headers” section.

5. Send the Request:

  • Click “Send” to execute the request.

Analyzing the Response

Once the request is sent, Postman displays the response from the SOAP service.

1. Examine the Response Body:

  • The response body will typically be an XML document containing the results of your request.
  • Use Postman’s response editor to inspect the XML and verify the expected data.

2. Validate the Response (Optional):

  • Postman allows you to add test scripts to validate the response automatically.
  • You can use JavaScript to assert elements, check status codes, and verify data integrity.

Example: Testing a Basic SOAP Service

Scenario: Consider a simple SOAP service that allows you to retrieve a user’s name by providing their ID.

1. WSDL:

Assuming the service has a WSDL at http://example.com/UserService.wsdl, you can import it into Postman’s SOAP Client to automatically generate the request structure.

2. Request Body:

The request body might look like this:

<soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/" xmlns:us="http://example.com/UserService">
  <soapenv:Body>
    <us:getUserByName>
      <userID>12345</userID>
    </us:getUserByName>
  </soapenv:Body>
</soapenv:Envelope>

3. Expected Response:

The response might be something like:

<soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/" xmlns:us="http://example.com/UserService">
  <soapenv:Body>
    <us:getUserByNameResponse>
      <userName>John Doe</userName>
    </us:getUserByNameResponse>
  </soapenv:Body>
</soapenv:Envelope>

4. Testing the Service:

  • In Postman, open a new request and switch to the SOAP client tab.
  • Enter the SOAP endpoint URL (http://example.com/UserService).
  • Select the getUserByName action.
  • Paste the request body or use the request builder to create it.
  • Click “Send.”
  • Examine the response to check if it contains the expected userName.

Conclusion

Postman, with the addition of the SOAP Client plugin, can be a valuable tool for testing SOAP services. It offers a user-friendly interface for constructing requests, sending them, and analyzing responses. By combining Postman’s capabilities with the understanding of SOAP principles, you can efficiently test your SOAP services and ensure their reliability.

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