Automating Web Testing with Selenium

Introduction

Selenium Recorder, commonly referred to as Selenium IDE (Integrated Development Environment), is a user-friendly browser extension that allows users to record, edit, and replay test scripts for web applications. It is designed to be accessible to both novice and experienced testers, providing a straightforward way to create automated tests without requiring extensive programming knowledge.

Created a demo app to perform automated Selenium testing using Selenium IDE involves a series of steps.

Here’s a detailed outline of the process described, structured for clarity :

1. Install the Selenium IDE Extension and Start a New Project:
   • Add the Selenium extension to Google Chrome. Secondly, open and start a new project.
2. Set the Application URL:
   • In the Selenium IDE interface, locate the field to enter the URL of the application you want to test.
   • Copy the application URL and paste it into this field.
3. Begin Recording the Test:
   • Click on the “Record” button in Selenium IDE to start recording your test steps.
   • Navigate through your application and perform the actions you want to test, such as clicking buttons, filling out forms, or navigating to different pages.
4. Verify Text or Values:
   • If you need to test specific text or values, highlight the text or value you want to verify.
   • Right-click on the selected text/value.
   • In the context menu, go to “Selenium IDE” and select “Verify Text” or “Verify Value”.
   • Continue recording any additional steps if necessary.
5. Stop Recording:
   • Once you have completed all the actions you want to test, click the “Stop Recording” button in Selenium IDE.
6. Run the Test:
   • To execute the test, click on the “Run current test” button.
   • Selenium IDE will replay all the recorded actions.
   • Observe the test execution to see if all steps are completed successfully or if there are any errors.
   • The results will indicate whether the test was successful or if there were any issues.

Tips for Using Selenium IDE

• Use assertions to ensure critical conditions are met, halting the test if they fail
• Group test cases logically and create multiple test cases for different scenarios
• Use the debug feature to step through actions and identify issues when a test fails

Conclusion

Selenium IDE is a versatile tool for creating and managing automated test scripts, suitable for both beginners and experienced testers. It ensures thorough testing and enhances the reliability and quality of your web applications.