name: Test Scripts Vocabulary
description: >-
  Vocabulary of terms, concepts, and classifications used in the domain of
  automated test scripting for APIs and software systems.
url: https://github.com/api-evangelist/test-scripts
tags:
  - Automation
  - Quality Assurance
  - Testing
created: '2026-05-03'
modified: '2026-05-03'

terms:
  - term: Test Script
    definition: >-
      An executable file or set of instructions that automates the validation of
      software behavior. Test scripts encode test logic in a programming language
      or DSL and can be executed repeatedly across environments and CI/CD pipelines.
    tags:
      - Core Concept

  - term: Assertion
    definition: >-
      A statement within a test script that verifies an expected outcome. Assertions
      check status codes, response bodies, response times, headers, and schema
      compliance. A failed assertion marks the test as failed.
    tags:
      - Testing

  - term: Test Framework
    definition: >-
      A structured set of guidelines, tools, and libraries that govern how test
      scripts are organized, executed, and reported. Common API testing frameworks
      include Karate, REST Assured, Postman/Newman, Playwright, and Cypress.
    tags:
      - Framework

  - term: Contract Test
    definition: >-
      A test that verifies an API implementation matches its documented specification
      (e.g., OpenAPI). Contract tests ensure producers and consumers of an API
      agree on the interface contract.
    tags:
      - Contract Testing

  - term: Unit Test
    definition: >-
      A test that validates a single, isolated function or component in isolation
      from its dependencies, typically using mocks or stubs for external services.
    tags:
      - Testing

  - term: Integration Test
    definition: >-
      A test that verifies multiple components interact correctly. For APIs, integration
      tests send real HTTP requests to a running service and validate end-to-end
      request/response behavior.
    tags:
      - Testing

  - term: End-to-End Test
    definition: >-
      A test that exercises a complete user workflow across multiple systems and
      APIs. End-to-end tests simulate real-world usage scenarios from start to finish.
    tags:
      - Testing

  - term: Performance Test
    definition: >-
      A test script that measures API throughput, latency, and error rates under
      simulated load. Tools such as k6, JMeter, Gatling, and Artillery execute
      performance test scripts with configurable virtual user counts and ramp-up patterns.
    tags:
      - Performance Testing

  - term: Smoke Test
    definition: >-
      A minimal set of test scripts run after deployment to verify that core API
      endpoints are responsive and returning expected results. Smoke tests provide
      rapid confidence that a release is viable before deeper testing.
    tags:
      - Testing

  - term: Regression Test
    definition: >-
      A test script that re-runs previously passing scenarios to verify that new
      code changes have not introduced unexpected breakage in existing functionality.
    tags:
      - Testing

  - term: Security Test
    definition: >-
      A test script targeting authentication, authorization, input validation,
      and vulnerability detection. Security test tools include OWASP ZAP, Nuclei,
      and StackHawk, which execute automated security scripts against running APIs.
    tags:
      - Security

  - term: Data-Driven Testing
    definition: >-
      An approach where a single test script is executed multiple times with different
      input datasets. The test logic is parameterized so that test cases are generated
      from external data sources (CSV, JSON, or environment variables).
    tags:
      - Methodology

  - term: CI/CD Integration
    definition: >-
      The practice of running test scripts automatically as part of a continuous
      integration or delivery pipeline. Triggered by code pushes, pull requests,
      or on a schedule, CI integration ensures tests run consistently without manual
      intervention.
    tags:
      - CI/CD

  - term: Test Runner
    definition: >-
      The executable process that reads test scripts and orchestrates their execution,
      collecting results and reporting pass/fail outcomes. Newman (for Postman), Jest,
      Mocha, and pytest are common test runner tools.
    tags:
      - Tooling

  - term: Fixture
    definition: >-
      Predefined data or state set up before test script execution to ensure
      repeatable, deterministic test results. Fixtures may include seed data,
      mock server responses, or pre-configured environment variables.
    tags:
      - Testing

  - term: Mock Server
    definition: >-
      A simulated API server that returns predefined responses to test script requests.
      Mock servers enable testing of consumer code without depending on live API
      availability, using tools such as WireMock, Mockoon, and Hoverfly.
    tags:
      - Tooling