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Launch HN: Karate Labs (YC W22) – Open-Source API and UI Test Automation

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21–30 of 37 posts

Re: Launch HN: Karate Labs (YC W22) – Open-Source API and UI Test Automation

#21

> even non-programmers can write tests I'm curious if this has never actually happened? In my experience definitely not. I'm trying to think of even what kind of job role/skillset would have the knowledge and ability to write this bespoke syntax but not have any ability to do some basic script programming.

When you have a basic API test which makes an HTTP call and validates the response, it is quite simple. We've seen teams get started by just referring to an existing test or example. But you are right, when you start getting into complex business-logic or assertions, you will start using JavaScript. What people seem to like about Karate is that you can start off simple, but the tool can flex as you learn more.

Re: Launch HN: Karate Labs (YC W22) – Open-Source API and UI Test Automation

#22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Postman is a "UI driven" tool, it is great for exploratory testing of APIs and sharing the knowledge on how you call an API (e.g. collections) with others. But Karate tests are scripts that can be checked into version-control just like any other code in your team. Karate allows you to write hybrid tests, which means you can switch between API calls and UI actions within the same test script. You can also re-use API t…

can't you use Newman to set up unattended tests?

Yes in the case of Postman, you need a separate tool (Newman) to run headless or CI in the cloud. In Karate, there is no separate headless-runner, there is just one tool which includes the test-runner. This simplifies things.

Re: Launch HN: Karate Labs (YC W22) – Open-Source API and UI Test Automation

#25

This is something we need very desperately right now - DESPERATELY. And despite that, this was the feedback from some of my colleagues (referring to this: https://github.com/karatelabs/karate/raw/master/karate-demo/... ) : "I not like syntax but docs looks like good_)" "I also don't like the syntax. In the past, Ive ended up writing a lot of code that amounts to syntax configuration without a ton of benefit. Arguably…

@zomglings is your team looking for something more UI driven like postman or something which simplifies or abstracts who dependencies are handled?

Re: Launch HN: Karate Labs (YC W22) – Open-Source API and UI Test Automation

#26
Congratulations! Our own journey was fairly similar: Unsatisfied with existing tooling, created open-source project with blessing of employer (it helped that in <2 weeks we built a prototype that was already better than what $big_consultancy had spent months building), adopted by a few companies worldwide, eventually left employer and started an open-core business around it (albeit without VC money, and probably a much smaller market —pixel-based GUI testing for set-top-boxes—, and there's a hardware component to our product). Going strong since 2012 (open source project) / 2014 (business). I don't know that my advice will be relevant given the different market / VC approach, but feel free to reach out if you want to chat.

Re: Launch HN: Karate Labs (YC W22) – Open-Source API and UI Test Automation

#27
post #24

Karate is great - thanks for that. We started using it 2 months ago to run complex test scenarios spanning multiple distributed systems. We are still learning how to use it most efficiently, but its been an asset from day one.

Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated. Please do reach out if we can assist in any way with pointers on getting the most out of Karate.

Thanks once again and we look forward to your continued support.

Re: Launch HN: Karate Labs (YC W22) – Open-Source API and UI Test Automation

#28

Congratulations! Our own journey was fairly similar: Unsatisfied with existing tooling, created open-source project with blessing of employer (it helped that in <2 weeks we built a prototype that was already better than what $big_consultancy had spent months building), adopted by a few companies worldwide, eventually left employer and started an open-core business around it (albeit without VC money, and probably a mu…

Thanks! Great to hear this and I completely resonate with your experience. Really appreciate it, we will reach out.

Re: Launch HN: Karate Labs (YC W22) – Open-Source API and UI Test Automation

#30

All I can say is: good luck - and don't forget to give your website hero div a background colour so that when for some reason your background image isn't loaded in, your text is still legible.

Thank you for your wishes. We are in the process of redesigning our website. Changes proposed will certainly be taken into account.
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