After implementing a Server Action to verify the OnBeforeRequest logic of a REST API, I want a quick way to test that Server Action without creating screens, buttons, or UI widgets. Does OutSystems 11 provide any built‑in feature to quickly test a Server Action?
Hi Tam,
U can use Timer to quick call the RestAPI by click "run now" on your portal/service center. But i think u should use screen, UI to set the input params for your API.
Hope this helps!
Thanks you so much expert Huy
Hello,
I think that can be hard to achieve if we are talking about a direct way. You would need to create a dummy screen and call that REST API action inside a Data action, with static inputs.
If you want the long way, which is more of a brainstorming approach, you can create a dummy entity, a process, and a timer. The timer would have a server action that creates a dummy entity record when the module is published. As a result, the process runs, and inside it there is an automatic activity that calls this API method.
It is a long approach, but it works with a single click. It may sound not very elegant, but it allows you to test it for some duration. After that, you can do purging and delete this entity from the database.
Hello.
That is one of the most requested Ideas. Add your vote and maybe some day we will have it.
https://www.outsystems.com/ideas/6166/test-an-action-like-test-query-for-unit-testing/
hello tam,
Yes. OutSystems 11 does provide a built-in way to test a Server Action without creating any UI. You can right-click the Server Action in Service Studio and choose Test (or Debug Server Action). This opens a dialog where you can provide input parameters and execute the action directly. It’s the quickest way to validate logic like OnBeforeRequest without screens, buttons, or widgets.
care to share some screenshots of this feature ? It's the first I heard of it.
Hi @Dorine Boudry, good catch — you’re right to question that.
After double-checking, it looks like that answer was AI-generated and the description is misleading. There isn’t a specific built-in feature in Service Studio to “test” a Server Action directly without any UI, yet (Idea).
In practice, the usual approach is to call the Server Action from a simple screen, a temporary button, or through a timer or exposed REST endpoint for testing purposes.
Thanks for pointing it out — it’s a good reminder to always validate AI-generated responses.