Frequently Asked Questions about Mock REST APIs

What is a mock REST API?

A mock REST API is a simulated version of a real REST API used during development and testing when the actual API is unavailable. These mock APIs are also valuable for design, prototyping, training, and educational purposes. Operating on a server like a real API, a mock REST API requires definition of both the inputs (HTTP requests) and the outputs (HTTP responses) it should produce upon receiving those inputs. Mock APIs are also referred to as virtual APIs, simulated APIs, API simulations or fake APIs.

What is the difference between Mock REST API, Fake REST API, REST API Mock Server, API Mocking Service & API Virtualization?

Each of these terms can have slightly different connotations or usage depending on the context, but they generally refer to creating substitutes for real APIs to facilitate testing and development.

At which stages of development are mock APIs helpful?

Mock REST APIs are helpful in all stages of software development:

• Mock APIs are particularly useful in the early stages of development when the API contracts/specifications are finalized, but the actual APIs are not yet implemented. By creating mock APIs that return data adhering to the agreed-upon contract, developers of the API calling application can continue their work uninterrupted while the real APIs are being developed.
• Developers and QA teams can leverage mock APIs to quickly and easily test edge cases and simulate complex data scenarios, eliminating the need to repeatedly create fresh test data before each test run.
• Problems encountered in Production systems due to unexpected data returned by the APIs can be simulated quickly in the lower environment for root-cause analysis using mock API, especially when the required data is unavailable in the lower environment.
• Use mock APIs for early-stage product demos when essential APIs are not yet available but are crucial for a successful demo.
• Mock APIs can be used during system design phase and for rapid prototyping, and can also serve as a sandbox environment for API users.

When to use mock APIs?

Mock APIs are useful when your application relies on REST APIs to fetch required data. If your application doesn't use REST APIs, an API mocking server isn't needed.

What are the best practices for API mocking?

Mock APIs are most effective when they adhere to the same specifications as the real API. This means the API path, path variables, query parameters, headers, request and response body content types, and HTTP response codes of the mock API should match those of the real API.

How to create a mock REST API endpoint?

While you could create your own mock REST API endpoints, this can be impractical because that the same time could be spent on building the actual API. A better alternative is to use an off-the-shelf API mocking server like the one offered by ApiOnCloud. With ApiOnCloud's mock server, you can create and begin using mock API in minutes.

How easy is it to create a mock API endpoint?

Creating a mock REST API with ApiOnCloud's mock server is incredibly easy. There's no need to learn any new commands or syntax. Simply use our intuitive, user-friendly graphical interface to create your mock API endpoint, and deploy it instantly with the press of a button. It's so easy that even non-programmers, with a basic understanding of the HTTP request and response model, can create and deploy mock API endpoints in minutes.