The following examples shows how to reuse an external JSON file or files in the Zerocode test cases

From this version onwards, Zerocode supports this feature. But there is a usage warning around it not to overuse this feature.

Dependency:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.jsmart</groupId>
    <artifactId>zerocode-tdd</artifactId>
    <version>check-latest-in-readme-github</version>
</dependency>

Here is a sample test-case with external file as JSON content.

{
    "scenarioName": "POST API - File json as response content - Reuse body",
    "steps": [
        {
            "name": "create_emp",
            "url": "/api/v1/employees",
            "operation": "POST",
            "request": {
                "body" : "${JSON.FILE:reusable_content/request/request_body.json}"
            },
            "assertions": {
                "status": 201
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "get_user_details",
            "url": "/api/v1/employees/${$.create_emp.response.body.id}",
            "operation": "GET",
            "request": {
            },
            "assertions": {
                "status": 200,
                "body" : "${JSON.FILE:reusable_content/response/response_body.json}"
            }
        }
    ]
}

where the

request_body.json

{
    "name": "Emma",
    "surName": "Norton"
}

response_body.json

{
    "id": 39001,
    "ldapId": "emmanorton",
    "name": "Emma",
    "surName": "Norton"
}

You can pick the handy examples from our HelloWorld repo (opens in a new tab) (as shown below) :

hello_world_passed

Suggestions and Recommendations

Try to keep the test cases as independent possible. Do not create too much dependencies on external files which will add unnecessary complexity to the project.
The complexity could be in terms project maintenance or interpreting the test case itself. Traversing around the tests are painful and we pay a price for it if they not readable.
We should use the IDE features which now a days, makes it a lot easier in terms of dealing with JSON contents to keep the testing life cycle simple n clean.

Charset Utf 8 or Utf 16 or Utf 32 Etc in the HTTP Response Generating Current Date and Datetime during the Integration Testing