Selenium cross-browser testing makes sure that, regardless of the browser used to access it, web programs look and behave consistently. Utilizing Selenium, you may write test scripts in a variety of programming languages, including Java, Python, PHP, etc. You may test your web applications using many browsers, including Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer (IE), Edge, and Opera.
What is Cross Browser Testing in Selenium?
Cross-browser testing involves examining a website’s performance on various browsers, such as IE, Chrome, and Firefox, to see how well it performs in each. Cross-browser compatibility refers to a website’s or web application’s ability to run on many operating systems and browsers.
Manually examining a webpage in many browsers, however, is incredibly time-consuming. Imagine that 100 test cases must be manually executed. Suppose, however, that five distinct browsers must each undergo identical tests. An exponential increase in time is required. These tests can, however, be run simultaneously and in a lot less time if they are automated with Selenium. A problem brought on by human error will also be avoided.
What is Selenium?
Selenium is an open-source automation testing framework that allows you to automate web browser actions. It supports various programming languages like Java, Python, C#, etc., making it a versatile tool for testing web applications.
Why Cross Browser Testing Matters
Cross-browser testing is essential for several reasons:
- Diverse User Base: Your website or application is accessed by users on different browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Each browser interprets code differently, which can lead to inconsistencies in how your site displays and functions.
- Bug Identification: Cross-browser testing helps identify and rectify browser-specific bugs, ensuring a consistent user experience for all visitors.
- Enhanced User Satisfaction: A seamless experience across all browsers boosts user satisfaction and trust in your brand.
Now, let’s delve into the steps for cross-browser testing using Selenium.
How to do Cross Browser Testing using Selenium?
For a variety of functionalities, Selenium is the most widely used automated testing tool, as was already noted. The following procedures can be used to perform cross-browser testing, one of the Selenium features that Selenium supports:
Step 1: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari browsers can be used to automate test cases. Selenium WebDriver is also useful.
Step 2: A TestNG framework can be connected with Selenium WebDriver to run test cases across several browsers on the same computer simultaneously.
Step 3: Draft the test cases. Code is provided in the post to test the Software Testing Study Material home page on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
package test;
import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.edge.EdgeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.firefox.FirefoxDriver;
import org.testng.annotations.BeforeTest;
import org.testng.annotations.Parameters;
import org.testng.annotations.Test;
public class CrossBrowserTestingScript {
WebDriver driver;
/**
* This function will execute before each Test tag in testng.xml
* @param browser
* @throws Exception
*/
@BeforeTest
@Parameters("browser")
public void setup(String browser) throws Exception{
//Check if parameter passed from TestNG is 'firefox'
if(browser.equalsIgnoreCase("firefox")){
//create firefox instance
System.setProperty("Path of your gecko driver");
driver = new FirefoxDriver();
}
//Check if parameter passed as 'chrome'
else if(browser.equalsIgnoreCase("chrome")){
//set path to chromedriver.exe
System.setProperty("Path of your chrome driver");
driver = new ChromeDriver();
}
else if(browser.equalsIgnoreCase("Edge")){
//set path to Edge.exe
System.setProperty("Path of edge driver”);
driver = new EdgeDriver();
}
else{
//If no browser is passed throw exception
throw new Exception("Incorrect Browser");
}
driver.manage().timeouts().implicitlyWait(10, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
}
@Test
public void testParameterWithXML() throws InterruptedException{
driver.get("https://www.softwaretestingstudymaterial.com/");
WebElement Login = driver.findElement(By.linkText("Sign in"));
//Hit Signin button
Login.click();
Thread.sleep(4000);
WebElement userName = driver.findElement(By.id("user_email_login"));
//Fill user name
userName.sendKeys("your email id");
Thread.sleep(4000);
//Find password'
WebElement password = driver.findElement(By.id("user_password"));
//Fill password
password.sendKeys("your password");
Thread.sleep(6000);
WebElement Signin= driver.findElement(By.(id("user_submit"));
//Hit search button
Signin.click();
Thread.sleep(4000);
}
}Across the setup of the corresponding browsers’ system properties, the code above attempts to access the Software Testing Study Materials page across three distinct web browsers. Write the testng.xml file now so that the test cases can be run.
The code in this XML file provides various classes for the drives to instantiate browsers in order to run test cases on the website. That’s how it functions.
Why Cross-Browser Testing Matters
Before diving into best practices, let’s briefly understand why cross-browser testing is so crucial:
- Browser Diversity: There are numerous web browsers in use today, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and more. Each browser has its quirks and rendering engines, making it essential to test on multiple platforms.
- User Experience: Your users could be accessing your website from various devices and browsers. A seamless experience on one browser might be disastrous on another. Cross-browser testing ensures a positive user experience for all.
- Compatibility: To cater to a broad audience, it’s essential to ensure your website is compatible with different browsers. A bug or inconsistency in one browser can lead to a poor user experience and even lost customers.
Best practices for efficient cross-browser testing in Selenium:
1. Choose the Right Browsers
Not all browsers are created equal, and you don’t need to test on every available browser. Start by identifying your target audience and the most commonly used browsers among them. Focus your testing efforts on these browsers to maximize efficiency.
2. Set Up a Selenium Grid
Selenium Grid allows you to run tests concurrently on multiple browsers and platforms, which significantly speeds up the testing process. You can set up your own Selenium Grid or use cloud-based solutions like BrowserStack or Sauce Labs for a more extensive range of browser configurations.
3. Maintain a Library of Test Scripts
Instead of creating new test scripts for each browser, maintain a library of reusable test scripts. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency in your testing process.
4. Implement Explicit Waits
Different browsers may load elements at varying speeds. Implement explicit waits in your Selenium tests to ensure that elements are present and ready for interaction before performing actions. This helps avoid flaky tests due to synchronization issues.
5. Use Browser Specific Capabilities
Leverage browser-specific capabilities in Selenium to configure the browser’s settings and behavior. This allows you to fine-tune your tests for each browser, addressing browser-specific issues effectively.
6. Regularly Update WebDriver and Browsers
Selenium WebDriver and browsers are constantly evolving. Ensure you keep your WebDriver and browsers up to date to benefit from bug fixes, improved performance, and enhanced compatibility.
7. Parallel Test Execution
Parallel test execution is a game-changer for cross-browser testing. It allows you to run multiple tests concurrently, reducing test execution time significantly. Selenium supports parallel execution, and it’s a practice worth adopting.
8. Cross-Platform Testing
In addition to cross-browser testing, consider cross-platform testing. Test your website on different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) to ensure a seamless experience for users on various devices.
9. Visual Regression Testing
Visual regression testing tools like Applitools Eyes can help you detect visual differences between browsers. This ensures that your website’s appearance remains consistent across different browsers.
10. Continuous Integration (CI) Integration
Integrate your cross-browser tests into your CI/CD pipeline. This ensures that tests are automatically triggered with each code change, allowing you to catch and fix issues early in the development process.
Conclusion
Cross-browser testing is an indispensable aspect of web application testing, and Selenium is a powerful tool to accomplish this task efficiently. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your website delivers a consistent and flawless user experience across a wide range of browsers and platforms. Embracing these practices will not only improve your testing process but also enhance the overall quality of your web applications. So, start implementing these strategies today and watch your website shine across the browser landscape.
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