In this current generation of app development where quick turnaround times are always ideal, developers are always on the lookout on how to reduce the time it takes to develop a completely new app from the ground up. While increasing manpower and computing resources can always speed up the development of any app, to do either can be quite a costly venture that not all development companies can easily afford.
API mocking in a nutshell
Putting it simply, API mocking is the act of creating a version of a particular API that has the basic functions to speed up app development or app testing. It addresses one of the most common sources of delays in the development process, which is when an API critical to the app’s functions is unavailable for some reason.
Since the main function of an API is to facilitate the communication between an app and its surrounding elements, having a working version of a particular API is essential to timely development completion. API mocking readily provides a working version of that missing API, allowing the building of the app to continue uninterrupted.
Besides this, there are other ways that API mocking helps speed up the development process. Note that these can also be applied towards to mocking both open and closed types of API, so they can be considered as advantages to open API mocking as well.
It speeds up testing
Testing is another essential part of the development process that can also be bogged down by missing or nonexistent APIs. Replacing these missing APIs with mock versions allow you to continue testing in a more agile and complete fashion. What’s more, it also gives you the ability to shape the interactions and response times of those APIs as the testing procedure requires. This results in faster testing completion, which reduces development time in turn.
It can simulate 3rd party services and components
Due to the unique nature of APIs, API mocking can also help in simulating the presence of other missing or unavailable elements needed in the development of your app, such as a 3rd party service, server, legacy system, or component. The mocked API will simply deliver the responses and callbacks that is expected of the unavailable service or component.
It can help proof against unexpected outages
API mocking can help prevent delays in production that can be caused by external or internal web service outages. By creating a mock API that simulates the response and callbacks from those web services, the development process can continue without any further interruptions.
It helps you continue working even if you’re offline
Perhaps you’re always on the move during your app development process, which means having to work in environments with unreliable or even no internet connectivity. By creating a mocked API that simulates online interaction with your app, you can continue development work even when you’re completely off the grid.
API mocking: a cost-effective yet powerful way to reduce development time
Speeding up development time doesn’t always have to involve hiring more employees or purchasing more equipment and infrastructure. Methods like API mocking can considerably speed up app development and testing while also keeping your budget intact. Check out the benefits of API mocking as listed above and see how much it can contribute to your app development speed and agility.