Mock API for Testing and Prototyping with JSONPlaceholder API

In this Community Highlight, let’s take a look at the JSON Placeholder API on OpenAPIHub (Since Aug 2024, OpenAPIHub has been rebranded as FabriXAPI). What is it, and how do you you use it?

What is Mock Data?

Mocking data is a technique that can be used to test and improve the quality of code. It was first introduced in the early days of software development, when it was difficult to get access to real data. Mocking data allowed developers to test their code without having to use real data.

In a nutshell, mocking is pretending to be something else. For example, you can mock the behaviour of a database connection by pretending to be a database. You can also mock the behaviour of an object by pretending to be another object. This is useful because it allows you to test your code without having to use real objects or databases.

What is JSON?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a data format which is used for transmitting data over HTTP. It was designed by Douglas Crockford in 1999. It is commonly used for transmitting data between web browsers and servers, and it is also used to transmit data between servers.

The JSONPlaceholder API

It is a common practice during front-end development to use a mock back-end while the real back-end service is being developed in parallel. The JSONPlaceholder project is an open source effort to provide this mocking service. The project currently serves around 1.7 billion requests per month and is sponsored by community members and companies.

The JSONPlaceholder API on OpenAPIHub exposes this free service within the OpenAPIHub ecosystem, providing a low-code alternative and Swagger integration of this popular service.

Potential Use-cases

This JSONPlaceholder API may be of use in order to:

• Accelerate development with rapid mock API
• Enhance testing capabilities
• Allow for rapid MVP

or to assist in other areas of your business.

How to use?

Why should you choose this server?

The JSONPlaceholder API is supported by FabriXAPI, an All-in-one API Platform that supports API Needs and it is certified as “AWS Qualified Software” since 2022. You can register for an API portal for free, share and monetise APIs easily on the trustable platform certified by ISO27001.

Prerequisites

You will need a suitable JSONPlaceholder API provider. Using the JSONPlaceholder API, you can proceed easily as follows:

1. Sign up for a Developer Account

You need to sign up to the API Portal in order to subscribe and access this API. For more information, please refer to “Register as a Developer“.

2. Active API Subscription

You need to subscribe to this API before consuming it. Many APIs come with a free trial plan so that you can experience the API functions provided free of charge. For more information, please refer to “Subscribe to APIs“.

3. API Credential

An API Key is required to access the API. It can be obtained in the Developer Admin Portal once you have completed the signup to FabriXAPI. For more information, please refer to “Create API Key“.

You may check out the full API documentation on FabriXAPI User Guide.

Interface with the API

Using the online endpoints interface, you may try the API in a no-code environment.

1. Navigate to the /posts endpoint.
2. Input userId, id and title in the parameters field.
3. Select your API Key.
4. Click on “Try it out”.
5. You should see a result similar to the example below:

[
  {
    "userId": 1,
    "id": 1,
    "title": "string",
    "body": "string"
  }
]

It is as simple as that! Now use the URL on the endpoints page in order to make use of this service in your project.

Conclusion

Today, we learned about mocking JSON APIs with JSONPlaceholder API. This is useful because it allows you to test your code without having to use real objects or databases.