How to Satisfy Complex Testing Requirements with Selenium Software Testing?

How to Satisfy Complex Testing Requirements with Selenium Software Testing?

We look at how Selenium can help you carry out complex testing requirements when testing an application.

Testing is one of the most crucial stages of app and website development.  Automation tools like Selenium can be used to test important KPIs by following a script. Within this article, we’ll be looking at how you can use Selenium testing to satisfy complex testing requirements, comparing automated and testing methods, and covering the best Selenium practices. If you would like to know more, check out the rest of the blog below.

Automated or Manual Testing

Browser testing is an important aspect of checking application functionality. Developers must test the application across multiple operating systems and browsers. When manual testing, the tester explores and evaluates the app according to a test plan, looking for defects. However, automated testing using Selenium carries out testing without human error with scripted steps. 

The major difference between manual and Selenium testing is who conducts the tests. However, it is sometimes difficult to choose one over the other. Other differences between manual and automated testing include:

  • Manual tests take longer for many applications
  • Automation is more reliable and accurate - no human error
  • Manual testing is more intuitive
  • Automated testing may cost more initially. However, you also benefit from a high return on your investment
  • Exploratory tasks are only conducted via manual testing; the likes of Selenium testing are better for performance-related testing (stress, load, or soak testing)
  • Manual testing may benefit smaller projects, where testing is only required once or twice
  • Manual testing may also be better for user interface tests

What Are Selenium Tools?

Selenium is an open-source suite of tools designed for automated testing of web browsers. Selenium offers users an interface to write test scripts using languages like Python, PHP, and C#. As such, Selenium testing lets users develop unique automated tests for numerous operating systems and browsers. The platform is customizable, adaptable, and compatible with current operating systems, testing frameworks, and browsers. In short, Selenium has become the go-to automation tool for many app testers.

Selenium consists of various projects, each offering something different for app testing. The Selenium ecosystem consists of:

  • WebDriver: This project runs tests dictated by APIs to control browsers. WebDriver uses the browser’s APIs as opposed to its own, testing the application in realistic conditions. 
  • Integrated Development Environment: IDE is a Selenium tool that lets users create complete Selenium test cases, where application users’ actions inside a browser are noted and translated into Selenium commands. This is an efficient way for Selenium testers to develop test cases. IDE saves a lot of time, is more efficient, and is also very easy to use. In addition, IDE improves your knowledge of Selenium script syntax.
  • Grid: This project allows testing on the operating system and browser combinations. Users can develop test cases in WebDriver in a local end, then use Grid to execute them in a remote end.
  • Remote Control (also known as Selenium 1): This was the primary Selenium project before WebDriver, IDE, and Grid were introduced. Selenium 1 is not as widely used anymore, but can still be used to develop certain complex test cases.

The most recent version of Selenium WebDriver was released in Spring 2021.

How to Use Selenium Testing for All Your Testing Requirements

There is no single way to automate testing. Selenium offers numerous design approaches and tools to test applications. However, you’ll find that different test cases can be used for certain applications. That being said, follow these points if you want to improve your Selenium WebDriver practices and successfully satisfy complex testing requirements.

  • Understand the Selenium framework as much as possible. SeleniumEasy and Selenium documentation is a good place to start.
  • Design a thorough plan detailing how the test should be implemented before running a test case.
  • Maximize your browser window. Selenium takes screenshots during automated testing. A larger browser window ensures clearer data.
  • Ensure that the zoom is always 100%. If your browser zoom changes to less or more than 100%, it may change the location of the mouse or certain in-app objects during the test.
  • Use a real device. Try to avoid emulators if you can; this will improve the accuracy of Selenium testing results.
  • Always start tests on a fresh page; refresh the page for every new test.

Selenium or Another Automation Framework?

In conclusion, Selenium is one of the most common ways to check an application’s performance. However, there are other automation frameworks like Puppeteer and Cypress that are also gaining traction. Cypress is a website tester built for the front-end, while Puppeteer is an automation framework that can only be used on the Chrome browser.

However, Selenium is much more complex, allowing developers to adapt its numerous features to suit their needs. The wide range of flexible integrations, in conjunction with Selenium’s open-source licensing, make Selenium an industry leader for test automation.

Posted by inGenium Ltd

inGenium Ltd

iNGENIUM Ltd. is an software development company from EU which delivers a full range of custom .NET, web and mobile solutions for different business to meet partner's demand.

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