Introducing Virtualization in the Ready API

How Virtualization Works

Virtual services imitate actual APIs. These outline the actions real API clients will call, take client requests, and simulate answers.

With the help of ReadyAPI, you may build virtual services that mimic the functionality of JDBC databases and REST, SOAP, JMS, and TCP APIs. In the Navigator panel, you can view the virtual services already in your project. It is under the APIs (Virtual) node, as you can see below:

You can see the virtual service's properties in the editor to the right:

Services like REST, SOAP, JMS, TCP, and JDBC have varied customization features.

A virtual service imitates the functions of real online service. It operates on a server and responds to client requests. You must include virtual operations (or actions) in your virtual service to achieve this capability. They outline the requests that will be made for this service. You can specify one or more potential replies for each request. The virtual service will return a response depending on the test conditions. It uses dispatch settings to decide which response to return:

Operations can be manually added. ReadyAPI can load the operation list from this standard. It is done if your virtual service is based on an OpenAPI, Swagger, WADL, or WSDL definition. Other techniques to develop operations are:

• Recording your interactions with an existing API and 
• Extracting requests from your captured traffic.

You may also set up your virtual service to route incoming requests. It will do by the following steps:-

Step1: Sending the requests to an already-running web service, 

Step2: Receiving the API's responses, and then 

Step3: Sending the responses to the client. 

This method is proper when you need to build a new real API off of an existing real API. It is required when you need to make virtual operations from real web service operations.

Running Virtual Services, VirtServer

Virtual services can be run on a remote machine or the computer where ReadyAPI is installed.

Local Computer

To start the virtual service locally, you can use ReadyAPI or a command-line runner.

Remote Machine

You must install VirtServer on the remote machine to use it to launch the virtual service. This program allows you to execute virtual ReadyAPI services on PCs. PCs can be without a ReadyAPI installation. A virtual service can be installed on the VirtServer and run there from the ReadyAPI.

ReadyAPI Virtualization Licenses

Users with any ReadyAPI license can access basic virtualization features. Basic features can be either ReadyAPI Test or ReadyAPI Performance. Various supported types of virtual services are available for creation, editing, and execution.

Licenses for ReadyAPI Virtualization give you access to improved capabilities. It also includes data source support, API discovery, and request routing. Others that make your job simpler and more efficient are also part of it.

What Is Web Service Virtualization?

The concept of building a virtual service that functions similarly to the real API you are creating is known as web service virtualization. The virtual service mimics your API. It does by defining the actions that customers will call, taking client requests, and simulating answers. Virtual services are also known as virtual APIs or web service mocks. Virtualization is sometimes known as isolation, simulation, or mocking. You use a virtual service when you cannot use a genuine service.

Advantages of Virtualization

• You can duplicate the actions taken by your service's third-party APIs. It can be done by developing virtual services.
• Before the API is developed, virtual services make it easier to write client code and run tests.
• Teams may operate concurrently. Your QA team can work on tests while developers are working on the API. When the service is ready for testing, they will have a full suite of tests prepared.
• Tests can be made for resources that are not available.
• Demos and meetings can be made to prove the concept.
• Your customer or partner can receive the virtual service from you.
• Test expenses can be decreased.
• Subsystem isolation is simple.
• Before integrating a web service into a live environment, you can test it first.

Disadvantages of Virtualization

• In many circumstances, you will replace a virtual service with a real API after creating and using it for a while. A virtual service's worth is determined by how well you can use it throughout its lifespan. It is a good idea to balance your efforts in the virtual service because of this. 
• You must deploy and run your virtual service somewhere unless you intend to use it locally. Thus, you may use the same computers to operate basic web services to run your virtual services. 
• The virtual service is a simulation of a genuine online service; it may not be accurate. Engineers develop virtual services to have a consistent testing environment. They often remove many of the intricacies of a live environment from the service.  

Best Practices of Virtualization

Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, virtualization is effective. It may help you save time and money. Several best practices are listed below. When building virtual services, keep them in mind.

• It would be best to start with basic virtual service and gradually develop it.
• You should agree on a virtualization scope.
• You need to know what you want to mock in detail.
• It would be best if you considered using virtual services again.
• It would be best if you thought about using the cloud for hosting.

ReadyAPI Virtualization Licenses

Every ReadyAPI user has access to service virtualization. Any user with a ReadyAPI license can access basic virtualization features without charge. For example, ReadyAPI Test users have basic virtualization features available.

You can use all the virtualization capabilities with ReadyAPI Virtualization licensing. The differences are shown below.

Base vs. ReadyAPI Virtualization Licenses

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SoapUI the same as ready API?

SmartBear's SoapUI is an open-source tool for testing automated web services. It can be used to build automated API tests for functionality and security. The next iteration of SoapUI is one of the test modules in ReadyAPI.

What distinguishes postman from the ready API?

Postman is designed to work with each API endpoint. It is hard to manage and track end-to-end testing over time. Since each test case is customized for ReadyAPI, tests may include a variety of endpoints, resources, or data pieces.

What is the ReadyAPI test runner?

You can run functional tests with the test runner and export the results. Either the ReadyAPI user interface or the command line can launch the runner. When you need to build the command line and check the settings, the latter strategy is helpful.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed virtualization in the Ready API. We have also explained the virtualization in ReadyAPI and web service virtualization. ReadyAPI Virtualization Licenses and more are covered in detail.

We hope this blog has helped you enhance your virtualization in ReadyAPI knowledge. If you want to learn more, check out our articles on introduction to API and its usage, Web API introduction, and real-world API. Practice makes a man perfect. To practice and improve yourself in the interview, you can check out Top 100 SQL problems, Interview experience, Coding interview questions, and the Ultimate guide path for interviews.

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