No doubt, Python is a preferred language among programmers worldwide. Selenium, on the other hand, is an ideal tool for automating web application testing. The Selenium-Python combination is quite promising since it enables you to write scripts for Selenium on Python very easily.
A comparison of Python with other programming languages suggests that it is less verbose. Further, Python APIs can be used with Selenium and Python scripts that run on multiple operating systems to connect users with browsers. A majority of the platforms like LambdaTest that provide Web Automation Testing Services support Python as their programming language of choice rather than using other programming languages. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the reasons to use Python to create test scripts in Selenium for automation testing and why it is so effective.
What is Selenium?
The Selenium testing framework is a free (open-source) tool for validating web applications across a variety of browsers and platforms. It is possible to create Selenium Test Scripts using a variety of programming languages, such as Java, C#, Python, etc. Tests performed with Selenium are commonly referred to as Selenium tests.
What is Python?
In terms of programming languages, Python is an interpretive language that deploys object-oriented, high-level semantics. Its data structures and dynamic typing features, as well as its ability to cast and bind objects, make it a very attractive language for Rapid Application Development, and it is ideally suited to use as a scripting language or the glue language that connects existing components.
Now because Python’s syntax is simple and easy to learn, it emphasizes readability and helps reduce maintenance costs. A key feature of Python is its ability to support modules and packages and to create modular programs. As well as the Python interpreter, the extensive standard library can be downloaded free of charge and is available in source and binary forms for most major platforms, and both are free to distribute.
The main reason why programmers are drawn to Python is the increased productivity that it offers. In addition, there is no compilation step involved in the edit-test-debug process, which makes it incredibly fast.
Top 10 Reasons To Use Selenium With Python For Automated Testing
There are many reasons why people prefer using Selenium with Python for automated testing. A few of the major reasons are discussed in detail here. So, let’s look at each of them one by one.
Framework SupportDevelopers consider Python to be the third most desired programming language, according to a recent survey by Stack Overflow. It provides an extensive test automation framework support system and is the most accessible and simplified programming language.
In recent years, Python has become more popular as a programming language for implementing Artificial Intelligence. A large number of Selenium Python frameworks are being used for cross-browser and automated browser testing. Due to the ease, they put when used together, Python selenium testing frameworks have seen an increase in their demand recently, so it is imperative to choose the right Selenium test automation framework for your needs.
To fulfill your Selenium Test Automation needs, let’s have a look at a few of the best Python Selenium Frameworks available.
a. PyTest Framework
Python Selenium is one of the most revered frameworks for automating scalable tests. Because it is open-source, developers, testing teams, and open-learning groups can easily access it. It supports functional, unit, and API testing. This package is compatible with Python versions PyPy3 and 3.5 and can be easily installed using the Python Package Manager command (pip).
Requirements:
- A small understanding of Python Selenium Framework is all you need to get started using PyTest.
- To install PyTest, you will also need a Python integration development environment along with the Python Packaging Manager, which is included in most Python distributions.
b. Robot Framework
There are many open-source Python Selenium frameworks available today, but Robot Framework is one of the best open-source Python Selenium frameworks to implement acceptance testing. A tester may also use acceptance in Test-Driven Development (TDD) or Robotic Process Automation (RPA) as part of an automated testing method.
Requirement:
- Python version 2.7.14 or higher is required to optimally utilize the capabilities of Robot Framework.
- To install this package, pip is used, which is a command that is included with the Python Package Manager.
- When using the Robot framework, you must download the PyCharm Community Edition development framework to be able to work with it.
c. Behave Framework
Software teams often use Behave to conduct BDD Testing using Python Selenium Framework’s latest version, 1.2.7.dev1. Behavior Driven Development (BDD), an agile software development methodology, allows business owners, testers, and developers to work together in a symbiotic manner. In terms of automation testing, it is similar to SpecFlow and Cucumber Framework.
Using Gherkin language, test cases are made business-understandable, thus supporting Business-Driven Development (BDD). This Python Selenium Framework is based on a fundamentally different BDD Framework than all other Python Selenium Frameworks.
Requirement:
- You will need Python version 2.7.14 or higher to run it.
- An understanding of any of the tools used in Behavior Driven Development
- Pip is needed for the installation of Python
- To work with Behave, you’ll also need a development environment like PyCharm or any other IDE you prefer.
