WebDriver is an essential tool for automation testing, and when combined with Jenkins, it becomes a powerful force in software development. Professional QA engineers can optimize the testing processes by leveraging reliable and established open-source tools such as Selenium. These tools facilitate the automation of comprehensive tests, resulting in faster test execution. To ensure efficient results from Selenium tests, practitioners must be proficient in the relevant best practices.
This article on what is Selenium WebDriver will discuss WebDriver and uncover advanced tips and techniques for Selenium testing with Jenkins.
Avoid Blocking Sleep Calls
The performance of web applications, including websites, is influenced by various external factors such as network speed, device capabilities, geographical location, server load, and others. These factors present challenges in accurately predicting the loading time of specific web elements. Introducing a delay or timeout before executing actions on web elements can help ensure elements have sufficient time to load, potentially improving the overall performance.
Delay achieved by utilizing a blocking sleep call, such as time.sleep in Python or Thread.sleep in Java, pauses the test thread for a limited second. In the context of a single-threaded application, thread blocking will occur, consequently halting the process. Implementing sleep calls is crucial for introducing the necessary delay, although the length of the delay is contingent on various factors. There is no assurance that the added delay will consistently be effective. For instance, a delay of 5 seconds may not suffice if the designated web element fails to load even after 10 seconds.
Selenium offers the functionality of implicit and explicit waits, which are more effective in managing delays than the sleep method. Implicit wait directs the browser to wait for a predetermined duration for all web elements on the page. On the contrary, the explicit wait is a dynamic Selenium wait utilized to pause script execution based on a specific condition for a designated period. WebDriverWait and ExpectedConditions can be employed to implement condition-driven waits.
Using the Right Locators
To effectively test the desired web elements within a specific application, Quality Assurance professionals must possess proficiency in utilizing various locator strategies. Failure to accurately identify the correct elements within test scripts can result in test failures.
In the process of automating inputs for the Username and Password fields on a login page, the initial step involves locating these text fields. Failure to locate the Username and Password fields within the script will impede the functionality of the login process.
Appropriately Name the Test Cases and Test Suites
In a team setting, there are instances where team members may need to modify the tests you previously authored. Upon revisiting these tests after a few months, it may be challenging to discern their intended purpose without a thorough review of the complete implementation.
If there are failed tests during the execution stage, it is necessary to identify the specific functionalities that are not working suitably by referring to the test names. Adequately naming test cases clearly and descriptively can facilitate troubleshooting, allowing you and your team members to quickly identify and address any issues without extensive scrolling through the implementation details.
Maximize the Browser Window
One of the initial tasks carried out by a Selenium test automation tester involves capturing screenshots of the web page. These screenshots are taken throughout the testing process to aid developers in identifying and resolving issues and to enable key stakeholders to monitor the progress of product development. Additionally, screenshots are crucial in determining whether test failures result from application malfunctions or issues within the automation test scripts used in conjunction with Selenium.
The default behavior of Selenium does not involve opening the browser window in maximized mode. This may impact the quality of the screenshot or snapshot of the web page usually included in test reports. To ensure a comprehensive screenshot of the entire web page, it is advisable to maximize the browser window promptly after loading the test URL.
Implementing Page Object Model
As customer preferences continue to evolve, the user interface of a website is subject to regular updates to meet these demands. Consequently, the locators associated with specific UI elements are also modified. This necessitates quality assurance professionals to develop new test cases for the updated page, which may be perceived as laborious.
One way to approach this is by utilizing the Page Object Model design pattern to develop test scripts. This design pattern involves representing each web page as a class file, with each class file containing the relevant web elements. By adopting this technique, it is possible to reduce code redundancy and simplify test maintenance. Additionally, Quality Assurance professionals can efficiently reuse existing code with minimal modifications.
Enhancing Web Display Clarity
At times during the Selenium test automation process, it may be observed that the test implementation is not functioning as expected on specific browsers. This issue commonly arises when conducting cross-browser testing on outdated browsers such as Internet Explorer.
Regardless of the web browser used for automation testing with Selenium, adhering to the best practice of setting the browser zoom level to 100 percent is recommended. This practice ensures a native mouse experience and accurate coordination of native events. It is imperative to ensure consistency in the Protected Mode Settings for each zone in Internet Explorer to prevent potential NoSuchWindowException exceptions from occurring.
Running Selenium Tests on Real Browsers
While there are numerous emulators accessible online for executing Selenium testing across various platforms, the use of real devices can significantly enhance testing outcomes.
Emulators are essentially software applications that simulate the operations of a device. They are most apt for testing code modifications in the early phases of development. Moreover, emulators may not be obtainable for every device-OS pairing, complicating the testing process for quality assurance professionals aiming to test specific combinations. Optimal results can be achieved through testing websites under real user conditions. This approach enables teams to identify and address a maximum number of bugs, leading to developing a resilient application.
