The application development practices have changed a lot to keep up with the revolutionary standards of the modern app development industry. Automation testing has become one of the most dominant trends in this segment as it not only helps boost the testing efficiency but also has a role in improving the app quality. While we are on the topic of automation testing, we cannot complete our discussion without the context of Selenium. This is because it is one of the most popular names in this segment and has managed to remain so for over 10 years now. The proper integration of Selenium automation testing also helps improve the coordination between the development and testing teams of a company.
With this article, we will explore some of the best test automation practices for Selenium automation testing. Using these practices, the developers can not only improve the efficiency of the overall testing environment but also utilize the full potential of their tools, plugins, and other dependencies.
Exploring Automation Testing
Modern applications consist of thousands of different elements that require individual testing. Using contemporary manual test cases, it would take several months to complete these test instances. However, with the deployment of automation testing, app developers can automatically conduct the test cases by predetermined automation test scripts. These scripts will allow the system to replicate human interactions while communicating with the application undergoing the development project. The app developers can also implement the necessary changes to further boost the testing instances.
The proper implementation of modern automation testing can help new app development projects in the following ways:
- Using automation testing, the system can automatically run all the repetitive test cases like regression testing and unit testing. So, the developers will have adequate time to focus on the creative areas of the project like developing new features.
- Automation testing is highly accurate and can run 24 hours round the clock even on non-business days. This is possible due to the elimination of human intervention.
- While using automation testing, the app developers can deploy additional tools and dependencies for improving the quality of the application undergoing the development project.
- Automation testing also contributes to improving the company resources by eliminating the requirements of having an on-site manual testing team.
Understanding Selenium Automation Testing
Coming to Selenium, we can say that it is an open-source test suit to verify the proper functioning of modern web apps. Selenium is an umbrella project that consists of different tools that help at different stages of the application testing cycle. The core infrastructure of Selenium works on the JavaScript programming language that eases the transition process.
Using all the tools present under the Selenium test suit, the app developers can boost the test cases in the following ways:
- To deploy advanced codeless automation testing, the developers can rely on the Selenium integrated development environment. Using this tool, the system can analyze user interactions in real-time and automatically generate test cases. So, for the test case creation process, the developers simply have to use the app like a normal user.
- In case the developers prefer to create their test scripts, they can perform this process using the Selenium client API. This tool provides access to various renowned programming languages like JavaScript, Python, and Ruby for the test case creation process. Using this tool, it is also very simple to import the test cases in the native environment of Selenium.
- After the developers have created their Selenium test scripts, it is time to execute them using the Selenium WebDriver. This tool can analyze the testing parameters and capabilities for forwarding them to the target web app elements for the execution process. The Selenium WebDriver can also initiate the test cases in the native environment of a browser without the involvement of any test engine.
- Finally, Selenium also has a dedicated tool for improving the efficiency of the test cases. Using the Selenium Grid, app developers can use parallel test execution to initiate multiple test instances on different configurations and machines at the same time. This tool can also initiate automated cross-browser testing on the web apps.
Best Practices for Selenium Automation Testing
Based on our research and current standard of app development, we have created a list of some of the best practices that can boost Selenium automation testing:
- Planning the Complete Automation Testing Strategy:
Before beginning the automation testing process, the app developers should properly plan all the required strategies, elements that require automation testing, and the use of multiple tools. This plan will help them to avoid any surprises during the application testing process.
- Choosing the Perfect Automation Framework:
In the current app development market, there are thousands of tools that are easily available in the market for the integration of automation testing. However, all of these tools are unique and serve a specific type of app. So, depending on the requirements of the app development project and their preferences, Selenium developers must choose the correct tool like TestNG or JUnit.
- Implementation of Parallel Testing:
Modern applications consist of thousands of different elements that need to be tested. So instead of deploying individual testing, the app developers can use parallel testing to complete all the test cases within a few days. In this process, the system will act like a hub that will communicate with the nodes at the same time. Here, each node represents the elements of the web application.
