Python is currently more popular than other modern programming languages. The object-oriented, interpreted programming language is also very popular among developers around the world as a robust server-side scripting language. As Python allows developers to express concepts by writing less readable code, it becomes easier for programmers to significantly reduce development time. At the same time, developers also have the option of using popular web frameworks like Django to quickly build complex, high-performance Python web applications. However, developers still need to thoroughly evaluate the appearance, function, and performance of the Python web application to increase its popularity and profitability.
When testing Internet applications, developers have the option to choose from a number of browser automation tools such as PAMIE, PyXPCOM, windmill, SST, and Selenium. But most of the developers prefer Selenium over other frameworks to test their Python web applications efficiently. Unlike other web browser automation tools, Selenium allows test professionals to write test scripts in multiple languages, including Python, C#, Java, PHP, Ruby, and Python. Testers then have the option to test the Python web application by writing test scripts in Python. There are also a number of reasons why developers around the world use Selenium to test Python web applications.
Why do QA professionals prefer to use Selenium to test Python web applications?
Supports all major operating systems and web browsers
Currently, Selenium is supported by all major operating systems and web browsers. The framework currently supports Microsoft Windows and Linux. It is also compatible with the most popular web browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Opera. The compatibility makes it easy for QA professionals to test Python web application tools on multiple platforms and web browsers without writing separate code or using additional test automation tools. Selenium also comes with features to automatically generate and run test scripts on different web browsers and systems simultaneously.
Allows users to create a complete test automation suite
Selenium test professionals can create a complete test automation suite by combining Selenium WebDriver and Selenium IDE. They can use Selenium WebDriver to quickly build browser-based regression tests and automation suites. Also, they can scale and distribute the test scripts across multiple environments. The Selenium IDE, on the other hand, makes it easy for testers to quickly create error replay scripts. Therefore, QA professionals can combine different parts of Selenium to create a complete test automation tool, without the need for third-party or licensed APIs.
Run tests faster
To identify all bugs and performance issues in web applications, QA professionals need to test repeatedly and frequently. But the testers also have to complete all the tests in a limited time. Selenium enables test professionals to take advantage of cloud-based test grids to improve the performance of their test runs. In addition to optimizing the test infrastructure, these tools allow testers to run parallel tests. Thus, it becomes easier for testers to run tests quickly and repeatedly. Testers also have the option to choose from several open source cloud-based functional test grids to avoid higher project overhead.
Requires HTML basics
Selenium is compatible with several modern programming languages. But when testing a Python web application, it only requires basic HTML concepts. HTML is used to describe a web page, while individual HTML tags represent the content of the document. Therefore, HTML tags decide how content appears in web browsers. Selenium divides HTML elements or attributes into three distinct categories i.e. individual, group and custom. Locates individual items by their id, link, or link text, while group items are identified based on combined values or index property. Therefore, it is easier for testers to discover the location of the defect or bug. The feature makes it easy for them to pinpoint exact errors and performance issues quickly.
Help testers address maintainability issues
In addition to quickly creating and running test scripts, QA professionals must also maintain test cases effectively. Selenium helps testers overcome maintenance issues by structuring automated test code using a pattern called page objects. Page objects focus on the structure of the HTML code of a particular web page rather than checking how services are implemented. Therefore, testers can take advantage of page objects to easily locate code, navigate between multiple web pages seamlessly, and make changes only once. Since most of the Selenium code will be located within the page objects, testers can easily grow the code base without adding new Selenium code.
Provides the Selenium Python API
As noted above, Python supports several programming languages, including Python. Testers then have the option of writing test scripts in Python. Also, they can use Selenium Python API to write acceptance and functional tests by accessing Selenium WebDrivers like common, support, chrome, Firefox i.e. remote and phantomjs. The latest version of the API also supports multiple versions of Python, including 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, and 2.7. Also, it can be accessed simply by downloading and installing the Selenium Python bindings. Thus, an organization can leverage the skills of existing Python programmers to perform functional and acceptance testing efficiently.
Works with various testing frameworks
When testing Python web application with Selenium, QA professionals have the option of using various testing frameworks. Currently, the portable web browser automation framework works with Pytest, PyUnit, unittest and robot framework. As part of the Python 2.1 standard library, PyUnit allows testers to easily write tests and run multiple tests in text or GUI mode. Additionally, pytest comes with a number of features that help testers write better programs. Therefore, the QA professional can take advantage of these testing frameworks to ensure that the Python web application provides a flawless user experience across many web browsers.
Python is an open source programming language, while Selenium is an open source web browser automation tool. Therefore, organizations can use the programming language and web testing tool together to reduce project costs. However, the combination will allow them to test the application on all major web browsers within a stipulated period of time.