Java for Selenium WebDriver Automation

What is Selenium WebDriver

Selenium WebDriver is one of the most popular and widely used test automation tools for Web Application Automation. The best part of this framework is that it supports a wide range of programming languages like Java, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby.

Selenium WebDriver is a Script-based framework. So knowledge of any one of the programming languages mentioned above is mandatory to implement the Selenium framework for the Web Application Automation Test.

Why Java 

Selenium with Java is a widely used and preferred language by automation testers compared to other languages. Here are some of the reasons why Java take over the priority over other programming languages

• Selenium WebDriver is developed by Java.

• Nearly 77% of Selenium testers use Java, which makes knowledge sharing easier among them.

• There are a lot of readily available Test frameworks in Java-like TestNG

• Many of the Fortune 500 companies rely on Java to develop their applications.

How much java is required for selenium testing?

Understanding the basic programming concepts is enough to start with Selenium Automation. However, there is no limit to learning. 

Essentially we need to learn how to apply Java concepts, including operators, arrays, control statements, loops, and exception handling in order to develop an efficient and effective Selenium WebDriver Test Automation Framework.

Java Concepts to  Start with Selenium WebDriver Automation

• Structure and essentials of Java program

 You need to understand, what are the key components of every Java program. This structure is important. Next, you need to understand the development environment, compilation, and running of the program.

• Classes and Objects

Learn the concept of classes and objects. At this juncture, it becomes really important.

But don’t try and learn it in the beginning.

• Concepts of variables and Data Types

People find it difficult to understand this concept when they start. Need a little effort to learn that. Apart from primary data types, Java has special objects like String and Array considered as part of Datatypes.

• Loops and Conditional Statements

If-else, While, For loop, etc – These are java language essentials and help in building logic.

• Collections and Exception Handling

  These are the most important concepts when you start building Test Frameworks.

• File Handling

Managing Test Data in different formate of files including Excel Sheet and JSON, Writing Logs in a text file, Export test result into different formats all these needs to handle files, and Java have a very rich file handling mechanism. 

• Understanding OOPs Concepts 

Test Framework is hard to maintain when developed for large enterprises application. So creating a manageable structure is a must, understanding concepts in data abstraction, Interfaces, polymorphism helps to create reusable components in a manageable structure. 

            Not only for Java, if you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of one language, but you'll also find it easier to learn another language.

Apart from knowledge of programming languages, Choosing a correct development environment like IDE, Unit Test Framework and Reporting tools helps to achieve a high-quality Test Framework.

Happy Testing!