Selenium WebDriver Explained Commands, Locators & Best Practices

Selenium is a dynamic tool for automating web app tests, allowing QA experts & software developers to replicate user connections with web components. Central to its features are locators & commands, which facilitate specific detection and manipulation of components within the DOM. Understanding & executing best practices in using these components are critical to generate effective & accurate automated tests.

Commands in Selenium WebDriver enable QA testers to run multiple operations such as navigating to a URL, opening a web browser, and communicating with web components. Locators, on the flip side, are strategies used to detect components within the DOM (Document Object Model) of a page, allowing precise interactions during tests. 

Executing best practices in Selenium automation guarantees the maintainability and effectiveness of scripts. This comprises choosing suitable locators, managing web browser sessions efficiently, and incorporating explicit waits to manage strong web components. By adhering to these practices, QA testers can improve the reliability and accuracy of their automation testing, resulting in reliable and stable web apps. 

In this article, we will explore what is Selenium WebDriver, discover multiple locator strategies, and plan best practices to improve your automated test efforts.

What is Selenium?

It is an extensively used open-source framework with a set of tools for automating testing on web apps. It has set libraries and tools that allow software developers and QA Engineers to automate tests across multiple platforms and web browsers. The framework is multipurpose and can function with several programming languages such as C#, Python, and Java, making it flexible to distinct test settings.

What is Selenium WebDriver?

It is a critical element of the Selenium suite that enables programmatic control of browsers. It allows QA Engineers and software developers to automate browser activities, such as entering text, clicking elements, and navigating to pages, facilitating complete web app tests.

Crucial Functionality and Features: 

• Open Source

It is an open-source project and has a huge community of contributors. 

• Browser Automation

It allows you to automate web browser activities, such as filling out forms, clicking buttons, navigating to a page, and validating content. 

• Language Support

One could easily write scripts in myriad programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, Java, etc.

• Cross-Browser Compatibility

It supports multiple web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, and IE (Internet Explorer). 

• Direct Browser Communication

WebDriver interacts directly with the web browser using browser-centric drivers (for instance, GeckoDriver for Firefox, ChromeDriver for Chrome). 

• W3C Standard

It is a World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) approval, which means it is a standard for browser automation. 

• Automated Test Framework

Selenium WebDriver is primarily used for automating web app tests to guarantee that the app functions as expected. 

• Replicates Actual User Interaction

It replicates actual user interactions, making it a precious tool for functional tests. 

• Incorporation with other Selenium tools

It can be used with other tools such as Selenium Grid (for executing testing in parallel across various browsers or devices) and Selenium IDE (for recording and playback).

• Supports Dynamic Pages

Selenium WebDriver can automate robust sites where content changes based on user activities. 

Selenium WebDriver Commands

It gives a dynamic suite of commands to interact with browsers & automate user deeds. Let’s find out an outline of some commonly used commands:

1. Browser Commands

• getTitle(): Fetches the current page’s title.
  • Sample: String pageTitle = driver.getTitle();
• getCurrentUrl(): Recovers the URL of the existing web page.
  • Sample: String currentUrl = driver.getCurrentUrl();
• get(url): Direct to the definite URL.
  • Sample: driver.get(“https://www.example.com”);
• quit(): Dismisses the WebDriver session & ends all related browser windows.
  • Sample: driver.quit();
• getPageSource(): Finds the source code of the present web page.
  • Sample: String pageSource = driver.getPageSource();
• close(): Closes the window of a present web browser.
  • Sample: driver.close();

2. Navigation Commands

• navigate().back(): Navigate back to the earlier web page in the web browser history.
  • Sample: driver.navigate().back();
• navigate().to(url): Navigates to a definite URL.
  • Sample: driver.navigate().to(“https://www.example.com”);
• navigate().refresh(): Reloads the present web page.
  • Sample: driver.navigate().refresh();
• navigate().forward(): Moves ahead in the web browser history.
  • Sample: driver.navigate().forward();

