Random Test Generation of Application Programming Interfaces

TL;DR

This paper introduces Autotest, a random API test generator that reads specifications, detects potential issues, and suggests best practices for improving API quality through automated testing.

Contribution

It presents Autotest, a novel tool for random API testing that leverages specifications to generate tests and identify specification pitfalls.

Findings

Autotest effectively detects API specification issues.

The tool supports regression testing by suggesting tests after problem resolution.

Autotest enhances API testing processes with automated, specification-based test generation.

Abstract

Cloud high quality API (Application Programming Interface) testing is essential for supporting the API economy. Autotest is a random test generator that addresses this need. It reads the API specification and deduces a model used in the test generation. This paper describes Autotest. It also address the topic of API specification pitfalls which Autotest may reveal when reading the specification. A best practice is to add an appropriate test to the regression once a problem is revealed and solved. How to do that in the context of Autotest's random test generation is covered.