What’s New in Selenium 4 for Java Developers?

Introduction

If you are a Java developer passionate about automation testing, you have likely worked with Selenium at some point. Selenium has been the cornerstone of web test automation for years, and its latest version, Selenium 4, has taken the framework to a whole new level.

Whether you are upgrading from Selenium 3 or starting your journey through a Selenium certification course or a Selenium course online, understanding the latest features of Selenium 4 is crucial. This version is not just an upgrade it’s a complete rethinking of how web automation should work in the modern era of continuous integration, cloud testing, and cross-browser environments.

This detailed guide walks you through every major feature of Selenium 4 for Java developers. It includes hands-on code samples, practical applications, and migration insights to help you apply your skills confidently in real-world projects.

Why Selenium 4 Is a Game Changer

Before diving into the new features, let’s look at why Selenium 4 is such a significant release for Java developers.

Standards-Compliant: Selenium 4 fully implements the W3C WebDriver standard, which means better stability across browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Modern Grid Architecture: It introduces a re-engineered Selenium Grid with Docker and cloud compatibility.
Developer-Focused Features: With relative locators, better tab/window handling, and Chrome DevTools integration, Selenium 4 reduces code complexity.
Future-Ready: The introduction of BiDi APIs and enhanced debugging tools align Selenium 4 with modern testing demands.

In short, Selenium 4 empowers developers to create faster, more reliable, and more maintainable automation suites. For learners enrolled in a Selenium certification course, these features form the backbone of modern test automation.

Full W3C WebDriver Compliance

What’s New

Selenium 4 officially adopts the W3C WebDriver protocol, replacing the older JSON Wire Protocol. In previous versions, commands sent from the client to browser drivers sometimes led to inconsistent results across browsers. The W3C compliance fixes that.

Benefits for Java Developers

More Consistent Execution: Tests behave uniformly across browsers.
Reduced Compatibility Issues: The need for driver-specific adjustments is minimal.
Better Debugging: Fewer serialization mismatches mean more predictable test behavior.

Example: Java WebDriver Setup

import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeOptions;

public class Selenium4Example {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        ChromeOptions options = new ChromeOptions();
        options.addArguments("--start-maximized");
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver(options);

        driver.get("https://example.com");
        System.out.println("Title: " + driver.getTitle());

        driver.quit();
    }
}

Why It Matters

With Selenium 4, you can rely on standardized communication between Java code and browser drivers, ensuring cross-browser reliability an essential skill for those taking a Selenium certification course.

The New Selenium Grid 4

Overview

Selenium Grid 4 has been completely redesigned to support modern distributed testing. It simplifies running tests in parallel across multiple browsers, devices, and operating systems.

Key Features

Unified JAR that can serve as both Hub and Node
Supports Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud execution
New modes: Standalone, Hub-Node, and Fully Distributed
Enhanced user interface for test monitoring
Built-in support for IPv6 and HTTPS

Example: Remote Execution

import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.remote.RemoteWebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeOptions;
import java.net.URL;

public class GridExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        ChromeOptions options = new ChromeOptions();
        WebDriver driver = new RemoteWebDriver(new URL("http://localhost:4444"), options);
        driver.get("https://example.com");
        System.out.println(driver.getTitle());
        driver.quit();
    }
}

Real-World Application

Grid 4 makes scaling automation suites in CI/CD pipelines easier. For example, you can integrate your Java tests into Jenkins and run them across Docker containers seamlessly. This feature is widely covered in a Selenium course online to help learners master distributed testing environments.

Relative Locators Smarter Element Finding

What’s New

Locating web elements has always been one of Selenium’s core challenges. Selenium 4 introduces relative locators, which let you find elements based on their position relative to others.

