In the ever-evolving world of software development, staying ahead of the curve often means embracing new methodologies and tools. One such methodology that’s been gaining traction is spec-first development. This approach flips the script, encouraging developers to craft API and service interface specifications before diving into the actual implementation. The benefits are undeniable: rapid prototyping, early feedback gathering, seamless team alignment, and the ability to kickstart parallel development without waiting for full implementation. But a critical piece of the puzzle to fully capitalize on these advantages is the ability to mock service endpoints. These mock endpoints empower service consumers to test connectivity and verify sample payloads without waiting for the real deal. In this walkthrough, we’ll guide you through the steps to swiftly embrace spec-first development and service mocking using Docker Desktop’s Microcks extension. Docker Desktop’s Mickrock extension supports mocking of a variety of specifications, including REST, GraphQL, gRPC and AsyncAPI.
1. Download and Install Docker Desktop from https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/
2. Launch Docker Desktop and Click on “Add Extensions” under the Extensions tab on the left-hand menu
3. In the search bar, enter “Microcks” and click Install. This will start the installation. Behind the scenes, it pulls all the required images from the docker hub. Feel free to read the details of this extension.
4. Once the extension is installed, click on the open button, which should take you to the extension page.
5. The Microcks extension doesn’t start by default. Please click on the “Launh Microcks”. This will create the required containers.
6. Click on the URL presented on the screen (http://localhost:8080).
7. You’re all set to mock your service endpoints. Notice that it’s all running in your local environment without any dependency on external service.
8. You can now create your own Dynamic APIs or import samples as documented here
In summary, Docker Desktop’s Microk extension provides a cost-effective and frictionless way for development teams to get started with spec-first development and service endpoint mocking and testing.