Selenium Core Extensions

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced tech industry, automation testing is no longer a luxury it’s a necessity. Whether you’re building scalable web apps or deploying continuous releases, automation helps you keep up. Selenium, a powerhouse in the world of automation testing, offers robust tools to automate browsers effectively. But did you know there’s a way to amplify its capabilities further? Enter Selenium Core Extensions the unsung heroes that bring customization and flexibility to your test scripts.

In this blog, we’ll explore what Selenium Core Extensions are, why they matter, how they enhance Selenium automation testing, and how you can use them practically in your projects. If you’re preparing for a Selenium certification or enrolled in a Selenium course, this guide will deepen your understanding and boost your test automation skills.

What Are Selenium Core Extensions?

Selenium Core Extensions are JavaScript files that extend the default functionality of the Selenium Core framework. They allow you to define custom commands and functions tailored specifically to your application under test (AUT). This flexibility is crucial when testing complex applications with dynamic UI behaviors.

Unlike Selenium WebDriver, which communicates with browsers through native APIs, Selenium Core runs directly in the browser, and the extensions help in tweaking or enhancing this behavior.

Key Features:

• Add custom commands to Selenium IDE.
• Modify or enhance existing Selenium methods.
• Handle application-specific logic.
• Integrate non-standard UI components into test flows.

Why Use Selenium Core Extensions?

Selenium out-of-the-box is powerful. But real-world testing isn’t always straightforward. You’ll often run into challenges like:

• Complex UI elements not easily handled by standard commands.
• Custom JavaScript behaviors that Selenium doesn’t natively support.
• Business logic validation that goes beyond generic assertions.

This is where Selenium Core Extensions shine. They give you the flexibility to tailor Selenium to meet specific testing needs.

Benefits:

• Greater Control: Customize commands for your specific use cases.
• Scalability: Build reusable components across multiple test cases.
• Efficiency: Reduce code duplication by adding complex logic into extensions.
• Maintainability: Abstract difficult UI interactions into well-defined methods.

Architecture and Components of Selenium Core Extensions

To use Selenium Core Extensions effectively, it’s important to understand how they fit into the broader Selenium architecture.

Core Architecture

• Selenium IDE: Where extensions are primarily used.
• User Extensions (user-extensions.js): The JavaScript file where custom commands are defined.
• Selenium Core: The heart of Selenium that executes the commands within the browser.

Key Components:

• user-extensions.js: Custom script file for defining new commands.
• Selenium.prototype.doCommandName: Method used to define custom “do” actions.
• Selenium.prototype.getCommandName: Method used to define custom “get” actions.

javascriptCopyEdit// Example: Custom 'clickAndWaitForLoad' Command
Selenium.prototype.doClickAndWaitForLoad = function(locator) {
    this.doClick(locator);
    this.doWaitForPageToLoad("30000");
};

Real-World Use Cases for Selenium Core Extensions

Let’s see how Selenium Core Extensions apply in real testing scenarios:

Use Case 1: Custom UI Components

You’re testing a React-based SPA (Single Page Application) with a custom drop-down menu. Standard select commands don’t work.

Solution: Create an extension that handles the specific HTML structure of your drop-down.

javascript
Selenium.prototype.doSelectCustomDropdown = function(locator, value) {
    this.doClick(locator);
    this.doClick("xpath=//li[text()='" + value + "']");
};

Use Case 2: Business Rule Validation

Need to check a combination of input fields based on complex logic? An extension lets you abstract that check:

javascript
Selenium.prototype.assertBusinessRuleValid = function(input1, input2) {
    var val1 = this.getValue(input1);
    var val2 = this.getValue(input2);
    if (!(parseInt(val1) + parseInt(val2) === 100)) {
        throw new Error("Business rule violated!");
    }
};

How to Create a Selenium Core Extension

Follow these step-by-step instructions to build your own extension.

Step 1: Create the JavaScript File

Create a user-extensions.js file in your project folder.

Step 2: Define Your Custom Commands

Use JavaScript to define do, get, or assert commands as needed.

javascript
Selenium.prototype.doClickButtonAndWait = function(buttonId) {
    this.doClick(buttonId);
    this.doWaitForPageToLoad("5000");
};

Step 3: Configure Selenium IDE

In Selenium IDE:

• Go to Options > General.
• Specify the path to user-extensions.js.

Step 4: Use the Command in Test Cases

You can now use your new command in the test script like this:

textCopyEditclickButtonAndWait | btnSubmit |

Code Snippets and Examples

Let’s review more practical examples of Selenium Core Extensions:

Example 1: Scroll to Element

javascript
Selenium.prototype.doScrollToElement = function(locator) {
    var element = this.page().findElement(locator);
    element.scrollIntoView();
};

Example 2: Validate Tooltip Text

javascript
Selenium.prototype.assertTooltipText = function(locator, expected) {
    var actual = this.getAttribute(locator + "@title");
    if (actual !== expected) {
        throw new Error("Tooltip mismatch: Expected " + expected + " but got " + actual);
    }
};

Challenges and Best Practices

While Selenium Core Extensions are powerful, they come with certain limitations and considerations.

Challenges

• Limited to Selenium IDE: They don’t directly work with WebDriver.
• Maintenance Overhead: Custom code requires documentation and upkeep.
• Browser Compatibility: Extensions are browser-dependent, especially on older versions.

Best Practices

• Keep It Modular: Use small, reusable extension functions.
• Document Well: Add comments to describe custom commands.
• Test Thoroughly: Ensure compatibility across environments before use.
• Use with Version Control: Track changes and updates to extension scripts.

Industry Relevance and Career Benefits

Understanding Selenium Core Extensions adds depth to your Selenium skillset, making you stand out in job markets where automation testing is in high demand.

Industry Trends

• According to MarketsandMarkets, the automation testing market is projected to grow from USD 24.7 billion in 2022 to USD 52.7 billion by 2027.
• Companies increasingly seek professionals who can customize Selenium for enterprise-grade projects.

Career Boost

• Mastery of Selenium Core Extensions can set you apart in Selenium certification exams.
• Employers value testers who can write reusable, scalable, and application-specific test functions.

Key Takeaways

• Selenium Core Extensions allow you to enhance and customize Selenium IDE functionality.
• They are written in JavaScript and help in testing complex applications effectively.
• You can create, register, and use custom commands directly in Selenium IDE via user-extensions.js.
• Ideal for UI testing, business logic validation, and improving maintainability.
• Knowing how to create and use these extensions boosts your credibility in Selenium interviews and automation projects.

Conclusion

Mastering Selenium Core Extensions elevates you from a basic tester to a true Selenium power user, empowering you to tackle complex, real-world testing challenges with creativity and precision. It showcases not only your technical expertise but also your ability to customize, extend, and optimize automation tools for maximum testing efficiency and impact.

Ready to level up your automation testing skills? Enroll in the Selenium certification course at H2K Infosys today and gain hands-on experience with Selenium Core Extensions and much more.
Get certified and become job-ready for top automation roles across the globe!