Measuring code coverage is a fundamental practice in software development, offering insights into how much of your codebase is exercised during testing. Traditionally, this metric has been associated with unit tests, which focus on individual components or functions. However, for applications like REST APIs, it might be a good idea to extend code coverage measurement beyond unit tests to include a running application. This approach can be particularly useful for exploratory testing, where testers interact with the application to uncover potential issues or examine its functionality.
Exploratory testing is a dynamic, unscripted approach where testers use their intuition and experience to find defects that automated tests might miss. Measuring code coverage in a running REST API application enhances exploratory testing by providing visibility into which parts of the application remain untested. This helps testers adjust their focus to ensure more comprehensive coverage. When feature requirements are unclear or incomplete, code coverage can reveal logic that was unintentionally left untested, exposing potential weaknesses in the system. Additionally, it highlights which features are rarely executed in real-world use, allowing testers to explore neglected scenarios. Beyond exploratory testing, this visibility can also inform a broader test automation strategy by identifying parts of the system that automated tests fail to cover. By bridging these gaps, teams can refine both their manual and automated testing efforts, ensuring that all critical paths are adequately tested. This data-driven approach enables better decision-making and ultimately strengthens the overall reliability of the application.
While unit tests remain essential, they don’t capture the full picture of an application’s reliability. Exploratory testing, complemented by runtime code coverage measurement, helps uncover untested areas. By adopting this approach, teams can make data-driven decisions to enhance their applications through more comprehensive testing.