When it comes to testing an API, using a web browser can have its limitations. While browsers are great for browsing websites and interacting with web applications, they may not provide the necessary features and flexibility needed to effectively test and debug APIs. This is where tools like Postman come in handy. Postman is a popular API development and testing tool that allows you to easily make requests to APIs, inspect responses, and debug any issues that may arise. With Postman, you can simulate different types of requests, specify headers and parameters, and view detailed responses. It provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to explore and experiment with APIs.

One of the main advantages of using Postman to test an API is the ability to send different types of requests. With a web browser, you are generally limited to only sending GET requests. However, APIs can accept various types of requests such as POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE. Postman allows you to easily make any type of request by simply selecting the desired method from a drop-down menu. This flexibility is crucial when testing APIs since it allows you to thoroughly test all the endpoints and functionalities.

In addition to supporting different types of requests, Postman also provides a range of useful features for testing and debugging APIs which we will have a look at later in the course. In the meantime, let me just show you how to get up and running with it.

For some of the things that we'll do in the course, you'll need a free Postman account. This will enable you to create APIs and collections in Postman which will help you to stay organized.

Here's some info on creating a free account:

https://learning.postman.com/docs/getting-started/first-steps/sign-in-to-postman/

Branch: https://github.com/GaryClarke/php-api-pro/tree/2-postman-demo