API Testing Method: Smoke Tests

In software development, a smoke test is a quick check to see if an API or program functions. These tests focus on core functionalities, not intricate details, to identify critical problems early on and prevent wasting time on further testing if the system is fundamentally broken.

Steven Ang Cheong Seng

Steven Ang Cheong Seng

15 May 2025

API Testing Method: Smoke Tests

The development of an API is a never-ending cycle. However, a particular step in an API's lifecycle takes up a particularly long time due to the endless possibilities that may occur. If you are thinking about the testing stage, you are absolutely correct!

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Testing APIs can be a very tedious and tiring process for API developers. To reduce the amount of time and effort spent on testing APIs, we recommend Apidog, a sophisticated API tool that provides various methods for testing your API.

If you are looking for a complete testing tool, start with Apidog now by clicking the button below. 👇 👇 👇
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Many API developers have expressed how difficult the API testing phase can be, therefore, there are a lot of API testing applications ready and available for download. If you want to see what the Internet has to offer, check out our curated list of the best API testing tools here:

Top Free API Testing Tools (Latest Update)
This article highlights some of the best free API testing tool available. Apidog offers capabilities like API request building, mocking, recording, automation, and validation.

What is a Smoke Test?

In the context of APIs and web development, a smoke test is a basic functionality check used to ensure that APIs are operational and critical functions work as intended. Smoke tests are also essential for checking potential major issues that could hinder the API's development process.

Fun Fact: Origin of "Smoke Test"

The term "smoke test" is derived from testing physical devices, to see whether they would emit smoke. When a new device like an air conditioner or microwave emits smoke, it indicates something is wrong.

Key Characteristics of Smoke Testing

Smoke testing is one of the many ways for API testing, therefore, smoke testing is not limited to being implemented with other testing alternatives. Here are a few main characteristics of smoke testing:

Examples of Smoke Testing Core API Functions

Some API functions need to work properly, or else they cannot carry out their main roles in an app's ecosystem. These are a few of the core functionalities worth running smoke tests on.

API Responsiveness:

Data Validation:

Authentication and Authorization:

Database Interaction:

Integration Checks:

Apidog - Conduct All Necessary Testing Methods Within One App

As mentioned before, there are various ways for API developers to test their APIs to ensure they can run as intended. Testing if APIs can run and carry out their main function is vital, without being able to do so, APIs will serve no purpose in applications.

To conduct other testing methods on APIs, consider Apidog. Apidog is a design-first API development tool that allows API developers to not only test API endpoints, but also utilize testing scenarios - an Apidog-exclusive testing function that allows developers to mimic real-life situations, and automate multiple-step testing cases.

testing scenario apidog
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Testing API Endpoints Using Apidog

With Apidog, you can test individual API endpoints to ensure that each one works fine.

To target the correct API endpoint, you first have to insert the corresponding API endpoint that you want to test. Once you have included the intended API URL, include the parameters that you want to use for the endpoint (if relevant).

In case you are unfamiliar with passing multiple parameters in an API URL, check out this article to find out how you can specifically target a resource inside a rich collection of data!

Tutorial: How to Pass Multiple Parameters in REST API URLs?
Two commonly seen parameter types are widely used in modern websites. Although they slightly differ based on their functions, parameters help developers identify specific resources found within a collection or system.

Creating a Testing Scenario for Your API Using Apidog

If you are interested in automating multiple-step testing cases, try out Apidog's testing scenario function.

initializing new test scenario apidog

Firstly, hit the Testing button, followed by the + New Test Scenario button.

add detail apidog test scenario

Apidog will prompt you to fill in the details for your new test scenario. Make sure to give it a proper name so its function is predictable.

add step new test scenario api apidog

Continue by adding a step (or many more steps) to your test scenarios by clicking on the Add Step section. You should be able to see the image below.

select import from api soap apidog

Select "Import from API" from the drop-down menu.

add soap api web service test case scenario apidog

Next, select all the APIs you would like to include in your test scenario. In the example above, the API called NumberConversionSOAP has been included.

edit testing environment start run test scenario apidog

Before hitting the Run button to start your test scenario, make sure to change the test scenario environment, which should be Testing Env, as pointed out by Arrow 1.

apidog testing results

With Apidog, you can see which steps of the test scenario passed or failed. You can therefore identify which function needs to be modified in order for the API to function as expected - the last thing you want is to hear developers complaining about your API not working!

Conclusion

Smoke testing acts as a vital first line of defense in API development. Focusing on core functionalities like data validation, authentication, and basic interactions, smoke tests ensure an API isn't riddled with critical errors that would stall further testing or development.

These rapid, automated checks provide a safety net, catching showstopper issues early on.  While smoke tests aren't meant to uncover every bug, they efficiently establish a baseline functionality, allowing developers to move forward with confidence and tackle more comprehensive testing phases.

Aside from smoke tests, you can trust API tools like Apidog to provide you with assistance during your API testing stage. With automated testing scenarios and individual endpoint testing, you can focus your attention on other aspects of your API.

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