5 ways to test APIs for breaking changes

Bill Doerrfeld | August 1, 2024

No developer likes an API that breaks. Breaking changes are changes made to APIs that cause some kind of disruption on the integration side. 


Thankfully, there are ways you can test for breaking changes in APIs, using methods like specification-based diffing, contract testing, functional testing, performance monitoring, following developer-centric communications, and other tactics.


I recently wrote up a summary of various methods and tools for testing APIs for breaking changes on the Treblle blog. Give it a read here! I especially enjoyed using oasdiff to compare OpenAPI Specification definitions — that tool is awesome.

Read: 5 Ways to Test APIs For Breaking Changes

Other Blog Posts

By Bill Doerrfeld April 20, 2026
My InfoWorld feature reviews the key building blocks in agentic systems and with real-world examples from Shopify, Block, and others.
By Bill Doerrfeld March 31, 2026
My latest InfoWorld feature explores what makes an enterprise MCP registry effective, from semantic discovery to governance and security for AI agents.
By Bill Doerrfeld March 30, 2026
My first-ever contribution to CSO Online looks at the shifting landscape, from perimeter-based security to API security, and how CISOs are responding.
By Bill Doerrfeld March 29, 2026
My latest feature for The New Stack looks into solutions being proposed to fix open source Slopmageddon.
A digital pattern of rounded rectangular blocks in shades of blue and purple, arranged in an interlocking layout.
By Bill Doerrfeld March 27, 2026
My latest DirectorPlus looks at how agentic AI is reshaping platform engineering at Squarespace: less shared code and more developer experience focus.
By Bill Doerrfeld March 19, 2026
Usage-based pricing is reshaping the API economy. Discover 5 API monetization success stories, including OpenAI, Plaid, and AssemblyAI.
A lightbulb against a purple background, containing a human brain with an
By Bill Doerrfeld March 18, 2026
Why event-driven APIs matter for AI workflows, enabling real-time data, scalable systems, and responsive agent behavior.
By Bill Doerrfeld February 28, 2026
While hardware usually gets the spotlight in physical AI, the real differentiator won't be hardware. It'll be the models.
By Bill Doerrfeld February 27, 2026
In the latest DirectorPlus, Workato's CTO explains how MCP-enabled integration catalyzed internal AI usage and ROI.
By Bill Doerrfeld February 18, 2026
My latest on InfoWorld reviews MCP servers from 5 major cloud providers