What are the differences between mock servers and staging environments?

What are the differences between mock servers and staging environments?

Mock servers simulate API responses for testing, while staging environments replicate production for final testing.

When should I use a mock server instead of a staging environment?

Use a mock server during early development for isolated testing, and a staging environment for pre-production validation.

Can you give me examples of tools for each?

For mock servers, tools like Postman and WireMock are popular. For staging, consider using Heroku or AWS.

What are the benefits of using a staging environment?

Staging environments help catch bugs before production, ensure performance, and validate integrations in a controlled setting.