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Selenium is undoubtedly one of the well-known testing tools used by experts for creating scripts that can be implemented in varied niches. In this article, we have covered every aspect related to Selenium and hope that it will help you know the tool better.
What is Selenium?
Jason Huggins is best known for creating a tool named “JavaScriptTestRunner.” That very tool is renamed Selenium. It enjoys popularity among software developers and testers because it is a portable and open-source automated testing framework.
A variety of different web browsers and operating systems, including Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, and Mozilla, online applications can be automated using Selenium. The Selenium grid server’s use enables the execution of tests and boosts productivity.
Selenium is one of the most well-known technologies currently available in the field of web testing automation. If you use Selenium properly, you may make your testing process fairly productive and complete a number of tasks in a reasonable amount of time.
The Selenium open-source automation framework is used widely to test web applications and websites for much less money than competing commercial products. Despite increased testing exposure and precision, flaws are less likely to slide through the cracks due to their exceptional efficiency. Since it enables automation with a single click, it runs test scripts faster than any other automation tool on the market. As a result, using it requires substantially less human involvement.
The following four tools make it up:
- Selenium RC
- Selenium WebDriver
- Selenium Grid
- Selenium IDE
With Selenium IDE, you can record tests and debug them. In addition to the Chrome extension, there is a Firefox add-on version that you can use. With Selenium Grid, you can run tests simultaneously on various browsers. Despite being rendered ineffective, selenium RC has received several updates that allow it to be used in the modern era.
It has a simple user interface that captures user interactions, making it easier to create automated test scripts. It is often used as a prototyping tool when installed as a Chrome or Firefox plugin. The Selenium IDE was primarily developed to accelerate the creation of automation scripts.
Scope of using Selenium:
The demand for Selenium has significantly increased because many businesses anticipate that web applications will be the next big thing in the technological arena. Many of the most successful companies in the world take advantage of Selenium resources to automate their tests. Selenium proficiency will help you land a position superior to others and more fulfilling if you intend to make a career out of automated testing.
The Selenium path is for you if you want to gain advanced-level experience in test automation and are ready to go deeper into the subject. It appears that Selenium has a very bright future full of incredible prospects.
Selenium RC:
The Remote Control (RC) topic is one of the fascinating features of Selenium automated testing. Paul Hammant is the inventor of the original idea and development of Selenium Remote Control. It contained a collection of JavaScript functions that, when used with the built-in JavaScript interpreter of the browser, understood and executed Selenese commands.
Following that, the browser’s Selenium-Core plugin was added. However, the application could not access several parts of other domains, including Yahoo.com. Selenium RC was developed as a result.
This Java-based server allows you to write application tests in various programming languages. These languages include, among others, C#, Java, PHP, Perl, and Python. The Selenium RC server converts user program commands into Selenium-Core JavaScript commands and sends them to the browser. The browser is capable of carrying out these commands. The Selenium tool is applied to create various original concepts for full-stack projects.
Selenium WebDriver:
A core engine like RC is not necessary for WebDriver. It naturally engages with the applications running in the browser. Numerous programming languages, including PHP, Perl, Python, and Ruby, and, among others, are compatible with them. Additionally, it may be used in conjunction with frameworks like TestNG and JUnit to manage Selenium automation tests.
Discussing Selenium WebDriver’s architecture:
Due to its architecture, you will find it simpler to understand a variety of full-stack web development projects for students. It consists of the following elements:
- The test code written in a language the driver can understand is called a Selenium test script.
- The JSON Wire Protocol handles data transmission from a client to a server. It acts as a benchmark for companies in the industry for a range of web services.
- Selenium uses each browser’s unique drivers. They support the creation of a safe connection with web browsers.
Browsers: You can test and run applications on whatever web browser you like because Selenium WebDriver is compatible with many web browsers.
Selenium Integrated Development Environment (IDE):
The Selenium IDE program was created in 2006 by Shinya Kasatani and is a Firefox or Chrome browser extension that automates procedures. The IDE will typically capture user actions on the browser and export them into a script that may be used again.
The purpose of the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is to speed up the creation of automation scripts. It is a tool for rapid prototyping, and engineers without programming knowledge or experience can still utilize it.
Selenium Grid:
It makes it simpler to do tests concurrently across different web browsers and operating systems. It is highly adaptable and integrated with the other elements of the suite to guarantee a seamless operation.
Its structure comprises a hub that is linked to many nodes. Before beginning the testing, it obtains data regarding the operating system and browser that will be used. It then chooses a node that satisfies the criteria (of the platform and the browser) and sends the test to that specific node. The node is ultimately responsible for starting the browser and executing the Selenium commands. Using the methods covered in Selenium Grid, you can develop unique suggestions for full-stack web development projects for professionals and students.
Why are Selenium project recommendations so well-liked?