- Use of Cloud Testing:
Cloud testing can eliminate the hassle and expense of maintaining a physical device lab for real device testing. This is because cloud platforms like LambdaTest can perform all the test cases and provide similar results using remote servers. Some of the other benefits of cloud platforms include access to legacy devices and the elimination of geolocation barriers.
- Implementation of Data-Driven Testing:
The developers need to parametrize their tests using different data sets. This will help them maximize the test coverage and ensure that the application maintains its stability and functionality even when it is exposed to different use cases. Data-driven testing also helps app developers to reuse a huge section of the existing test data.
- Use of Waits and Timeouts:
Modern applications consist of thousands of different elements that depend on each other. Therefore, the app developers have to implement technologies like explicit wait, implicit wait, and time out. Using this process, the system can automatically pause the test case for a specific period and resume it thereafter. Using these methods will help eliminate common errors like false positives and false negatives.
- Logging and Reporting Test Results:
During the test execution process, the application developers need to log and report the test results. It will help them to keep track of all the bugs and errors that might be present in the core infrastructure.
- Using Continuous Integration:
Using continuous integration, the app developers can improve the coordination between the development and testing teams while using Selenium automation testing. So, they can quickly detect the bugs as soon as they appear in the core infrastructure of the application. This process will also help the app developers to substantially reduce the overall testing cycle for the app.
- Deploying Regular Maintenance:
The Selenium testers need to keep their automation test scripts up to date according to the changing standards of the industry. For this process, they must regularly review and update the test script. It will also help them to reflect all the crucial user interface modifications or functionality updates in the app.
- Use of Training and Documentation:
Before executing automation testing, the app developers need to learn all the methods, tools, and other features available with Selenium. It is also important to go through the documentation available on the official website to boost the understanding of the modern features of Selenium. By deploying proper training and documentation, the app developers can maintain the coding standards, and best practices and use certain guidelines for the automation suit.
LambdaTest and its Influence on Selenium Testing
As we already mentioned earlier, LambdaTest is an AI-powered test orchestration and test execution platform for executing cross-browser testing on web apps. Using this platform, the developers can use artificial intelligence-integrated methods for orchestrating and executing the Selenium test cases. It also combines the test reports from various real devices and browsers to boost their accuracy.
The following features will justify the integration of LambdaTest while modern Selenium test cases:
- Using the LambdaTest real device testing cloud, the app developers will not only have access to thousands of modern devices but also legacy devices and older browser versions. This process massively helps to boost the accuracy and compatibility of the application.
- While using Selenium, LambdaTest can run the test cases on more than 3000 browser instances at the same time using parallel test execution.
- While working with Selenium automation testing, LambdaTest can execute various modern test cases like end-to-end testing, data-driven testing, and even behavior-driven development.
- While using Selenium, LambdaTest also allows the app developers to configure the test capabilities like selecting the target browsers, operating systems, and device platforms. We have mentioned a sample code that will help the developers to parameterize all these factors:
- After executing the test cases, LambdaTest generates a detailed test report consisting of vital information like screenshots, videos, and test activity logs. Using these data, the app developers can easily find the faulty element to perform the required troubleshooting process.
- LambdaTest also comes with an elaborate documentation process that illustrates all the required methods and tools using simple languages and sample test cases. It also has a support system that consists of over-the-phone support, live chat, and even a mailing feature. So, using all these options, app developers can get adequate information whenever they are stuck with any feature. For the discussion of the automation testers and developers, LambdaTest also has a dedicated community.
The Conclusive Views
With this article, we tried to explore some of the most important practices that can help application developers uplift the standard of their app development projects. It is also important for the developers to constantly update themselves regarding all the new trends and innovations that are coming in this market. As the requirements of the target audience are constantly changing, the developers need to monitor them to ensure that they can serve a wider section of the end users. Factors like these play a critical role in creating a positive image for the brand and helping it maintain its position in this competitive segment. While choosing the automation testing framework, the developers should also consider their preferences along with the requirements of the app project.
