What is Postman, and how can it be used for testing REST APIs?

Short answer: Postman is a GUI tool for testing REST APIs. Features: Send HTTP requests (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE). Automate tests using Postman Collections. Generate documentation and mock servers. Supports environment variables and CI/CD integration.

Real-world example (ShopNest)

Creating an order is POST /api/orders → 201 with Location header. Fetching is GET /api/orders/{id} → 200 or 404.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.