3. WebElement Commands

• findElement(By.locator()): Finds a single web component through the definite locator strategy.
  • Sample: WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.id(“elementId”));
• click(): Replicates a mouse click on the detected component.
  • Sample: element.click();
• findElements(By.locator()): Recovers a list of web components matching the locator conditions.
  • Sample: List<WebElement> elements = driver.findElements(By.className(“className”));
• clear(): Removes the content of an element or text field.
  • Sample: element.clear();
• sendKeys(“input”): Inputs the definite text into an element or text field.
  • Example: element.sendKeys(“Sample Text”);
• getAttribute(“attributeName”): Gets the worth of a particular attribute from a component.
  • Sample: String value = element.getAttribute(“value”);
• getText(): Recovers the observable text from a component.
  • Sample: String text = element.getText();

4. Wait Commands

• implicitlyWait(time, TimeUnit.SECONDS): If an element isn’t present instantly, it establishes a wait time for the WebDriver to spend a specified period searching the DOM.
• WebDriverWait: Explicitly waits for a certain circumstance to occur before executing the code.

5. Alert Commands

• getText(): Recovers the text demonstrated on the alert.
  • Sample: String alertText = alert.getText();
• accept(): Receives the alert.
  • Sample: alert.accept();
• switchTo().alert(): Changes the focus of the WebDriver to an alert box.
  • Sample: Alert alert = driver.switchTo().alert();
• dismiss(): Rejects the alert.
  • Sample: alert.dismiss();
• sendKeys(“input”): Enters the definite text into the alert box.
  • Sample: alert.sendKeys(“Sample Text”);

6. Frame Commands

• switchTo().frame(index): Changes the focus to a frame by its index.
  • Sample: driver.switchTo().frame(0);
• switchTo().frame(“nameOrId”): Moves the focus to a frame by its ID or name.
  • Sample: driver.switchTo().frame(“frameName”);
• switchTo().frame(WebElement):

What are locators in Selenium WebDriver?

Such locators are critical for QA engineers to find and interact with the web page’s components. These locators allow automated scripts to interact with an application’s user interface by detecting & manipulating precise components of the web page. 

Forms of Locators in Selenium WebDriver

It provides multiple locator strategies to exceptionally detect web components:

1. Name: Targets components by their name attribute.
   • Sample: driver.findElement(By.name(“username”))
2. ID: Finds components through the unique id attribute.
   • Sample: driver.findElement(By.id(“submit-button”))
3. Class Name: Detects components based on their CSS class name.
   • Sample: driver.findElement(By.className(“nav-item”))
4. Tag Name: Chooses components by their HTML tag name.
   • Sample: driver.findElement(By.tagName(“input”))
5. Link Text: Locates anchor () components by their specific visible text.
   • Sample: driver.findElement(By.linkText(“Home”))
6. Partial Link Text: Finds anchor components comprising the stated partial text.
   • Sample: driver.findElement(By.partialLinkText(“Read More”))
7. CSS Selector: Uses CSS selectors to locate components based on hierarchical relationships or styles.
   • Sample: driver.findElement(By.cssSelector(“.menu > li:first-child”))
8. XPath: Utilizes XPath expressions to direct through attributes & components in an XML doc.
   • Sample: driver.findElement(By.xpath(“//div[@id=’content’]/p[1]”))

How do I pick the best locator strategy?

Selecting the suitable locator strategy in Selenium WebDriver is essential for producing manageable & reliable test scripts. Let us take a glance at a breakdown of considerations and best practices:

1. Prioritize Stable & Exceptional Locators

• Name Locator: When IDs are not accessible, the name attribute can be a perfect substitute, provided it’s exceptional to the component. 
• ID Locator: If a component has an exceptional id attribute, it is the most reliable & effective choice. IDs are usually exceptional within a webpage, reducing the threat of choosing the wrong component. 

2. Use CSS Selectors for Scalability

CSS Selectors provide flexibility and can be shorter than XPath. They are predominantly beneficial when components do not need exceptional names or IDs. 

3. Be Careful with XPath

While XPath is robust and enables complicated queries, it can be slower and brittle in contrast to other tactics. Utilize it when other locators are not viable. 

What are some best practices for utilizing locators in Selenium WebDriver?

