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Postman API Testing Tips

How To Use Postman To Receive From Post

API Testing Blog

Understanding POST Requests and Receiving Data

POST requests are used to send data to a server. This data can be in various formats, such as JSON, XML, or form data. The server then processes this data and often sends back a response, which can contain information about the success or failure of the operation and any additional data. This is where Postman shines, allowing us not only to send POST requests but also to analyze the responses received from the server.

How to Send a POST Request with Postman

Step 1: Create a New Request

  • Open Postman and click on the “New” button to create a new request.
  • Choose the “POST” method from the dropdown menu.
  • Enter the URL of the API endpoint you want to send the request to in the “Enter request URL” field.

Step 2: Add Request Body

  • Body Tab: In the “Body” tab, select the appropriate content type for your data. Common options include:

    • form-data: Use this for sending traditional form data where you can specify key-value pairs.
    • x-www-form-urlencoded: Similar to “form-data,” but the data is encoded in a URL-friendly format.
    • raw: Allows you to send raw text data in various formats like JSON, XML, or plaintext.
    • binary: Use this to send files or other binary data.

  • Sample JSON Body:

{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "email": "john.doe@example.com",
  "message": "This is a test message."
}

Step 3: Send the Request and View Response

  • Click the “Send” button to send the request to the server.
  • Observe the response in the “Response” tab. You can view the response body, headers, and status code. This data provides valuable insights into the successful execution of your request.

Deciphering the Response: Extracting Crucial Data

  • Status Code: Check the status code. A “200 OK” status code indicates a successful request. Other status codes may signify errors or alternative outcomes.
  • Response Body: Examine the response body for the data returned by the server. This could be in JSON, XML, or another format.
  • Headers: Analyze the headers to understand additional information about the response, such as content type and encoding.

How to Receive Data from POST Responses with Postman

Postman offers a powerful way to work with the data returned in a POST request response:

Step 1: Understanding the Data Structure

  • JSON: If the response is in JSON format, Postman’s built in “Prettify” button, easily displays the response in a structured and readable format. This lets you identify specific data points within the JSON structure.
  • XML: For XML responses, Postman can also format the output for easier reading.

Step 2: Extracting Data with Tests

  • Postman Tests: Postman allows you to write tests to validate the response. These tests can extract data from the response body and perform assertions, ensuring the response meets your expectations. These are JavaScript snippets that automatically execute, making your testing process more robust.

  • Sample Postman Test:

pm.test("Status code is 200", function () {
    pm.response.to.have.status(200);
});


pm.test("Response body has a name field", function () {
    var jsonData = pm.response.json();
    pm.expect(jsonData.name).to.be.a('string');
});

Postman also provides a user-friendly interface for defining test variables that can then be accessed in your tests. This allows for better code organization and facilitates the management of variables in your tests, keeping your code concise and organized.

Using the pm.response.json() method

Within your Postman tests, the pm.response.json() method is a powerful tool for parsing and extracting data from the response. Here’s a step-by-step explanation:

  • The Core: The pm.response.json() method converts the response body, which is received as a string, into a JavaScript object. This transformation is essential for navigating and manipulating the data efficiently.

  • Accessibility: Once you have the response data as a JavaScript object, you can easily access its properties and values using dot notation:

     var jsonData = pm.response.json();
     // Access a specific property within the JSON response
     console.log(jsonData.name); // This will print the value of the "name" property

Advanced techniques like using the JSON Path syntax within your tests for more intricate data extraction.

Conclusion

Postman’s strengths extend far beyond simply sending requests. It facilitates receiving data, analyzing responses, and ultimately writing comprehensive tests to ensure the quality of your APIs.

Using Postman’s various features you can comprehensively test APIs, extract critical data from responses, and write sophisticated tests to ensure your API is reliable and functional.

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