Many computer languages, including Java, C#, Ruby, PHP, Python, and JavaScript, are compatible with this free and open-source application, Selenium. It also works with a huge selection of browsers and OS systems. Additionally, it supports the JUnit, TestNG, and NUnit frameworks in addition to parallel testing.
The ability to program tests in various languages is one of the most crucial aspects contributing to the success of Selenium projects. By utilizing this broad compatibility, you can implement the most recent ideas for full-stack web development projects for students.
Its attractiveness among companies specializing in global test automation may also be attributed to the fact that it is a successful and relatively user-friendly automation solution. The user-friendly user interface of web applications satisfies the majority of testing requirements.
The basic steps of the Selenium tests are as follows:
- Launching a WebDriver instance
- Reaching out to a web page
- Locate an HTML element on the web platform
- Apply a command to an HTML element
- Consider how the browser will react in response to your action.
- Conduct tests, and record the results through test frameworks.
Some of the numerous advantages of using Selenium as an automation testing tool include the following:
- Licensing has no costs, and it is free to use.
- Numerous programming languages, including Java, Python, C#, and JavaScript, are compatible with it.
- An application can be tested on several platforms and browsers, including Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Internet Explorer, using Selenium Grid to perform tests on multiple computers (such as Mac, Linux, and Windows, among others).
- It can test various gadgets, such as Androids, iPhones, Blackberries, etc.
- It provides the record and playback functionalities through the Selenium IDE.
- Due to its adaptability, you can use it with various frameworks, such as JUnit, TestNG, and others.
- It runs headless mode to minimize the time and resources required for test execution.
- A variety of reporting and test management systems, build and continuous integration frameworks, test frameworks, and third-party APIs can all be easily interfaced with.
- It contains straightforward APIs that are simple to use.
- It supports the reusability of tests because the same tests developed can be approved across numerous browsers.
- It is helpful for a range of testing, including integration testing, acceptance testing, regression testing, functional testing, end-to-end testing, testing in many browsers, testing for sanity and smoke, and so on.
- It provides broad community support to address the queries and worries of customers.
Automating patient data process
Patient referral systems allow the hospital to communicate better with patients and help people find the best treatment per their requirements. For instance, a hospital patient might require bypass surgery, but the facility lacks the tools required to carry it out. Using the patient referral system can direct the patient to a different hospital that is more suited to treat their ailment.
Another advantage is that patients can use such a system to find better hospitals. It is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing Selenium project concepts. You can create an automated testing script for a patient referral system that helps the system’s creator enhance the efficiency of the tests.
Selenium WebDriver is a tool you can use to complete this task. Ensure the framework you create is simple and does not require much technical knowledge. Your solution needs to be user-friendly enough for someone who has yet to gain experience with automation scripts to utilize. Once an automated test has finished successfully, you may add the ability to contact the user via email. If you want to go one step further, include a tool to create reports.
Automated Data Implementation for Physical Fitness
As a part of this project, you will have the chance to develop an automated testing framework for a fitness solution. Your framework should support a web browser like Google, and script maintenance should be kept to a minimum wherever possible. This is a result of the fact that most users of fitness applications need to become more familiar with automation scripts. Additionally, it would help if you keep your system’s framework as simple as possible.
The entire procedure must be automated with the help of Selenium WebDriver and the page object design pattern. The page object can assist you in reducing the time required to maintain the automation script. Using page object design patterns, you can create classes for each page. The user would have access to a better user interface.
To create the test scripts, the developer should employ call methods via page object classes like account login, sign-in for new accounts, etc. You must place a system that records test results in an Excel spreadsheet. You have the choice to save the complete test logs so that you can review them later.
The generated reports can be interactive and user-customizable, making it much easier for the user to understand the information. You will gain a large amount of Selenium experience by working on this project.
Conclusion
The local deployment of automated browser tests works well if you are only concerned with a few browsers. It becomes more challenging when you have to test your site with multiple browser combinations. It is impossible to use Selenium Grid in these cases.
An alternative would be to use a cloud-based platform like LambdaTest for cross-browser testing. Using a cloud-based platform like LambdaTest, you can perform automation testing for your Selenium test cases against multiple combinations using the grid’s capabilities. By implementing such tests, it will be possible to achieve high levels of test coverage and parallel execution, resulting in increased product confidence.
Creating a LambdaTest account is the first step. You will need to note your username & access key in LambdaTest’s Profile section after creating your account. With LambdaTest Dashboard, you can view test logs, run tests, monitor the status of tests, and view recordings of previous tests as well as view information about the tests and logs. LambdaTest Capabilities Generator gives you the opportunity to generate cross-browser capabilities for a particular browser on a particular platform.
We have tried to explain Selenium as briefly as possible in this blog. Some of the examples listed above will make your concepts much clear about the open-source platform.