Employing effectual locator strategies in Selenium WebDriver is critical for generating reliable & manageable scripts. Let’s find out some best practices to consider:

1. Opt for Descriptive Locators

• Name Locator: When the ID is inaccessible, the name attribute can be an appropriate substitute, provided it exceptionally detects the component. 

2. Utilize Exceptional Identifiers

• ID Locator: Prioritize using the ID attribute to locate components, as it is usually exceptional & proffers rapid access. 

3. Exercise Caution with XPath

• XPath Locator: While authoritative, XPath expressions can be less effective and intricate. Utilize them judiciously, chiefly when other locators are inadequate. 

4. Leverage CSS Selectors

• CSS Selector: Use CSS selectors for their performance & flexibility, particularly when components lack exceptional names or IDs.  

5. Avoid Overly Generic Locators

• Tag Name: Utilizing tag names can result in ambiguity if various components share the same tag, raising the threat of choosing unintended components. 

6. Implement Explicit Waits

• Explicit Waits: Integrate explicit waits to guarantee elements are interactable & present before performing deeds, improving test consistency. 

7. Avoid Auto-Generated Values

• Stable Attributes: Refrain from depending on auto-generated attributes, as they are prone to change & can destabilize tests. 

8. Keep Locators Readable & Concise 

• Simplicity: Craft locators that are both readable & concise to enhance script maintainability. 

9. Frequently Revisit & Update Locators

• Maintenance: Occasionally review & update locators to accommodate changes in the app’s User Interface, guaranteeing continued test accuracy. 

Incorporating LambdaTest into your Selenium WebDriver Practices

Incorporating a platform like LambdaTest into your Selenium WebDriver practices can considerably improve your test’s effectiveness. Let’s find out how LambdaTest can be embraced:

1. All-inclusive Locator Strategies

The platform offers in-depth tutorials on multiple locator strategies in Selenium WebDriver like CSS Selector, ClassName, ID, Name, Partial LinkText, LinkText, XPath, and TagName. Understanding these strategies allows specific identification & interaction with web components, resulting in highly reliable scripts. 

2. Practices for Selenium Automation

By implementing the 16 Selenium best practices mentioned by LambdaTest, you can optimize your automated testing. Such practices cover aspects such as setting browser zoom levels, naming conventions, avoiding hard waits, selecting suitable locators, maximizing browser windows, executing logging and reporting, & leveraging parallel tests. 

3. Using LambdaTest’s Cloud-Powered Selenium Grid

This platform proffers a cloud-assisted Selenium Grid that enables you to execute tests across multiple OS and web browser amalgamations without the necessity for local infrastructure. This simplifies parallel execution, fast-tracks test cycles, and guarantees complete coverage.

By incorporating LambdaTest into your Selenium WebDriver system, you can accomplish more reliable, effective, and scalable automated testing.

Conclusion

Learning what is Selenium, selenium WebDriver locators, commands, & best practices is essential for crafting robust & manageable automated tests. In-depth know-how of multiple locator strategies like Name, ClassName, ID, Partial LinkText, LinkText, TagName, XPath, and CSS Selector is critical for precise communication with web components. Executing best practices, and incorporating the usage of concise locators, exceptional identifiers, and suitable wait mechanisms, improves test accuracy and effectiveness. By sticking to these principles, QA experts can guarantee that their automation efforts yield consistent and reliable outputs, thus contributing to the complete quality of the software development lifecycle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How can I manage dynamic components in Selenium WebDriver?

For robust components that might not be instantly accessible or have fluctuating attributes:

• Dynamic locators: Construct locators that can adjust to fluctuating attributes or use partial matches.
• Explicit waits: Utilize WebDriver’s WebDriverWait combined with ExpectedConditions to wait for precise situations before proceeding.
• How can I debug issues with locators in Selenium WebDriver?

To troubleshoot locator problems:

• Test locators: Assess locators in the browser console to confirm they return the projected components.
• Utilize browser developer tools: Scrutinize components to check locator accuracy.
• Add logging: Integrate logs in your scripts to capture locator info & find failures.