Selenium is a powerful tool that is widely used for automating testing in web applications. It allows developers to write scripts in different programming languages such as Java, Python, and Ruby to automate tasks in a web browser. In order to use Selenium effectively, it is important to understand the basic commands that are used in Selenium scripting. In this article, we will discuss the fundamental Selenium basic commands that are essential for automating web applications.
Table of Contents
Launching a Browser
The first step in automating a web application with Selenium is to launch a web browser. This is done using the webdriver.Chrome() or webdriver.Firefox() command, depending on the browser you want to launch. For example, to launch the Google Chrome browser, you can use the following code:
from selenium import webdriver
browser = webdriver.Chrome()
Navigating to a Web Page
Once the browser is launched, the next step is to navigate to a web page. This is done using the .get() method, which takes the URL of the web page as an argument. For example, to navigate to the Google homepage, you can use the following code:
browser.get("https://www.google.com")
Interacting with Web Elements
After navigating to a web page, you can interact with the various elements on the page. This is done using the .find_element_by_ method, which takes a locator strategy such as id, name, class_name, xpath, etc. as an argument. For example, to find the search bar on the Google homepage, you can use the following code:
search_bar = browser.find_element_by_name("q")
Performing Actions on Web Elements
Once you have located a web element, you can perform actions on it, such as entering text or clicking on it. To enter text in the search bar, you can use the .send_keys() method, and to click on a web element, you can use the .click() method. For example, to search for “Selenium basic commands” on Google, you can use the following code:
search_bar.send_keys("Selenium basic commands")
search_bar.submit()
Validating Results
After performing an action on a web element, you can validate the results to ensure that the action had the expected outcome. This is done using the .assertEqual() method in Python, or similar methods in other programming languages. For example, to validate that the title of the web page is “Selenium basic commands – Google Search”, you can use the following code:
assert browser.title == "Selenium basic commands - Google Search"
Closing the Browser
Once you have completed automating a web application with Selenium, it is important to close the browser to release system resources. This is done using the .quit() method. For example, to close the Google Chrome browser, you can use the following code:
browser.quit()Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering the basics of Selenium commands is crucial for those who want to be successful in automation testing. Understanding the different commands and how they work will help you to write more efficient and effective test scripts. From navigating web pages to finding elements, executing JavaScript, and more, Selenium offers a comprehensive suite of tools for automating web browsers.
However, it’s important to remember that Selenium basic commands are just the beginning. There is much more to learn about Selenium, including advanced commands and techniques for working with dynamic web pages and complex user interactions. But with a strong foundation in the basics, you will be well-equipped to continue your journey into the world of web automation testing.
So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced automation tester, taking the time to learn and understand Selenium basic commands will pay dividends in the long run. By continually expanding your knowledge and expertise, you will be able to take on more complex automation projects and make the most of the many powerful features that Selenium has to offer.
Thank you for reading, To follow more articles on automation testing, please visit the following link
