Basic API Documentation for Software Testing

API Documentation Sample

Title: Basic API Documentation for Software Testing

Department: Engineering / QA
Audience: QA Engineers, Developers, Testers
Document Owner: Technical Writer – QA Integrations
Last Reviewed: [Date]

1. Overview

This sample outlines how to test a basic RESTful API used for submitting and retrieving software bug reports. It includes endpoints, request/response examples, and test case notes.

2. Base URL

Base URL: https://api.testingplatform.com/v1/bugs

3. Authentication

API Key (passed as header):

x-api-key: <your_api_key>

4. Endpoints

4.1 Create Bug Report

POST /submit

Request Body:

{
  "title": "Login failure on mobile",
  "description": "App crashes on incorrect password entry.",
  "severity": "high",
  "reported_by": "qa_tester_01"
}

Response: 201 Created

{
  "bug_id": "BUG-2031",
  "status": "open"
}

4.2 Retrieve Bug Report

GET /bug/BUG-2031

Response:

{
  "bug_id": "BUG-2031",
  "title": "Login failure on mobile",
  "status": "open",
  "severity": "high",
  "created_at": "2025-10-20T12:43:00Z"
}

5. Testing Notes

Positive Test: Submit valid bug report → Expect 201
Negative Test: Missing title field → Expect 400 Bad Request
Auth Test: Invalid API key → Expect 403 Forbidden

6. Error Codes

400 – Bad request (missing/invalid field)
401 – Unauthorised (invalid/missing key)
404 – Bug not found
500 – Server error

7. Versioning

Current Version: v1
Deprecation Policy: Announced 30 days in advance

End of Document