Available Locators

above()
below()
toLeftOf()
toRightOf()
near()

Java Example

import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import static org.openqa.selenium.support.locators.RelativeLocator.with;

public class RelativeLocatorDemo {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
        driver.get("https://example.com");

        WebElement label = driver.findElement(By.id("emailLabel"));
        WebElement input = driver.findElement(with(By.tagName("input")).below(label));
        input.sendKeys("test@example.com");

        driver.quit();
    }
}

Why It Matters

Relative locators make your scripts more readable and resilient to small layout changes. This approach is a best practice taught in most Selenium certification courses, helping developers build flexible, maintenance-friendly automation suites.

New Window and Tab Management

What’s New

In Selenium 3, managing browser tabs required several manual steps. Selenium 4 simplifies this with the new newWindow() API.

Java Example

import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.WindowType;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;

public class TabExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
        driver.get("https://example.com");

        WebDriver newTab = driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
        newTab.get("https://infosys.com");
        System.out.println("New Tab Title: " + newTab.getTitle());

        driver.quit();
    }
}

Benefits

Easier to handle multi-tab workflows (e.g., payment or login pages)
Simplifies code, reducing boilerplate
Essential for end-to-end test flows

For Java developers learning through a Selenium course online, this feature is one of the most practical upgrades in Selenium 4.

Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP) and BiDi APIs

What’s New

Selenium 4 introduces support for Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP), giving direct access to browser internals. Developers can capture network traffic, monitor console logs, emulate geolocation, and even simulate network conditions.

Java Example

import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.devtools.DevTools;
import org.openqa.selenium.devtools.v107.network.Network;
import java.util.Optional;

public class CDPExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        ChromeDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
        DevTools devTools = driver.getDevTools();
        devTools.createSession();
        devTools.send(Network.enable(Optional.empty(), Optional.empty(), Optional.empty()));

        devTools.addListener(Network.requestWillBeSent(), request ->
            System.out.println("Request URL: " + request.getRequest().getUrl())
        );

        driver.get("https://example.com");
        driver.quit();
    }
}

Benefits

Capture and analyze network calls within Java code
Debug client-side performance issues
Simulate offline or slow connections

These capabilities make Selenium 4 a bridge between testing and observability skills highly valued in any Selenium certification course.

Improved Actions Class for Interactions

What’s New

The Actions class in Selenium 4 is more refined, enabling smoother mouse and keyboard interactions. Developers can easily create drag-and-drop, hover, and multi-key combinations.

Java Example

import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.interactions.Actions;

public class ActionsExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
        driver.get("https://example.com/dragdrop");

        WebElement source = driver.findElement(By.id("source"));
        WebElement target = driver.findElement(By.id("target"));

        Actions actions = new Actions(driver);
        actions.dragAndDrop(source, target).perform();

        driver.quit();
    }
}

Practical Uses

Testing rich web applications (e.g., dashboards, games, and interactive UIs)
Automating hover menus or drag-and-drop actions
Ensuring accessibility through keyboard navigation

These scenarios often appear in projects covered in advanced modules of a Selenium course online.

Enhanced Screenshot Features

What’s New

Selenium 4 extends its screenshot capabilities. Now, you can take screenshots of specific elements, not just the full browser view.

Java Example

import org.openqa.selenium.*;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.io.FileHandler;
import java.io.File;

public class ScreenshotExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
        driver.get("https://example.com");

        WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.id("logo"));
        File src = element.getScreenshotAs(OutputType.FILE);
        FileHandler.copy(src, new File("element_screenshot.png"));

        driver.quit();
    }
}

Why It Matters

Better debugging and visual validation
Clearer reports for failed tests
Useful for CI/CD pipelines where evidence collection is automated

In any Selenium certification course, mastering screenshot automation is part of effective test reporting.

Better Documentation and Developer Experience

Selenium 4 comes with improved API documentation, clear error messages, and structured examples. For Java developers, this means a smoother learning curve and faster onboarding.

