Goal

To automatically generate, execute, and debug test cases for an API based on its specifications to ensure it meets its design and functionality requirements.

Trigger

The user needs to validate that a new or updated API behaves as expected according to its specifications.

Preconditions

• The API specifications are documented and accessible.
• The user has access to ratl.ai with permissions to generate and run tests.

Steps

1. Start:some text
   1. The user logs into ratl.ai.
   2. The user selects the option to create a new test project for an API.
2. Input API Specifications:
   1. The user uploads or specifies the location of the API specifications in ratl.ai.
   2. ratl.ai processes the specifications to understand the API structure and requirements.
3. Generate Test Cases:
   1. ratl.ai automatically generates test cases based on the processed API specifications.
   2. The system displays a summary of the generated test cases for review.
4. Review and Modify Test Cases:
   1. The user reviews the test cases. Each test case includes intended inputs, expected outputs, and test conditions.
   2. The user modifies or adds test cases as needed to cover additional scenarios or to refine existing cases.
5. Test Execution:
   1. The user initiates the test execution process.
   2. ratl.ai runs the test cases, tracking each test's execution status, response times, and outcomes.
6. Results Analysis:
   1. Upon completion, Rattle displays the results, highlighting successful tests and failures.
   2. The user analyzes the results, identifying tests that did not meet expectations.
7. Debug and Fix:
   1. For failed tests, the user investigates potential causes using logs and error messages provided by ratl.ai.
   2. The user makes necessary corrections to the API or adjusts the test cases to address the failures.
8. Re-run Tests:
   1. The user re-runs the tests to validate the changes.
   2. ratl.ai provides an updated report on the re-run, confirming fixes or identifying persisting issues.

Postconditions

• The API is thoroughly tested against its specifications.

All discrepancies between the API's behavior and its specifications are identified and addressed.

Alternative Flows

• Test Case Generation Failure:
  • If ratl.ai cannot generate test cases due to incomplete or incorrect specifications, it alerts the user.
  • The user updates the specifications and retries the test case generation.
• Test Execution Errors:
• If test executions fail due to system or configuration issues, ratl.ai notifies the user.
  • The user reviews the system and configuration settings, makes necessary adjustments, and retries the tests.

Exception Paths

• Invalid API Specification Format:
  • If the API specifications are not in a format that Rattle can process, the system displays an error message.
  • The user converts the specifications to a compatible format and uploads them again.
• Authentication Failure:
  • If the user cannot authenticate to Rattle due to security or credential issues, the login attempt is denied.
  • The user checks their credentials and attempts to log in again or contacts support if the issue persists.

Frequency of Use

• This use case may be executed as often as API updates occur, typically ranging from multiple times a day to weekly, depending on the development lifecycle stage.

Assumptions

• API specifications are detailed and structured to enable automated test generation.
• ratl.ai is configured to handle various API specification formats and standards.

Special Requirements

• The system must ensure high availability and performance during test executions.
• Security measures must be in place to protect sensitive API information and test results.

Notes and Issues

• Consider integrating with version control systems to track changes in API specifications.
• Future enhancements could include predictive analytics to suggest test cases based on common failure patterns.

Here's a use case description for the feature depicted in the flow diagram you provided, focusing on the process of using Gherkin scenarios for API testing: