DevNet Associate (DEVASC) v1.0Understanding and Using APIsHard

A developer is performing API testing using Postman. They have successfully created a collection of requests to a Cisco API and want to automate the execution of these requests in a specific order, including handling environment variables and testing assertions for each response. Which Postman feature is designed for this exact purpose?

  1. APostman Monitors
  2. BPostman Mock Servers
  3. CPostman Collection Runner
  4. DPostman Workspaces
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. Postman Collection Runner

The Postman Collection Runner is specifically designed to run requests in a collection sequentially or iteratively. It allows for the use of environment variables, data files, and pre-request/test scripts to automate workflows, validate responses with assertions, and generate reports.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Monitors schedule collection runs at intervals from Postman's cloud to check API performance and uptime, but the Collection Runner is used for the actual execution.
  • B. Mock Servers simulate API responses, useful for development when the actual API is not ready, not for running existing requests.
  • D. Workspaces are for organizing collections, environments, and other Postman elements, not for executing tests.

Postman Collection Runner

The Postman Collection Runner is a feature that allows users to automate the execution of all requests within a Postman Collection. It supports iterating through requests, using environment variables, and executing pre-request scripts and test scripts for automated testing.

  • Automates sequential execution of requests in a collection.
  • Supports iteration over data files.
  • Executes pre-request and test scripts.
  • Manages environment variables during the run.
  • Generates a summary report of test results.

Memory trick: Collection Runner Runs Tests, Monitors Watch, Mocks Fake.

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