APIs are the backbone of modern digital ecosystems carrying up to 70% of the business logic of the application. They enable different software systems to communicate and share data seamlessly. As businesses increasingly rely on APIs to deliver services, the need for robust API testing has never been more critical.

Since they play such a crucial role in an app, keeping them sane and tested at all times is a key thing to ensure the smooth functioning of your app. It not only helps identify issues early in the development process, but also prevent them from escalating into major problems that can disrupt business operations.

The Danger of Regressions

Regressions are changes that unintentionally break or degrade the functionality of an API. If not addressed promptly, regressions can turn into bugs that affect the user experience and lead to significant business losses. Common regressions include:

💡 Key Removals: Critical data keys being removed.

💡 Status Code Changes: Unexpected changes in response codes.

💡 Value Modifications: Alterations in expected data values.

💡 Data Type Changes: Shifts in data formats that cause errors.

The Study: How We Did It?

To understand the current landscape of API regression trends, we drew insights from our own product analytics for the entire year “2023”, which revealed a staggering 8.6 million regressions across various sectors. Our report compiles data from multiple industries, including eCommerce/Retail, SaaS, Financial Services, and Technology Platforms.

Methodology

Our analysis involved:

• Data Collection: Gathering regression data from diverse API testing scenarios.

• Sectoral Analysis: Evaluating the impact of regressions on different industries.

• Root Cause Investigation: Identifying the common causes of API regressions.

• Strategic Recommendations: Providing actionable insights to mitigate regressions.

Key Findings

⏩API Regression Trends: A Snapshot

Our study revealed that the most affected sectors by API regressions in 2023 are:

• eCommerce/Retail: 63.4%

• SaaS: 20.7%

• Financial Services: 8.3%

• Technology Platforms: 6.2%

⏩Common Types of Regressions

• Key Removed: 26.8%

• Status Code Changed: 25.5%

• Value Modified: 17.7%

• Data Type Changed: 11.9%

⏩Sectoral Metrics: Regressions & Test Runs Analysis

• Financial Services: Leading in total regressions (28.9%), followed by Technology Platforms (22.2%).

• Total Test Runs: Highest in SaaS and Financial Services sectors, indicating the critical need for robust testing practices.

⏩Root Cause Analysis

Our investigation identified the following common causes of API regressions:

1. Rapid API Changes: Frequent updates leading to instability.

2. Server-side Limitations or Network Issues: Affecting API performance.

3. Bad Data Inputs: Incorrect data leading to failures.

4. Schema or Contract Breaches: Violations of predefined API structures.

Strategic Recommendations

To address these issues, we recommend:

• Building Robust Automation Testing Suites: Invest in agile testing tools that integrate well with microservices architectures.

• Testing Real-World Scenarios: Simulate actual usage conditions to uncover potential vulnerabilities.

• Adopting a Shift-Left Approach: Integrate testing early in the development lifecycle to anticipate and address potential regressions.

• Establishing Real-Time Monitoring: Quickly identify and address issues, especially in user-intensive sectors like e-commerce and financial services.

Conclusion

The 2023 State of API Testing Report highlights the critical role of effective regression testing in ensuring robust, reliable APIs. By addressing common causes of regressions and implementing strategic recommendations, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of API failures and enhance their development processes.

For a deeper dive into the data, trends, and insights, we invite you to download the full report. Visit HyperTest's official website to access the complete "State of API Testing Report: Regression Trends 2023."

Stay tuned for more insights and updates on the latest trends in API testing. Happy testing!