Introduction
Have you ever had an insight into how Selenium is used to test the web through various elements and benefits the website?
If not, here is an article you will learn more about what Selenium webdriver is, what Selenium Webdriver for Automation Testing is, and the benefits and 5 Benefits of Selenium Webdriver for Automation Testing.
Selenium Webdriver now supports many functionalities not supported by the early Selenium versions. Let us look drive deep into the topic.
What is Selenium?
Selenium provides an open-source construction for automation testing; it helps validate browsers and platforms for web applications. Many programming languages can be used for Selenium, such as python, PHP, Java, C+, and C.
Jason Huggins invented Selenium in 2004. He was a web application engineer at ThoughtWorks, working on a project that frequently needed testing.
He developed a JavaScript programme that would automatically control the browser’s behaviour after seeing that their application’s repetitive Manual Testing was becoming increasingly ineffective. The “JavaScriptTestRunner” is the name of the software.
What is Selenium Webdriver?
The advanced version of the remote control is the Selenium webdriver. As the previous remote control version was facing limitations in the market, Selenium webdriver was Introduced.
The version changes in Selenium had a profound impact on the architecture too. Selenium webdriver provides broad flexibility and a programing language.
A web framework called Selenium WebDriver enables you to run cross-browser testing. This programme is used to automate the testing of web-based applications to ensure that they function as planned.
You can select a programming language to use when creating test scripts with Selenium WebDriver.
Components of Selenium Suite:
Selenium is a set of software, and the components of the Selenium suite include
- Selenium Grid
- Selenium Remote Control
- Web Driver
- Selenium Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
These are four components of the Selenium Suite.
Why is Selenium used?
The main application of Selenium is to automate testing across several web browsers.
It supports various browsers, including Firefox, Mozilla, Chrome, Safari, and IE, and Selenium WebDriver makes it very simple to automate browser testing across these browsers.
To know more about Selenium, read the below article and gain knowledge on the top 10 Reasons Why You Should Learn Selenium.
Selenium Framework Architecture:
The Selenium framework architecture includes
- Selenium client library
- JSON wire protocol over HTTP
- Browser Drivers and
- Real Browsers
Selenium client library:In the client library, there are several programming languages that Selenium supports. Say, for example, if you need java in the real browser, then it is a must to install java bindings and proceed further.
JSON wire protocol over HTTP: The JavaScript Object Notation is the abbreviation of JSON. To transfer the data between the server and the client, JSON wire protocol is used as a transport mechanism.
Browser Drivers: Selenium offers browser-specific drivers that interact with the corresponding browser by establishing a secure connection without disclosing the internal workings of the browser.
Real browsers are nothing, but the test describes the steps a person would take to accomplish the scenario in the browser.
Five benefits of Selenium Webdriver for Automation testing
Here we have listed a few benefits of the selenium web driver for automation testing.
We will look into the
✅ Flexibility
✅ Support system
✅ Source Availability
✅ Implementation&
✅ Easier access to Selenium.
Let us discuss each and every subheading in detail.
Flexibility
In the testing field, importance is preferably given to test management. However, the process becomes more efficient and easy regarding flexibility.
The flexibility in Selenium has more advantages when compared to other tools, such as the changes in the code being quick, the reduction of duplication being minimised, and the readability of the code being improvised.
The remote driver gets the coded instructions through HTTP requests, which may then be executed in the browser to transmit the response.
The instructions are successfully converted into Webservices by the remote driver.
One necessarily need not have to start the server before testing in the selenium web driver.
Many businesses are switching from the waterfall and agile lifecycles to DevOps lifecycles. Selenium is a crucial component of the DevOps lifecycle’s continuous testing phase.
Selenium plays the ideal function in the system when it comes to using open-source tools, which is why only some testing solutions are eligible to be used as part of the DevOps lifecycle.
Support system
The support system of the Selenium tool is excellent because Selenium offers community support, and it regularly releases improvements and updates.
Updates are accessible as needed. The Graphical User Interface or GUI test automation for web applications is made possible by the open-source Selenium toolset.
These software tools come in various forms, each supporting test automation differently.
Another essential advantage of automation testing with Selenium WebDriver is support for many devices. For example, cross-device difficulties can now be resolved using automated test cases built for testing on Android, Blackberry, and iPhones.
By handling mouse and keyboard events, WebDriver can simulate a real user scenario, a critical functionality. In addition, the action classes necessary when certain circumstances need to be executed are included in the API for advanced user interactions.
Simple actions like a mouse click or keystroke can be automated, as well as more complicated ones like drag-and-drop, click-and-hold, multiple-item Selection, etc.
