Appium, as an open-source, cross-platform tool, provides the capability to automate native, mobile web, and hybrid applications effectively. Companies relying on the iOS or Android SDK for their app development can seamlessly integrate and utilize Appium without encountering any complications. Notably, Appium automation simplifies the process of automating tests for mobile web apps accessible through mobile browsers. Given that Webview is a common component in many hybrid apps, Appium boasts several features that distinguish it from other options in the field.
What stands out most about Appium, apart from its robust and user-friendly nature, is its remarkable flexibility. The ability to execute test cases on various devices without the need to modify code for different platforms streamlines the testing process significantly. So, whether you are a novice or an experienced tester, Appium simplifies the automation of your app on both iOS and Android platforms. However, to maximize the efficiency of Appium, it’s advisable to explore various tricks and tips. We have compiled the most effective strategies to enhance your Appium automation testing outcomes, so continue reading for in-depth insights.
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Best Appium Automation Testing Tricks & Tips
Appium stands as a well-recognized open-source framework for automating mobile application testing, offering support for native, hybrid, and mobile web applications on both Android and iOS platforms. Below, you’ll find a compilation of valuable tips and techniques to maximize your efficiency when utilizing Appium:
Use Appium Logs
The Appium Server possesses the capability to generate a comprehensive information log and reporting system. Many find Appium Logs to be somewhat daunting. When executing a test script, a perplexing stream of logs emerges, providing insights into the ongoing test script, but often the details appear unclear and enigmatic. Well, it is advisable to acquire the skill of interpreting and utilizing Appium Logs effectively.
These logs offer valuable information, revealing details such as:
Error Stack Traces: The logs frequently include stack traces related to any errors that occurred during the test execution. These stack traces often serve as a valuable starting point when troubleshooting and identifying issues to be addressed in the application or test script.
Desired And Default Capabilities: The logs also display the desired and default capabilities specified in the test. These capabilities provide insights into understanding and modifying the behaviour of the Appium server
By default, the Appium log does not include timestamps to keep the log lines concise. However, if you initiate the Appium server with the “–log-timestamp” option, a timestamp will be added to the beginning of each line. This feature proves particularly helpful when attempting to identify the causes of sluggishness or potential bugs, as it allows for the easy identification of lines with longer execution times.
Run Tests On Real Devices
The number of newly released devices continues to grow exponentially each year, resulting in a challenge known as device fragmentation. This issue stands as a primary concern for every testing team when conducting application testing. To ensure that the application functions reliably across various devices, operating systems, and browser combinations and to avoid missing potential customers, it becomes imperative to deal with device fragmentation.
When it becomes necessary to perform tests across diverse devices, two potential options exist:
Using Emulators And Simulators: Emulators and simulators are generally easier to set up and are often considered more cost-effective. However, they may not always mimic the behaviour of a real device accurately. Thus, running test scripts on emulators or simulators does not guarantee the functionality of the application on the actual target device.
Using Real Devices Or A Real Device Cloud: Please note that conducting tests on real devices can be time-consuming due to device configuration and software setup; however, there is a superior alternative, and that is leveraging a cloud-based platform.
LambdaTest is an AI-powered test orchestration and test execution platform which, when combined with Appium, offers a seamless solution for mobile app testing. This combination ensures comprehensive app testing by covering diverse device configurations and operating systems, saving time and resources. It also facilitates parallel testing, enhances test coverage, and ensures better app quality by identifying and fixing issues across multiple devices and OS versions.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how users can use LambdaTest for running Appium tests:
Sign Up or Log In: You are firstly supposed to create an account on LambdaTest platform. In case you already have one you can choose the login option.
Access the Dashboard: Once you make a successful login you’ll be straight redirected to the Lambdatest dashboard.
Select Appium: Now to run Appium tests you are supposed to choose the “Appium” option from the dashboard.
Upload Your App: In this step you are required to upload the mobile application you want to test. Fortunately, LambdaTest supports both iOS and Android apps.
Configure Test Settings: Now select your desired setting for running the test. This includes selecting the operating system version, device or emulator, browser, and any other preferences for the test environment.
Write Appium Tests: You are required to be ready with your Appium tests in this step. Make sure your test scripts are completely compatible with the selected configuration.
Run Tests: Finally this is the step where you’ll be running the Appium tests through LambdaTest by executing your test scripts. LambdaTest makes sure to provision the selected configuration while executing the test.
Monitor Test Execution: LambdaTest supports various test execution monitoring features, So, that you can take screenshots, view logs, collect debugging information to solve issues which arise during test execution.
Use Continuous Integration And Delivery
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) practices hold utmost importance in the realm of app development and testing, especially when employing Appium. CI/CD entails the ongoing integration of code modifications into a central repository, followed by automated testing and deployment. This methodology ensures that any code changes are rigorously tested and seamlessly integrated into the primary application with utmost speed and efficiency.
