Explain some Advantages and Disadvantages of REST Assured.

Advantages of REST Assured :

Simple and Readable Syntax:
- REST Assured provides a domain-specific language (DSL) that makes it easy to write and understand test cases, even for non-programmers.
- Example: The given(), when(), and then() syntax improves code readability and organization.
Comprehensive API Testing:
- Supports all HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH, etc., enabling end-to-end testing of RESTful APIs.
Supports JSON and XML:
- Built-in support for parsing and validating JSON and XML responses.
- JSONPath and XMLPath integration make it easy to query specific parts of the response.
Authentication Mechanisms:
- Supports various authentication methods, including Basic Auth, Digest Auth, OAuth 1.0/2.0, Bearer Tokens, and Preemptive Auth.
Seamless Integration:
- Works well with popular Java testing frameworks like JUnit and TestNG for creating test suites and managing test cases.
Efficient Assertions:
- Provides built-in assertion methods for verifying response status codes, headers, body content, and response times.
- Example: assertThat().statusCode(200).body("key", equalTo("value")).
Custom Filters:
- Allows adding custom filters for advanced use cases like logging requests and responses or dynamically modifying them during execution.
Reusable Code:
- Test scripts can be modularized and reused, saving time and effort when testing multiple APIs with similar structures.
Free and Open-Source:
- REST Assured is free to use, making it accessible to teams with limited budgets.
Active Community Support:

A large, active community contributes to its development, ensuring regular updates and availability of resources like tutorials and forums.

Disadvantages of REST Assured :

Java-Specific:
- REST Assured is a Java-based library, limiting its use to Java projects or teams familiar with Java. It may not be suitable for teams using other languages like Python, Ruby, or JavaScript.
Dependency Management:
- Requires adding dependencies to the project (e.g., in Maven or Gradle), which can complicate setup if not managed properly.
Limited to RESTful APIs:
- Designed specifically for RESTful API testing. It cannot natively handle other API protocols like SOAP or GraphQL without additional libraries or workarounds.
Steep Learning Curve for Non-Programmers:
- While it simplifies API testing, REST Assured still requires basic knowledge of Java programming and testing frameworks, which can be a barrier for non-developers.
No Built-In Reporting:
- REST Assured does not provide built-in reporting capabilities. Test results must be integrated with external tools or frameworks (e.g., TestNG, JUnit, or custom reports).
Performance Testing Limitations:
- Not designed for large-scale performance or load testing. Tools like JMeter or Gatling are better suited for such use cases.
Log Management:
- While it allows request/response logging, the default log format may require customization to make logs more readable or useful for debugging.
Thread Safety Concerns:
- REST Assured is not inherently thread-safe. Running parallel tests requires additional measures, like ensuring no shared configurations are modified during test execution.
Complex Setup for Advanced Use Cases:
- Advanced features, such as dynamic request building or handling nested JSON, may require significant coding effort compared to simpler no-code or low-code tools.
Limited Support for API Mocking:

REST Assured does not natively provide API mocking capabilities. External tools like WireMock are needed for simulating API responses during testing.