Explore the API using Postman

To discover the API interactively, using Postman is recommended.

Note

The Chrome-Extension version of Postman is deprecated and it is recommended to use the native app available instead.

Configuration

To easily follow links returned by request based on the API,

  • go to the menu under the wrench icon on the top right
  • choose Settings
  • activate the option Retain headers on clicking on links by selecting ON:

postman-retain-headers

This option makes sure, once a HTTP-Header is configured, it will be reused during following requests , if these are initiated by clicking on links resulting from the initial request. This way navigating the structure using the API becomes a snap.

The option Send anonymous usage data to Postman should be deactivated by setting to OFF.

Usage

Choose the suitable HTTP Verb to be used for your request. This can be selected using the Postman HTTP Verb -> GET drop-down menu.

Enter the Object URL of the object that should be the target of a request into the URL field right to the HTTP Verb:

postman-request

Now set the appropriate HTTP headers.


To set the Authorization Header, there is a reserved tab, that is responsible to generate the final Header based on the authentication method and username + password.

You have to select

  • in the drop-down menu Basic Auth -> the term Basic Auth as the authentication method
  • A valid existing user with appropriate permissions

After providing these parameters you can create the resulting Authorization Header and insert it into the prepared request by clicking on Preview Request.

postman-basic-auth


Under the Headers tab you now need to insert in the Accept Header application/json` header as well:

postman-headers

The request is now ready and can be send by clicking on Send button.

The Response of the server is now displayed below the Request. You can easily follow the links on the @id attributes by clicking on them. For every link Postman has prepared another request sharing the same headers that can be send again by licking on the Send button.

postman-response

Conclusion

You can now explore the whole stucture of your application easily via the API using GET requests.