Before the introduction of automation testing, web application testing was done manually to eradicate defects or errors. Even after extensive testing, web applications still included certain defects. Most defects are fixed before being introduced to the market, but the errors often reappear. Different versions of the same browsers make it extremely hard for developers to provide customers with a consistent user experience.
To overcome these manual challenges, Selenium automation can help you manage web application testing. It also allows you to run tests across various browsers using the Selenium Grid component.
Selenium is very important in helping you automate tasks using various programming languages such as Java, Python, C#, and more. There are many ways you can use Selenium to automate repetitive tasks by combining it with programming languages, such as Selenium with Java or Selenium with Python.
In this article, we will review Selenium, programming languages, and alternatives available today if you wish to know more about the same, tag along till the end.
More about Selenium
Selenium is an open-source software testing tool that has gained popularity among web developers over the past ten years. It provides a framework for application testing across numerous platforms and browsers.
Selenium has broken down the complex process of manual application testing into a much simpler task. This is because the programming languages supported by Selenium are mainly Java, C#, Python, and Ruby, which has made it easy for web developers across the world to access.
The four major components of Selenium are:
- Selenium IDE is short for Integrated Development Environment.
- Selenium remote control (RC)
- Selenium WebDriver
- Selenium Grid.
What makes Selenium stand out from the crowd?
Almost a decade ago, finding an efficient automation tool was a nightmare for software developers. This was because of the minimal availability of automation tools in the market. But the story is different now.
The advancement of technologies over the past few years has reflected in the development of several new tools for automation. Selenium was the first developed tool and is still popular and widely used among developers. But what caused Selenium to gain such popularity? The answer to this can be attributed to several key factors:
- Open source: Selenium, an open-source web automation tool, has become easily accessible to many developers and organizations. The more accessible it became, the more people talked about Selenium. This feature made Selenium popular and the first-choice tool among testers.
- Cross-browser compatibility: Different versions of the same browser make it difficult for web developers to provide their customers with steady-functioning software. One of the major advantages of Selenium is its compatibility across various browsers. Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, and many other popular browsers fall under this.
- Compatibility with multiple languages: Selenium is more lenient towards developers’ choice of programming languages, as it supports multiple languages. This, on the other hand, also improves user accessibility and ease of work.
- A huge community and ecosystem: As mentioned earlier, Selenium provides easy accessibility for web developers. Because of this, the number of users steadily rose shortly after its launch. The vast community and in-depth documentation have made tackling solutions for some common problems easy. Selenium also provides easy access to numerous plugins and integrations. All these played a huge role in the popularity gained by Selenium.
- Platform independence: Platform independence is considered one of the finest features of Selenium, as it provides the finest software qualities. Selenium runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux, which makes it compatible with the dynamic environment.
Optimizing Selenium testing scalability with LambdaTest
Scalability testing is non-functional testing where an application is tested to rate its potential to scale up or down numerous user requests and other performance attributes. Such testing will provide a clear-cut point of exactly where the software system stops scaling and what is responsible for the same.
Even though Selenium is a powerful automation testing tool, you can integrate it with various testing frameworks. For example, you can use Selenium with Java and run your tests using the JUnit testing. However, there is no guarantee that you will always achieve optimum testing results. Many users fail to achieve Selenium testing scalability as they encounter challenges and struggle to run tests effectively and reliably.
Setting up a compatible testing environment is a crucial requirement for testing scalability. Below are a few strategies and techniques to help you attain a reliable and maintainable testing environment.
Leverage Selenium Grid
When it comes to optimum testing, one of the popular questions is how to leverage the testing using Selenium. LamdaTest is one such platform that optimizes Selenium for cloud-based cross-browser testing. LambdaTest is an AI-powered test execution platform that lets you run manual and Selenium automation tests at scale with over 3000+ real devices, browsers, and OS combinations.
One can rely on the LambdaTest Selenium automation grid to attain end-to-end automation testing on a reliable and scalable Selenium infrastructure. LamdaTest online Selenium Grid supports various programming languages and frameworks, including Java, PHP, Ruby, Python, C#, and JavaScript.