Choose the Best-Suited Web Locator
One of the challenges encountered in Selenium test automation is the necessity to modify automation tests in response to any changes in the implementation of the locators utilized in the test code. Commonly employed web locators in Selenium WebDriver include ID, Name, Link text, XPath, CSS Selector, and DOM Locator.
It is essential to select the appropriate web locator amidst the multitude available to mitigate potential disruptions to tests resulting from user interface modifications. Link text is typically the preferred option in dynamic scenarios. In contrast, ID, Class, and Name locators are user-friendly and less prone to fragility than other web locators.
Implement Logging and Reporting
If a specific test within a comprehensive test suite fails, identifying the failing test case can pose a significant challenge. Implementing logging can prove instrumental in such scenarios, as strategically placed console logs within the test code can enhance code comprehension and facilitate identifying the issue at hand.
Several commonly used log levels found in popular programming languages include debug, info, warning, error, and critical. Overloading the test implementation with excessive logs may lead to delays in test execution. Therefore, it is advisable to incorporate logs at the error (and/or critical) level in situations that assist in identifying the root cause of failures.
In addition to logging, reporting is a crucial component of Selenium test automation as it aids in assessing the outcomes (pass/fail) of the tests. Automation test reports are instrumental in monitoring the advancement of test suites (or test cases) and their respective outcomes. These reports also assist in reducing the effort needed to maintain test data by enhancing the comprehensibility of the test output.
Efficient analysis of features and evaluation of test coverage is facilitated through automated test reports. It is essential to emphasize that Selenium test automation is most effective when accompanied by robust logging and reporting mechanisms. These elements are recognized as fundamental practices within the Selenium framework, enhancing automated testing processes’ overall efficiency and reliability.
Incorporating Wait Commands
Web browsers may experience delays in loading individual web pages due to various factors such as network conditions, server issues, or system configurations. To address this issue, quality assurance professionals frequently employ the Thread.sleep() method, which allows for a designated pause in the automation script execution.
The current approach may not always be the most optimal solution. In certain instances, a website may exceed the specified loading time, while in others, it may load faster, leading to delays in test execution. A more effective alternative is to employ Implicit or Explicit Wait Commands in Selenium for improved efficiency.
Use BDD Framework with Selenium
Behavior Driven Development (BDD) is a widely recognized development methodology that facilitates the creation of test cases using plain English language, known as Gherkin. This approach enables individuals with limited technical expertise to engage in test development alongside developers and testers actively.
BDD frameworks are a valuable bridge between business and technical stakeholders, facilitating collaborative test enhancement. Gherkin files, integral to BDD testing, contain a structured blend of features, steps, and scenarios, utilizing standardized Gherkin keywords like Given, When, and Then. The consistent format of feature files and keywords across various BDD frameworks streamlines transitions between different platforms, minimizing the user learning curve.
Planning and Designing Test Cases beforehand
QA teams must establish a comprehensive test plan before initiating the automation process. QA engineers should thoroughly consider all logical scenarios and develop thorough test cases from the perspective of end-users. Engaging in automation without a well-defined strategy often results in bottlenecks during subsequent stages of the project.
Frequently, quality assurance professionals prioritize validating successful script execution over comprehensive test scenario planning. This methodology may prove inadequate for ensuring thorough testing of web applications.
Use Data-Driven Testing for Parameterization
Testing on a website or web application across various browsers, devices, and operating system combinations involves testing against multiple datasets. Hard coding test values directly into test automation scripts is not a sustainable approach, as it can result in unnecessary bloat and potential test code duplication.
An adequate approach involves utilizing parameterization to implement data-driven automation testing with Selenium. Parameterization facilitates the execution of test cases across various input combinations or data sets. Increased data sets enhance test coverage, subsequently leading to improved product quality and the adoption of sound Selenium testing methodologies.
Using Cloud Testing
Cloud testing platforms like LambdaTest can be used to scale your Selenium tests. LambdaTest is a comprehensive test orchestration and execution platform that leverages artificial intelligence to facilitate the seamless and efficient running of manual and automated tests on a large scale. With a focus on providing a versatile testing environment, LambdaTest empowers users to conduct real-time and automation testing across an extensive array of environments, encompassing over 3000 configurations, including browsers and real mobile devices.
Conclusion
Mastering WebDriver techniques, such as creating dynamic locators and handling complex scenarios, can greatly enhance your Selenium testing skills. Utilizing Jenkins as a continuous integration tool can further streamline and optimize your testing process. Incorporating these advanced tips and techniques into your testing strategy can ensure more efficient and effective automated testing for your projects.