Testing GraphQL with Postman: A Detailed Guide for QA Professionals

GraphQL has rapidly become a favorite for developers due to its flexibility in querying APIs. However, testing GraphQL (GQL) presents unique challenges, particularly for QA professionals familiar with RESTful services. This guide is designed to help you master testing GraphQL APIs using Postman. As a paid user, you get access to this in-depth guide, which focuses on optimizing your testing workflow for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

Why Postman for GraphQL?

Postman has long been a favorite tool for API testing, and it is known for its intuitive interface, automation capabilities, and seamless support for REST APIs. Fortunately, Postman now fully supports GraphQL, making it easier than ever to test GraphQL queries and mutations.

Getting Started: Setting Up Postman for GraphQL

1. Install and Open Postman

Ensure you have the latest version of Postman installed. GraphQL support was added in recent updates, so running an outdated version might restrict your ability to test effectively.

• Download: Head to Postman’s official site to download the latest version. https://www.postman.com/downloads/
• Open Postman: Once installed, launch Postman and log in or create an account.

2. Creating a New Request

Open Postman and follow these steps to initiate your GraphQL request:

1. Create a new request by clicking on the + icon.
2. Change the request type from “GET” (default for REST) to “POST.” GraphQL usually operates over a POST request.
3. In the request URL field, input the GraphQL API endpoint, e.g., https://yourapi.com/graphql.

3. Switch to GraphQL Mode

Postman offers a dedicated GraphQL mode. Here’s how to switch:

• After setting the request type to POST, navigate to the “Body” tab.
• Select the “GraphQL” radio button from the sub-options.
• This changes the input format to be tailored for GraphQL queries and mutations, including…