A code library called Selenium WebDriver supports several programming languages, including Java, Python, JavaScript, and others. The fact that it categorises the browser as an object distinguishes IDE from WebDriver. Therefore, developers prefer object-oriented programmes when sending commands to browser objects.
Programming flexibility is provided with WebDriver. Testers can utilise their current IDE and programming language when choosing a programming environment. The fact that WebDriver’s tests are programmed demonstrates that it can follow along with, control, and branch the production code.
Some programmers wish to refrain from writing the code that tests their software because doing so can put the production code days behind. Selenium IDE is required, although it is optional.
Source availability is open.
The fact that Selenium is open source is one of several factors that enhances its benefits. As a result, Selenium is a publicly available automation framework that is open source and cost-free.
As a result, you can save money and donate it to worthwhile charities.
Developers and software engineers frequently receive assistance from the Selenium community in automating web browser functions and functionalities.
Because Selenium is open source, you can modify the code to improve code management and the functionality of built-in methods and classes.
Considering how simple it is to create test scripts to verify functioning, Selenium has emerged as the most reliable web automation technology.
The language used in Selenium is one of the significant advantages; it has multilingual support.
Granting web developers the freedom to use any programming language with which they are familiar.
Basic languages such as Java, Ruby, JavaScript, PHP, and python can be easily accessible in Selenium.
The main benefit of Selenium webdriver over other previous versions is that the newer version supports UNIX, Mac, Windows and Linux.
An individual testing suite that works across all platforms can be made using their solution suite. For example, with the aid of WebDriver, you may construct a test case on Windows and run it on a Mac.
Regarding browsing, it supports all major browsers such as Chrome, Yahoo, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Edge.
The webdriver provides an automated solution when there is an execution of cross-browser testing on a website.
You may replicate complex interactions using WebDriver, such as pressing the browser’s back and forward buttons. Unfortunately, such open-source tools cannot perform automated testing for this case.
This is incredibly helpful for testing fintech applications that involve banking or online money transfers but don’t save cookies or cache.
Learning is made easier with Selenium
The scripts on Selenium are not complex like any other tool; the written algorithm tends to be more accessible when one reads it.
Writing a few lines of code to automate your website’s capabilities is all it takes to create a Selenium script.
To get started with Selenium automation testing, developers and testers can benefit significantly from the documentation on the Selenium website.
You can create Selenium scripts for later use by using the record and play features of the Selenium IDE extension for the Firefox browser.
The update for Selenium never stops; the updation is never stagnant; they update every time. The advantage of Selenium is that after the upgrade and the update process, they are easy to use and readily available.
After every update, you do not need any training to use Selenium. All you need is a basic understanding of the update. This is one of the main reasons users prefer Selenium more than other tools.
Implementation made easier
Selenium automation framework is a technology that is relatively simple to use. A user-friendly interface offered by Selenium makes it simple and efficient to write and test scripts. Tests can be observed as they are being conducted. Selenium test results can be thoroughly examined and followed up on.
Last but not least, you will never feel lonely. You may always get assistance from the sizable Selenium community if you need it. In the neighbourhood, you can pose your questions and conduct brainstorming sessions.
When compared to other automation tools like SilkTest, UFT, and QTP, the usage of the selenium tool requires less hardware.
Multiple Selenium test cases can be run simultaneously on a single machine or remotely using Selenium. In addition, it is simple to accomplish on distant engines using Selenium Grid test cases.
Running tests simultaneously on several machines and various web servers will take longer when parallel and distributed testing is used. With other kinds of tools, it is only possible to complete the test cases fast, methodically, and with interruption.
The user can use Lambda Test (online Selenium Grid), which provides access to more than 2000 browser environments where tests can be run, and cross-browser testing can be automated if they are not interested in installing Selenium Grid on their computer.
Conclusion
When compared to any other tools, Selenium always tops number one.
The above-listed 5 are just a few advantages of Selenium webdriver for automation testing.
Other than this, Selenium webdriver automation testing has a few more advantages and disadvantages.
But compared to the disadvantages, the advantages of using Selenium are very high; thus, many users use Selenium Web driver.
To learn more about courses on Selenium webdriver automation testing, visit our website, as we are known for being one of the top Selenium training institute in Chennai.
Author’s Bio:
As CEO of TestLeaf, I’m dedicated to transforming software testing by empowering individuals with real-world skills and advanced technology. With 24+ years in software engineering, I lead our mission to shape local talent into global software professionals. Join us in redefining the future of test engineering and making a lasting impact in the tech world.
Babu Manickam
CEO – Testleaf