In the case of e-commerce apps, which frequently involve intricate interactions spanning user interfaces, back-end systems, and databases, testing emerges as a pivotal stage in verifying the app’s correct functionality. Appium empowers developers to create automated tests that emulate user actions and interactions within the app, enabling them to swiftly pinpoint and rectify issues.
By incorporating Appium tests into a CI/CD pipeline, developers can guarantee that all code alterations undergo thorough testing before deployment. This proactive approach aids in the early detection of bugs and other issues, reducing the time and resources required for resolution. Furthermore, the integration of CI/CD with Appium empowers developers to promptly identify and address any problems that may surface during testing, mitigating the risk associated with deploying an application plagued by bugs or instability.
Use The Right Locators
In order to effectively test all the desired components of an application, Quality Assurance (QA) professionals must possess proficiency in various Appium locator strategies. After all, if the test scripts cannot identify the necessary elements, the entire automation process becomes futile. One common pitfall when crafting automation test scripts is the excessive reliance on XPath locators. When scripting, XPath can be employed in two distinct ways:
Absolute XPath: This represents the absolute path to the element and is highly specific to it. It delineates the path from the root to the targeted element. While this may seem advantageous, it has a notable drawback. Any alterations in the application can lead to changes in the absolute XPath of the element, necessitating updates to the test script every time a modification is made. This process is cumbersome and impractical.
Relative XPath: Unlike absolute XPath, this approach does not initiate the path from the root element. Instead, it commences with the desired element. Consequently, even if alterations are introduced in the application, the element can still be located.
Between the two options, when XPath is a necessity, relative XPath is the preferable choice. However, it’s important to note that XPath is generally discouraged for use in test scripts due to its slow element location during execution. The performance overhead varies across different browsers, with test script execution typically being the slowest on Internet Explorer. This divergence in execution time arises from variations in rendering engines and rules employed by different browsers. An alternative to XPath selectors that offer improved efficiency is Accessibility IDs. These locators find widespread usage in test scripts for Android and iOS applications and prove considerably easier and faster to use when compared to XPath.
Use Wait
The effectiveness of any test script hinges entirely on its ability to accurately identify the elements within the application and automate various test cases as per the specifications provided by the software development team. If the correct elements cannot be located, the test will yield a false negative result. Apart from using incorrect locators, one common reason for a test to inaccurately locate an element is the absence of wait commands. When the application has not fully loaded or experiences delays between pages for any reason, the script will be unable to employ the locator to find the element. To address such scenarios, the implementation of wait commands becomes crucial.
Two primary types of wait commands can be employed:
Explicit Wait: The explicit wait command instructs the Appium driver to pause and wait until the specified element is located before advancing to the next line of code.
Implicit Wait: The implicit wait command directs the Appium driver to wait for a predetermined duration while continuously searching for the specified element. This search continues until either the element is found or the allocated time limit expires. When multiple elements are presented to the command, it continues searching the page until at least one element is located or until the specified time duration elapses.
Use Visual Testing Tools
Visual testing tools can play a pivotal role in upholding the quality of apps subjected to Appium-based testing. These tools empower developers to automate the evaluation of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to pinpoint any visual disparities between expected and actual outcomes. E-commerce apps, in particular, demand a high level of precision in their GUIs, as any glitches or inconsistencies in the user interface can result in lost sales and customer dissatisfaction.
Visual testing tools offer developers the means to identify such issues at an early stage of the development cycle, ensuring that they are resolved before the app’s market release. By harnessing visual testing tools in conjunction with Appium, developers can also conduct testing across a range of devices and platforms, guaranteeing consistent performance of the app across various user environments. This, in turn, fosters a more positive user experience and bolsters overall customer satisfaction, factors that are indispensable for the success of mobile apps.
Use Page Object Model
Over time, applications typically undergo extensive updates and changes. As the application evolves, locators associated with specific elements may also undergo modifications, rendering them ineffective in previously written test scripts. This situation can be quite laborious and introduce significant rework for Quality Assurance (QA) professionals. Fortunately, this challenge can be easily addressed by implementing the Page Object Model (POM) design pattern when creating test scripts. In this approach, tests interact with the page’s user interface (UI) using methods from the page object class.
By adopting the POM design pattern, only the code within the page object requires modification if there are changes to the page’s UI. The test scripts themselves remain unaltered. Consequently, the locators utilized in the test script are decoupled from the test script itself. This ensures that modifications in locators do not necessitate extensive rewriting across all test scripts. The advantage lies in the fact that updates to accommodate the new UI can be confined to a single location, namely the code within the page object.
Conclusion
Becoming proficient in Appium automation testing can greatly enhance your capacity to deliver top-notch mobile applications. By incorporating the strategies and insights shared in this article, you can optimize your testing workflow, enhance test comprehensiveness, and ultimately elevate your team’s efficiency. Remember, it’s essential to stay abreast of the latest Appium functionalities and industry best practices, given the ever-evolving mobile landscape. With commitment and practice, you’ll evolve into a skilled Appium automation tester, contributing to your organization’s ability to provide flawless mobile experiences to users while simultaneously conserving time and resources.
