Fixing 404 Not Found Errors in API Requests with Playwright and Java

Learn how to solve the `404 Not Found` issues when making API requests using Playwright with Java. Discover the correct setup for base URLs and endpoints.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Api Requests failing with playwright using Java

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Troubleshooting API Requests with Playwright in Java: Solving the 404 Not Found Error

If you're diving into API testing with Playwright using Java, you might encounter some frustrating errors. One of the most common challenges is dealing with 404 Not Found responses when trying to send requests. This issue can derail your testing workflow and lead you to question your entire setup. Let’s explore how to effectively tackle this problem and ensure your API requests work correctly.

Understanding the Problem

When working with API testing, you will often formulate requests to interact with a backend service. However, if the URL is malformed, the server will return a 404 Not Found error, indicating that the requested resource could not be located. In the original scenario, a user was trying to send a POST request to create an order but continuously faced this error.

Identifying the Code Snippet

Here’s the code that triggered the 404 Not Found error:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Solution: Adjusting the Base URL

After analyzing the code, the fix is quite straightforward. The crux of the solution is ensuring the baseURL is correctly formatted. Here’s what you need to know:

Steps to Fix the Issue:

Add a Slash at the End of the baseURL: The endpoint for the baseURL should end with a slash. This tells Playwright that you're dealing with a directory or base path rather than a resource itself.

Modify the POST Request URL: You will need to remove the leading slash from the endpoint when making the POST request.

Updated Code Snippet

Here’s the revised code that fixes the issue:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

API testing is a crucial skill for developers, and it can come with its own set of challenges. The 404 Not Found error you may encounter while using Playwright in Java is often a simple issue of URL formatting. By ensuring that your baseURL ends with a / and that your specific paths are correctly structured, you can avoid these issues and create seamless API interactions.

Now, you’re one step closer to mastering API testing with Playwright! Happy coding!