Automation testing massively boosts the test capabilities of the modern application development process. Using test automation, it is possible to run the testing and development processes side by side. So the app developers can forward the application to the production phase within a few days. Some of the most popular automation testing frameworks include Playwright, Cypress, and Selenium. In this list, Playwright and Cypress are relatively new in the market but have gained a lot of popularity due to their simplicity and rich features. Using Playwright testing, the application testers can improve the capabilities of the test cases while working with web-based apps. There is also the option to integrate 3rd party tools, libraries, and plugins for improved productivity.
So, with this article, we will explore some of the most useful capabilities that the application developers can define while implementing Playwright testing. We will also discuss the role of various cloud-based platforms in improving the accuracy and efficiency of the Playwright test cases.
Exploring Playwright and Automation Testing
Developed by Microsoft, Playwright is a popular node.JS library that allows application testers to automate multiple web browsers like Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit using a single API. So, the developers writing JavaScript code can use these APIs to navigate through URLs, create new browser pages, and interact with the elements present in a modern web application. Moreover, Playwright can also automate the Microsoft Edge browser as it is built on open-source infrastructure. Some of the major advantages of using Playwright for app testing are mentioned below:
- Playwright allows the application developers to implement end-to-end testing on modern apps. This is the process of ensuring the combined stability of all the app elements.
- The playwright is very simple and easy to use. This is one of the major reasons why many developers and testers have adopted this framework.
- Using this framework, Testers can launch headless browser instances natively. Headless browsers are those browsers that do not initiate the Graphical User Interfaces. It is a very efficient process as it reduces the stress on the test environment and allows to start multiple test instances at the same time.
LambdaTest and How It Benefits Playwright Testing
The application developers can utilize the full potential of Playwright testing with the integration of cloud-based platforms. LambdaTest is one such platform that allows AI-test orchestration and initiation. Using the LambdaTest real device testing cloud, the app developers can run the Playwright test cases on an online browser firm consisting of more than 50 browsers including Mozilla Firefox, WebKit, Edge, and many others. This real device testing cloud also supports the integration of thousands of real devices to improve the accuracy of the test reports.
Considering the modern app development standards, LambdaTest boosts Playwright testing in the following ways:
- Using this platform, the developers can also access legacy devices and older browser versions to widen their perspective user base. This is because there is a huge segment of customers who do not update their hardware or software.
- LambdaTest uses parallel test execution to initiate multiple test instances consisting of different combinations, machines, and configurations at the same time.
- After executing the Playwright test case, LambdaTest will generate a highly descriptive test report consisting of multiple screenshots, videos, and activity logs.
- Finally, LambdaTest provides a very elaborate support system for the new automation testing testers and developers. Some of the possible options include live chat, call support, and even 24-hour mail support. The developers can use this option to gain adequate information about various tools and features that are offered by this platform. It also has a huge community of members who can discuss among themselves on matters related to application development and testing.
Different Capabilities for Playwright Testing
By defining various capabilities while performing Playwright testing, the application developers can filter through their target audience. Some of the popular capabilities include device settings, browser settings, operating systems, and many others. Let us elaborately discuss how the app testers can use these capabilities for performing Playwright testing while using LambdaTest:
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browserName
Using this capability, the app developers can define the browser on which they want to run the Playwright test cases. Some of the common values of this capability include Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and many others. It is very important to remember that Playwright provides native support for Chromium, WebKit, and Firefox. The capability structure looks as follows:
const capability = {“browserName”: “pw-webkit”}
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browserVersion
The app developers can use this capability to define the browser versions on which they want to streamline the test cases. Some of the common browser versions include Chrome 83 and above, Edge 83 and above, and others. The structure of this capability will look as follows:
const capability = {“browserVersion”: “latest”}
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platform
It is useful for specifying the platform name specifically the operating system on which the app developers want to test their application. It is a vital step to improve the compatibility of the application platforms including Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac OS Monterey, Mac OS Big Sur, Mac OS Catalina, and many others. Using the following structure the app developers can define this capability:
const capability = { “LT:Options”: {“platform”: “Windows 11”,}}
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build
The build capability will be useful for representing the build number for running the test cases. A playwright sample build is a commonly used build on which the app developers begin the initial test cases. Using the following structure, the app developers can use this capability:
const capability = {“LT:Options”: {“build”: “<build_name>”,}}
