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What is Selenium?

Priya Pedamkar
Article byPriya Pedamkar

What-is-Selenium

Introduction to Selenium

Selenium is the broadly used open-source selection from various options available for the software Test Automation process. Unlike other tools, it offers an Automation Framework for testing any web application. Selenium automation supports all browsers and can be implemented using various programming languages such as Java, .net, PHP, Python, Perl, etc. As Selenium also consists of a replay feature for enabling functional test scripts, one doesn’t even need to have deep knowledge of programming languages. Moreover, enrolling in a selenium course provides a structured approach to mastering this tool.

Understanding

It is a suite of software, each having different approaches to support the testing.

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It has four components:

  • Selenium Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
  • Selenium Remote Control (RC)
  • WebDriver
  • Selenium Grid

Components

Now let’s see each component briefly:

1. Selenium IDE

Shinya Kastani of Japan created it. It is a Firefox plugin to create test cases faster. It can automate the browser using the record – and – playback feature. In this test, cases are created by recording the user’s interaction with the web browser, and then these test cases can be played back any number of times. It has the advantage that recorded test cases can be exported in different programming languages, but it is used as a prototype for writing only simple test cases.

2. Selenium Remote Control

Paul Hammant created it to overcome the issue of SOP (same-origin policy). This policy prohibits JavaScript code from accessing the elements of the domain other than the parent domain. Paul created RC as an HTTP proxy to make the browser believe that the Selenium core and web application to be tested is from the same domain. It is also called Selenium 1.

3. WebDriver

Simon Stewart created it in 2006. It was the first testing framework that was cross-platform, and that could control the browser from the OS level. It is more efficient than both the Selenium IDE and RC as it is faster than both. It does not rely on JavaScript for automation and directly communicates with the browser to control it.

4. Selenium Grid

Patrick Lightbody developed it. Users use it together with Selenium RC to run tests on remote machines. It can run parallel tests (multiple tests) across different browsers and machines at the same time. It saves time and increases efficiency.

Working with Selenium

It is a web application testing software suite comprising four components. While working with it, the first task is to appropriately choose the right tool among the four according to your needs.

Now we will see when to work with which tool:

1. Selenium IDE

  • Use to create simple test cases that can be exported to RC or Driver later.
  • Use to test web applications against Firefox.
  • Use when you have little or no prior knowledge of programming.

2. Selenium Remote Control

  • Use it when you want to run your test against different browsers.
  • Use when you want to test your web application against a new browser that supports JavaScript.
  • Use when you test across multiple environments using  Grid.
  • Use it when you test your web applications with AJAX-based scenarios.
  • Use when you use a language other than Selenese.

3. WebDriver

  • Use when you want to use a programming language to design your test cases.
  • Use when you want customized results.
  • Use when you want to test web applications having AJAX-based functionalities.
  • Use it when you want to execute tests on the HtmlUnit browser.

4. Selenium Grid

  • Use it to run your Selenium RC scripts simultaneously in different browsers and operating systems.
  • Use to run a huge test suite.

Advantages

  • Flexibility
  • Extensibility
  • Open source, no licensing cost
  • Supports test scripts written in various programming languages
  • Test case execution on multiple operating systems
  • Parallel and distributed testing
  • Supports many browsers
  • Non-programmers can also use it by using the record and playback feature

Required Skills

Why Should We Use Selenium?

  • It can be operated on almost every operating system.
  • It is cost-effective.
  • It supports multiple programming languages like Java, C#, Python, Pearl, Ruby, PHP, and .NET.
  • Test scripts can be developed in any of the languages that support them.
  • It supports browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari, Chrome, and Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8.
  • Many numbers of robust methods for the location of elements like DOM.
  • It is easy to implement frameworks related to object-oriented programming.
  • It supports the integration of frameworks such as JUnit, NUnit, and many more.
  • It supports Parallel testing.

Scope

In today’s time, Automation Testing is leading in the market. It has a broader scope for technical people or people who want testing as a profession. The trend is continuously changing, and it is making its way into this change as it is open-source, and anyone can contribute and learn it quickly.

The people involved in manual testing find it very efficient. It would help them convert written test cases into automation scripts, reducing the time and increasing efficiency.

Who is the Right Audience for Learning Selenium Technologies?

Anyone who knows to program can learn Selenium. Before learning this technology, You must learn any programming language, preferably Java or C#. Non-programmers can use IDE, but it would be efficient if some prior knowledge of any programming language is available.

How will this Technology help you in Career Growth?

There is huge growth in the career as far as Selenium is concerned. The average salary of a software tester ranges from $45,993 to $ 74,935 in the US. Regarding India, it ranges from Rs 247,315 to Rs 449,111.

Conclusion

If you are interested in automated web application testing, then Selenium is the best option. Its popularity is increasing with an increase in its use. So it must be the first choice to learn for people interested in being an automation tester.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to What is Selenium? Here we discussed the components, working, skills, career growth, and advantages of Selenium. You can also go through our other suggested articles to learn more –

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