Given our experience that tests are the only API specifications that really matter, we're always on the lookout for new tools that might help with testing. Karate is an API testing framework whose unique feature is that tests are written in Gherkin-based syntax without relying on a general-purpose programming language to implement test behavior. Karate uses a domain-specific language for describing HTTP-based API tests. Our teams like the readable specification that they get with this tool and recommend to keep tests with Karate in the upper levels of the testing pyramid and not overload its use by making very detailed assertions.
Given our experience that tests are the only API specifications that really matter, we're always on the lookout for new tools that might help. Karate is an API testing framework whose unique feature is that tests are written directly in Gherkin without relying on a general-purpose programming language to implement test behavior. Karate is really a domain-specific language for describing HTTP-based API tests. Although this approach is interesting and makes for some very readable specifications for simple tests, the special-purpose language for matching and validating payloads can become quite syntax-heavy and difficult to understand. It remains to be seen if more complex tests written in this style will be readable and maintainable over the long haul.