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projectName
When the application developers are working with multiple app development projects, they need to keep track of the current project. So using that project name capabilities, the app developers can keep track of all the test cases that are related to that specific project. The following code structure will allow the app developers to use this capability:
const capability = {“LT:Options”: {“projectName”: “<project_name>”,}}
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name
The name capability will allow the app developers to focus on a particular test case that might be relevant to a high-priority element on the web application. In this regard, we would advise the app developers to name the test cases according to the target elements to easily keep track of the test cases. The following code structure will help initialize the test cases for this capability:
const capability = {“LT:Options”: {“name”: “<test_name>”,}}
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Tags
Using the tags capability, the application developers can group multiple Playwright Test cases according to the tags that are assigned to them. This process can allow to filtering of test cases that are similar and help improve the efficiency of the test execution process. The following code structure will define the test capability:
const capability = {“LT:Options”: { “tags”: [“tag1”, “tag2”, “tag3”], }}
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buildTags
“buildTags” is often considered as a subcategory of the tags capability. This is because by using this tag the application developers can filter out the test cases that have the same build. Using the following code structure the application developers can implement this capability:
const capability = {“LT:Options”: { “buildTags”: [“build1”, “build2”, “build3”] }}
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resolution
The resolution capability is one of the most unique additions in this segment. This is because instead of being a number value, it stores the data in the form of strings. Using this capability, the developers can specify the desktop resolution before initiating the Playwright test cases. It is also possible to filter out the test cases according to the target operating system like Windows or Mac OS. Using the following code snippet, the application developers can deploy this capability:
const capabilities = { “LT:Options”: {“resolution”: “2048×1536”,}}
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Network
This capability has a critical role in improving the compatibility of the test cases. This is because using the network capability, the application developers can ensure that the test cases keep track of the network logs. It can accept values that are either true or false. The following code snippet allows the developers to deploy the network capabilities:
const capability = { “LT:Options”: {“network”: true,}}
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Console
Similar to the network capability, the console capability can also be either true or false. It enables the browser console logs and allows the developers to quickly detect any crash of the application during the test case execution process. The following code snippet will enable the console logs during Playwright testing:
const capabilities = { “LT:Options”: {“console”: true,}}
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Video
Using the video capability, the app developers can enable video recording of the screen while the test cases are being executed. This will create a visual representation of the app’s functioning and also keep track of the errors. The following code snippet will allow the developers to deploy the video capability:
const capability = { “LT:Options”: {“video”: true,}}
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visual
Similar to the video capability, the visual capability also helps to simplify the test execution tracking process. This is because, with the help of this capability, the app testers can capture multiple screenshots during the execution process. The following code snippet will enable this capability:
const capability = { “LT:Options”: {“visual”: true,}}
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tunnel
This capability is very critical when the application developers are working with web applications that have local hosts. Using it, it is possible to initiate and execute local testing. The following code snippet will deploy this capability:
const capability = { “LT:Options”: {“tunnel”: true,}}
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tunnelName
while performing local testing, the application developers can use the “tunnelName” capability to specify the tunnel name and filter the test cases accordingly. The following code snippet will allow the app developers to deploy this capability:
const capability = { “LT:Options”: {“tunnelName”: “<tunnel_name>”,}}
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geoLocation
The requirements of the end users can vary depending on the geographic location. The geographic location will also have a dramatic impact on the available network capabilities. So, the app developers can use the “geolocation” capability to specify the country code for enhanced test compatibility. The following code snippet will allow the deploying of the “geoLocation” capability:
const capability = { “LT:Options”: {“geoLocation”: “AR”,}}
//AR stands for Argentina
The Final Verdict
With this article, we analyzed some of the capabilities that developers can use while implementing Playwright testing with Selenium. These capabilities will help to pinpoint the test cases on the target parameters and improve the test accuracy. To further utilize the capabilities for Playwright testing, the app developers can conduct market surveys to gather adequate information about the requirements of the target audience. So, this data will also be useful for configuring the app features to widen its compatibility. Finally, it is very important to choose the correct automation testing framework that suits not only the requirements of the test project but also the developer’s preferences. It is one of the most efficient ways of improving productivity.