- Open Source Availability
The availability of Selenium with Python as an open-source project adds to its advantages. The Selenium testing framework uses Python to automate test cases for browsers and web applications. A simple click of a button, the adding of content to structures, or skimming the site can easily be simulated using it.
Further, the Selenium and Python communities are constantly assisting developers and software engineers with automating web browser features and functions. Due to their open-source nature, both allow better code management and enhancement of predefined classes and functions.
Note: Selenium with Python develops a great support system that makes automated testing hassle-free.
- Python Selenium bonding
Using Selenium Python bindings, we can write functional acceptance tests with Selenium WebDriver, which provides an easy-to-use API for writing functional tests. It is possible to access a wide range of functionality of the Selenium WebDriver and intuitively make use of it using the Selenium Python API.
Furthermore, the Selenium Python Bindings can also be used to easily access various Selenium WebDrivers such as Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and many others. The Selenium-Python Binding enables users to automate browser actions using Python functions.
Tools required for Selenium-Python Binding
- Python
- Python Binding from Selenium
- Selenium Package
- Browser Drivers
Installation Of Python Binding for Selenium
Getting the selenium package from pip will allow you to install the Python bindings for selenium whenever you want. As part of its standard library, Python 3 comes with the pip package. Here is the command you can use to install it directly from there “pip install selenium.”
It is necessary to create isolated Python environments using virtualenv. Alternatively, you can manually download and install the Selenium-Python Binding from the PyPI Selenium Package page by following the instructions there.
When you are using a Windows machine, you will be able to directly install Python 3 by going to the website python.org and running it from the command line. For those of you who wish to install from Git, all you have to do is simply clone the repository from the official website. The Python code is available under the /py directory.
Support Across Various Operating Systems
The Python programming language runs on nearly all operating systems, including Mac, Windows, and Linux. This implies a very low learning curve, making Selenium automation scripts easier to write.
Selenium Python Combo Ease Things
Selenium Python automation testing is more convenient due to its ease of readability, ease of coding, and speed.
Popularity
Python is used by a large number of programmers. And it is highly demanded in the development market, making it the first choice for many programmers and students. Whenever a language is in high demand, students and developers are eager to learn it. There is no doubt in Python is a hot commodity right now.
For data science and programming projects, many programmers use Python. Thus, this fame is certainly a reason why developers choose Python with Selenium for automated testing.
Large Library
The great benefit of learning Python as your primary programming language (or even using it as a second or third language, depending on your preference) is the huge number of libraries you can incorporate into your code to enhance its functionality and extend its capability.
As the name implies, a library is a reusable piece of code that can be used to accomplish a variety of tasks, such as maintaining databases, manipulating images, performing equations, using regular expressions, etc.
Library-based software reduces coding errors, facilitates programmers’ efficiency, and minimizes software size (and lines of code). For a particular task, coders can instead call upon a library – often with just one line of code – instead of writing long lines of code.
Whenever we refer to a library, we are talking about a module or package. Python libraries provide extensive standards for automating test suites that can be used by testers.
Versatility, Efficiency, Reliability, and Speed of Python
The vast majority of python developers will unanimously agree when asked that python is a reliable, efficient, and incredibly fast language compared to most other modern languages. It is possible to use Python in a very wide range of environments, and one will never have to worry about the loss of performance no matter what platform he or she is working on.
Moreover, Python is a versatile language that can be used in a lot of different environments, including desktop applications, mobile applications, web developments, hardware programming, etc. The versatility of Python makes it an attractive choice for those interested in the use of Selenium with Python.
Run Faster
Several Python applications are extremely fast, and the indentation system is used to begin and end blocks in the code. A comparison with other programming languages, it is characterized by its simplicity and compactness as well.
Easy to Learn and Use
Python programming language is less verbose than other programming languages. Words are constructed in simple English, which is easy to comprehend. The ease of writing code makes Selenium with Python easy to read. Furthermore, it is dynamically typed.
Final Thoughts
Programming frameworks such as Selenium are very extensive and powerful. The tool can be used for automating the testing of web applications irrespective of the technology behind them.
At the same time, python can prove to be an ideal choice when it comes to automating Selenium tests with Python because it is easy to set up and use. As a result of its simple programming syntax, Python tends to be the preferred language by small and medium-sized businesses, as well as start-ups.
By using Python, you will be able to create the Selenium scripts in a much easier way than by using Java or any other programming language.
So now you have discovered that Python is the undisputed king of Selenium automation testing. Hence it is time to get your testing started with the Python Selenium automation framework.
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