LamdaTest also aids in fast-paced Selenium testing. The platform allows users to test any native Android or iOS mobile applications on real devices on the cloud or to select from many configurations as it supports Appium, EarlGrey, and XCUITest. It also provides a wide range of frameworks for automation testing. LambdaTest guarantees stability in the online environment by opting for real devices and official stimulators or emulators.
Moreover, it has a live interactive browser, faster-automated screenshot testing options, app interactive testing, specific test environment setup, website and application testing across fifty-plus geographies, and API for break-free testing. The testing platform also supports APK files, .ipa, .app, zip files, and public URLs for app testing. These count in, along with continuous testing using integration tools such as Jenkins, Circle CI, GitLab CI, and more.
- Cloud-based testing platforms: A cloud-based testing platform like LambaTest is the key to a steady testing environment. Cloud-based systems provide you with some added features and benefits. Lamdatest enables us to conduct parallel testing along with automatic test reporting, which makes it much easier to measure and manage your test environment effectively.
- Version control systems: VCS is the best choice for managing test scripts and similar artifacts, and it provides a smooth and easy rollback to the previous version. VCS is also used to bring collaboration among the team members.
- Virtual machines: If any particular test demands a particular hardware or software configuration, opting for a virtual machine is a brilliant choice, as it helps build an isolated test environment with easy cloning and resting ability. For efficient and consistent management of virtual machines, consider using tools like Vagrant or VirtualBox; they will ensure a steady test environment across your team.
- Infrastructure as code: Infrastructure as code, also known as IaC, runs using tools like Terraform or Ansible. They manage and monitor the test environment resources, including network configurations, servers, and databases. Any possible human error can be avoided by choosing IaC, as it provides consistent and controlled infrastructure management. Iac also reduces the risk of manual setup to nil.
Preferred programming languages in Selenium
Selenium testing tool supports a wide range of programming languages, including the ones mentioned below:
- Python: Python is an extensively used programming language. Because of its simplicity and readability, more people choose Python over any other. Over the past few years, python has become the favorite choice for Selenium binding as it is super easy, well-maintained, and extensively used by web developers and testers.
- Java: Regarding Selenium, java has always been on the front row because of its massive community support, reliable libraries, and many testing frameworks.
- JavaScript: It is another programming language well suited for users who prefer to work with a single language, as it is suitable for front-end and back-end users and it is easy to use.
- C#: C# binds well with Selenium; hence, it is an extensively used programming language among web developers.
- Ruby: Because of its simplicity, Ruby remains the first choice of many developers.
Comparison of the programming languages for Selenium
As there are quite a handful of programming languages available for Selenium, this could easily confuse the users on which one to choose. We will compare these programming languages under different key factors to make it easy for you.
- User convenience: As mentioned above. Python and JavaScript are the first choice amongst developers due to ease of use. Python is an ideal choice for CPU-intensive tasks. On the other hand, JavaScript blends well with real-time and dynamic interactions. The main objective behind developing these programming languages was to provide consumers with improved and speedy user engagement. Speaking of ease of use, java and C# are better suited for experienced users as the learning curve is quite steep.
- Potential: Even though Python has its advantages, due to its dynamic nature, the performance potential is slightly lower than that of Java.
- Community support: Java and Python, along with simplicity and readability, also have a vast and well-expanding community comprising extensive resources. In contrast, Ruby and C# have a smaller community support for Selenium.
- Compatibility: The type of programming language used for your projects has a huge role in deciding the compatibility with other tools.
Conclusion
Selenium has been an efficient and powerful automation testing tool for almost ten years. The number of users has steadily risen because of these uses and popularity. One of the most crucial components of Selenium is choosing the right programming language, as it can potentially alter the success rates of testing. The key features and objectives mentioned in this article will guide you and your team in making an informed decision and attaining scalable Selenium testing without facing any common troubles.