What is Selenium? Introduction to Selenium Automation Testing

Selenium has proved to be one of the best open-source test automation tools used for web application testing. Companies have gained quality work that helped them solve their testing- related issues amicably by using the platform of selenium. This tool can easily be used across different platforms and operating systems. In this article, you will get a brief introduction to Selenium automation testing.

What is Selenium?

It is an open-source test automation framework used for testing web applications across various platforms and browsers. Selenium scripts can be written in programming languages such as Java, Python, C#, PHP, Perl, Ruby etc.

“Selenium tool suite” consists of four important tools namely Selenium IDE (Integrated Development Environment), Selenium WebDriver, Selenium RC (Remote Control) and Selenium Grid.

Selenium IDE (Integrated Development Environment):

It is the simplest and easiest tool suite to learn. It comes with a Firefox and Chrome Plugin. It is mostly used as a prototyping tool. If there is a need for developing advanced test cases, then Selenium WebDriver or RC can be used. It can be easily installed and no programming experience is required. It provides support for extensions.

Selenium RC (Remote Control):

This tool provides a platform through which users can use any programming language as per their preference. RC supports programming languages such as Ruby, Perl, Python, PHP, C# and Java. It can perform conditional and looping operations. It supports data-driven testing and new browsers. It provides faster execution.

Selenium WebDriver:

It provides a stable and modern approach for automating the browser’s actions. The browser is controlled by directly communicating with it. WebDriver supports programming languages such as Ruby, Perl, Python, PHP, C# and Java. It can be easily installed and can be directly communicated to the browser. It provides a realistic browser interaction and faster execution.

Selenium Grid:

This tool is combined with Selenium RC, so that parallel tests can run across different browsers and different machines all at the same time. It uses the hub-and-nodes concept. The central source of selenium commands is a hub and each node is connected to it.

The strategic need for Selenium automation testing:

Following are a few key points that depict the need for using selenium automation testing:

· It is a platform-independent and open-source tool

· Less involvement of hardware is involved

· End-to-end application testing is backed up with excellent visibility

· Enhanced flexibility by using key features such as refactoring and test case regrouping

· The automation test suites can be tested and reused on a variety of operating systems and browsers

· Test scripts can be built and executed easily through the user-friendly interface

· It assures that the SDLC process is carried out in an agile and transparent manner among cross-functional teams.

The right context to use selenium:

Most of the developers and programmers who develop web applications and want to test them often can use selenium. Web programs that are developed by an individual can use selenium to test the applications and code. Visual regression tests can be debugged and performed by professionals as per the website or code requirements. In most of the scenarios, the QA engineer or QA analyst will be responsible to test web applications using selenium.

Scripts are written by QA engineers that can help in maximizing test coverage and accuracy to make changes in the project and maintain the test infrastructure. Test suites are developed by QA engineers that can identify bugs, using which they can inform stakeholders about project benchmarks.

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing selenium testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a reliable software testing services company that will provide you with a tactical testing roadmap that is in line with your project specific requirements.

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.