What are APIs?
API stands for “Application Programming Interface” which is a set of rules and protocols for building and interacting with software applications that specify how software components should interact and APIs allow for communication between different systems.
APIs are used to access web-based software apps like social media sites, weather services, and online databases. They are also used to access the functionality of operating systems or frameworks, such as the ability to open a file or print a document.
APIs are implemented by a server and are accessed by a client, typically a software application. The client sends a request to the server, and the server returns a response. The request and response are usually in the form of an HTTP message, with the request including a method (like GET or POST) and headers, and the response including a status code and headers. The actual data being exchanged is typically in the form of JSON or XML.
APIs are a key way that software applications can communicate and share data with one another, and they are an essential part of modern software development.
Now, Let’s get into Postman
Postman, on the other hand, is a tool that allows developers to test and document APIs. It provides an interface for making various types of HTTP requests (such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE) to an API, and it allows developers to view and analyze the responses that the API returns.
Postman has multiple features that make it efficient for exploring and testing APIs, which include the ability to save and organize requests, generate code snippets for different programming languages, and create and share collections of requests. It also has built-in support for variables, environment variables, and pre-request and test scripts, which can be used to automate testing and other tasks.
Final Thoughts
Postman is a really useful tool for exploring and testing APIs for it provides an interface for making various types of HTTP requests thus, allowing developers to view and analyze the responses returned by the API. With several built-in features that make it convenient to save and organize requests, generate code snippets, and automate testing.
It is also a valuable tool for developers during the development and testing phase of an API, as well as for documentation and sharing with other developers on a team. Making it widely used by developers and QA teams alike, and its ability to support multiple operating systems makes it more accessible.
