Open-source test automation frameworks incorporate the most effective software testing techniques, tools, assumptions, and libraries that may be utilized by many teams.
Aside from Selenium test automation framework, another prominent automation testing tool is Cypress.io.
The Installation
Test Automation Open Source Tool
Running Automated Tests Across Browser Vendors
The Structure
Selenium RC vs. Cypress IRC
Automation Testing for Developers and Quality Assurance
Which Automation Solution Should You Use?
Choosing the best automated testing solutions is critical. As a result, it's critical to understand the key distinctions between the features that Selenium and Cypress.io brings.
The Installation
Cypress does not require any settings upon installation. You only need to run the.exe file, and all dependencies and drivers will be installed and setup automatically. That means you'll be up and running in a matter of minutes.
Selenium, on the other hand, is not as basic as Cypress. It is important to install the language binding as well as configure the appropriate drivers for it to operate.
So, if you're searching for an automation solution that's simple to set up, Cypress is the better choice.
Test Automation Open Source Tool
Selenium and Cypress are both open-source technologies. Cypress, on the other hand, has a paid function.
There are no limitations to the Cypress test runner. You may test cases, update the reporter, and even develop a plugin that returns a pass/fail – and all of this is free and open-source under the MIT license.
If you purchase the premium service, you will be able to access the Cypress dashboard. This, however, is a value-added service that is optional. That is, if open source is important to you, both automated testing options will work.
The Structure
Selenium operates outside of the browser, executing remote commands via the network. In general, the underlying instructions are distant. The automation scripts execute commands into the browser while running outside of the browser. It cannot, however, grasp the reactions to events fired in a single runtime loop.
Cypress takes a unique approach. The test script runs within the browser and follows the same run loop as your application. It also makes use of a Nide.js server to handle all essential activities outside of the browser.
Having said that, Cypress can deliver more consistent results since it understands everything that happens both within and outside the browser. This also allows you to have native access to each item without having to deal with over-the-wire protocols or object serialization. You may import your app into Cypress.
Furthermore, Cypress allows you to simply drop a debugger into your spec test code or application, making it much easier to employ software development tools as necessary.
Cypress IRC versus Selenium RC
Cypress IRC differs from Selenium RC in that it can run inside the browser and perform unit testing, parallel testing, and other nice stuff. However, you may need to go beyond JavaScript on occasion. In these circumstances, Cypress employs a similar underlying browser automation API as Selenium WebDriver. It performs the same function, but with certain limits on the sorts of instructions that may be used.
Automation Testing for Developers and Quality Assurance
Selenium is intended for both tester-type engineers and QA developers, whereas Cypress is intended mostly for developers. Cypress users are typically QA engineers or developers who are building online applications with JavaScript frameworks. Some JavaScript developers who have tried both automated testing solutions have fallen in love with Cypress.io.
Brian Mann and Randall Kent, the creators of Cypress, designed this automated testing solution in response to developer complaints about writing test scripts and functional testing. Some developers even complain that their regression tests are unreliable and sluggish to utilize as TDD. Cypress.io is a developer-focused test automation tool that can assist developers in developing Cypress tests for the web.
So, if you want a technology that can compete with your testers, Selenium is unquestionably the better option. However, if you are primarily a front-end developer, Cypress is a better choice.
End-to-end test automation that is easy to maintain
As we discussed in a previous blog post, about Maintaining End-to-End Testing using Cypress with TestQuality, where we showed how one of our customer began building up test automation using Cypress once they had sketched out the manual tests they intended to run on a regular basis - roughly a hundred in total. Cypress is an excellent tool for performing end-to-end testing. It automatically records videos of test runs, and its test runner is Google Chrome, which almost all engineers are acquainted with. It also captures the activities it performed on the DOM on video, providing you with clear, visually debuggable recordings of failed test runs. It's a fantastic tool right out of the box.
Integrating Cypress Test Runs and Results with TestQuality
Which Automation Solution Should You Use?
Despite the fact that Selenium and Cypress are both automated testing tools, they differ in terms of speed and architecture. The primary distinction is that Cypress is best suited for introducing developers to test automation rather than replacing Selenium. This is the primary reason Cypress has become one of the world's fastest-growing test automation products. Selenium, on the other hand, is a multi-purpose tool that caters to a larger audience.
Before deciding on an automation tool, examine the benefits and drawbacks of Cypress vs. Selenium. Spend some time automating some test cases using a cloud-based platform that supports Selenium and Cypress. This allows you to choose which test automation framework will best benefit your team in the long run.
In summary, Selenium is a good choice if your team has more testers than developers or if you employ a programming language tech stack. Try Cypress today if you want your JavaScript developers to write TDD-style tests that focus on UI-based automation.
