Variable Scopes
Variables in Postman have different scopes, which determine where they can be accessed and modified. Let’s explore the different types of variables available in Postman:
- Local Variables: Local variables are kept within the collection within the scope of a specific request or script. They are temporary and accessible only in the context of the request or script where they are defined.
- Data Variables: Data variables, also known as data files, are used for data-driven testing in Postman. They allow users to parameterize requests with different sets of data, iterating over each set during test execution.
- Environment Variables: Environment variables are limited to a specific environment and can be accessed by all requests within that environment. They allow easy configuration of different environments such as development, staging, and production.
- Collection Variables: Collection variables are scoped to a specific collection and can be accessed by all requests to that collection. They provide a convenient way to share data between requests belonging to the same collection.
- Global Variables: Global variables have a global scope and are accessible by all requests and scripts in all collections and environments. They provide a centralized storage mechanism to store commonly used data, such as authentication tokens or API keys.
Variables in Postman | Scope, Use Cases, and Advanced Features
Variables in Postman play an important role in increasing flexibility and efficiency in API development and testing. In this article, we will walk you through the concept of variables in Postman, focusing on practical steps and real-world examples to empower developers and testers to maximize the potential of variables in Postman.
Table of Content
- Variable Scopes
- Use Cases
- Advanced Features
- Conclusion
- FAQ’s
Variables in Postman are placeholders that store and manage values used in different requests and environments. They provide flexibility and efficiency in API development and testing by enabling users to reuse values, store data, and create dynamic workflows.
Step 1: Environment in Postman
- It allows you to Create Environments in Postman facilitating the organization of variables based on different contexts (e.g., development, production).
Step 2: Creating an Environment
- Open Postman and go to the “Environment” tab.
- Click “Add Environment” and name it (for example, “JSONPlaceholder“).
- Define variables like “BaseURL” and set their corresponding values to “https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com“
Step 3: Environment Variable in Postman
In each request, use environment variables by enclosing them in double curly braces, like {{baseURL}}. This allows seamless switching between environments.
- Now, create a new request to the “https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/albums” endpoint.
- In the request, use the environment variable by enclosing it in double curly braces, like {{BaseURL}}/albums.
Step 4: Creating an Environment Variable in Postman
- Navigate to the created environment and click “Add new variable” Define a new variable (e.g., “apiKey“) and set its value.
Step 5: Global Variables in Postman
- Global variables are accessible across all environments. Create them by going to the “Globals” tab and adding variables like “authToken.”
Step 6: Creating a Global Variable in Postman
- Similar to environment variables, define global variables by clicking “Add” in the “Globals” tab.
Step 7: Using a Global Variable in Postman
- Utilize global variables in requests, enhancing reusability and consistency across different environments.