Simplified Options classes replace deprecated DesiredCapabilities
More readable stack traces
Cleaner code examples across Selenium libraries

Learners in a Selenium course online can now follow examples that align perfectly with the latest Selenium 4 syntax, reducing confusion from outdated materials.

Migration from Selenium 3 to Selenium 4

Key Steps

Update Maven/Gradle Dependencies:
Replace Selenium 3 libraries with Selenium 4 dependencies.
Refactor Capabilities:
Use ChromeOptions, FirefoxOptions, or EdgeOptions instead of DesiredCapabilities.
Adopt Relative Locators:
Replace long XPaths with readable, robust relative locators.
Use New Window APIs:
Simplify multi-window test cases using newWindow().
Integrate CDP:
Add DevTools integration for advanced logging and debugging.
Upgrade to Grid 4:
Use containers for scalability and speed.
Enhance Reporting:
Implement new screenshot and logging features for better visibility.

Outcome

Migrating to Selenium 4 future-proofs your Java automation frameworks. You’ll see fewer flaky tests, faster execution, and greater cross-browser consistency. If you’re pursuing a Selenium certification course, understanding migration best practices will be invaluable during practical assessments.

Best Practices for Selenium 4 in Java

To make the most out of Selenium 4:

Use Page Object Model (POM) for maintainable frameworks
Prefer explicit waits over static sleeps
Integrate relative locators for resilient code
Use CDP for capturing network and console events
Store screenshots and logs in your CI/CD artifacts
Keep browser drivers updated
Follow the latest Selenium 4 documentation for syntax accuracy
Practise real-world projects through a Selenium course online

By following these best practices, your automation scripts will be scalable, efficient, and easy to maintain.

Why Java Developers Should Learn Selenium 4

Java remains one of the most widely used languages for Selenium automation. Selenium 4’s API aligns closely with Java’s OOP principles, allowing developers to write modular, reusable code.

With the growth of Agile and DevOps practices, the demand for automation testers with hands-on experience in Selenium 4 is skyrocketing. Taking a Selenium certification course or a Selenium course online that focuses on Selenium 4 ensures you stay ahead of industry expectations.

Real-World Application Example

Scenario

A banking web application requires automated testing across Chrome and Edge browsers. The team uses Selenium 3 and faces flaky tests and inconsistent results.

Solution with Selenium 4

W3C compliance ensures consistent behavior across browsers.
Relative locators reduce XPath failures caused by UI updates.
Grid 4 enables parallel execution in Docker containers.
CDP integration helps monitor network failures and console errors.

Result

Test execution time reduced by 40%
Flaky tests decreased by 60%
Reporting improved with visual evidence from enhanced screenshot APIs

This practical upgrade illustrates why learning Selenium 4 is not optional it’s essential for Java-based automation teams.

Conclusion

Selenium 4 represents a major leap forward in web automation. Its W3C compliance, revamped Grid architecture, relative locators, Chrome DevTools integration, and better user experience make it the most developer-friendly Selenium version yet.

For Java developers, mastering Selenium 4 means writing cleaner, faster, and more reliable test scripts. And for learners pursuing a Selenium certification course or exploring a Selenium course online, it’s the perfect time to upgrade your skills to match industry standards.

Key Takeaways

Selenium 4 follows the W3C WebDriver standard for improved browser consistency.
Grid 4 introduces Docker-ready distributed testing.
Relative locators simplify element handling.
CDP integration enables deep browser-level insights.
Enhanced Actions and screenshot features improve test coverage.
Migrating from Selenium 3 to Selenium 4 boosts reliability and speed.

Ready to take the next step?
Start your journey with a Selenium course online today and master Selenium 4 to accelerate your automation career!

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Jennifer Garner

I am an expert in IT Technologies and seasoned blogger specializing in Selenium, Data analytics, Power BI, Project management, and data driven decision making. With a strong background in IT training, certifications, and hands on experience, I offer valuable insights and practical tips to help aspiring analysts excel in their careers.

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