Selenium has proved to be a highly efficient test automation tool and has been embraced by organizations worldwide. Selenium has specific test scenarios, where automation plays a crucial role. But, as per the strategic and professional advice of testing experts, all the test scenarios (depends on the project scope also) cannot be tested by selenium. This is simply because selenium comes with certain limitations. Though automation testing is considered to be a feasible and effective testing solution, but, it is not considered to be a wise move to automate everything.
In this article, you will get to know about a few scenarios you should never automate with selenium.
Following are the five scenarios you should never automate with Selenium:
1. CAPTCHA: On most websites, in order to verify whether the user is a bot or human, CAPTCHA verification is used. CAPTCHA prevents automation from performing. Selenium cannot use CAPTCHA verification. In order to automate CAPTCHA from automating with Selenium, the following are a few key points that need to be considered and worked upon:
Adding up a hook, so that a specific test can divert the CAPTCHA
The software that has been tested should be configured in a way that can disable CAPTCHA in the test environment
In the test environment, CAPTCHA can be made an option, so that even if the CAPTCHA is skipped, the test can run smoothly.
2. Performance testing: Selenium WebDriver can create real-time scenarios for performance test execution, but, still, favorable results cannot be yielded. WebDriver tests are subjected to extrinsic and intrinsic fragility points like instrumentation penalty of browser start-up speed, HTTP server speed, the response of JavaScript, CSS third-party servers, WebDriver implementation etc.
3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Applications generate OTPs, Push messages etc., by using an authenticator and then through the medium of SMS or Email, OTP is sent. It’s quite challenging to integrate it with Selenium WebDriver. Adding up another layer that is not secure takes place. Organizations do not automate OTP submission, but, the following factors can be considered for implementation:
Disabling 2FA in the test environment, while the tests are still being run
Disable 2FA, when specific IPs are used for the purpose of logging in
Automated tests that run by using specific user credentials should be disabled by 2FA.
4. Visual testing: Visual automated testing or Screenshot testing is used to ascertain whether the GUI is built as per the end-user requirements. Selenium can capture the screenshots of the full page and the web elements. On different devices, the look of the page needs to be checked with different resolutions. The visual testing tool is considered to be a much better option than using Selenium. Screenshot capturing is one aspect, but, when images need to be visually compared, then it becomes an entirely different process and Selenium cannot prove to be effective.
5. HTTP response codes: These are standard response codes provided by website servers on the Internet. The cause of the problem can be identified by codes, especially when a specific resource or web page does not load properly. In automated functional testing, checking the status code is not considered to be an important aspect of a test’s failure, rather the steps that were executed before it is considered to be important.
API testing is a strategic move and can be kept at this layer. WebDriver is not an API testing tool. Hence, libraries such as RestSharp (.NET), fetch (JavaScript) and REST Assured (Java) can be used.
Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing selenium testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a professionally acclaimed software testing services company that will provide you with a strategic 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.
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