I'm creating a WebDriver tutorial

[water 2,200]

Internet Explorer is nearly dead, newer versions of Firefox can't any longer be automated using Stilgar's FF UDF.

Hence more and more users (including me) need to look at automating Webbrowsers using WebDriver.
That's why I have started to create a tutorial in the wiki.
It should describe all necessary steps from intallation to usage.

I'm still collecting ideas for the tutorial - that's where you come into play.
What do you expect to see in such a tutorial?

• Which browsers should be covered (Firefox, Chrome and Edge are settled)?
• Any questions for the FAQ?
• Which (high level) coding examples do you expect (like "How to attach to a running browser instance")
• ...

Like to see your comments

 

ToDo-List:

• Add "Tools" section and add ChroPath plugin. Done.
• FAQ: "How to attach to a running browser instance". Done.
• Explain the difference between iuiautomation, iaccessible, autoit, webdriver. Done. The AutoIt FAQ 40 has been extended.
• Detailed description of each function. Done
• Example for "how to deal with downloading". Use function _WD_DownloadFile.
• Example for "how to deal with popups (alerts, print or save dialog). Use function_WD_AlertRespond to respond to a user prompt.
• Example for "how to deal with multiple tabs". Use functions _WD_NewTab (create a new tab), _WD_Window (close or switch to a tab) and _WD_Attach (attach to existing tab).

Edited February 8 by water

[JLogan3o13 1,545]

One thing you could include, as something of a tertiary tool, would be the ChroPath plugin for all major browsers. It makes finding an element by XPath, ID or CSS incredibly easy.

[Exit 116]

1 hour ago, water said:

"How to attach to a running browser instance"

The answer to this question would be great, if answered positive. Especially in Chrome. 

[ViciousXUSMC 89]

Last time I had to venture into this I used IUIAutomation, and it was kind of hard for me.

So looking forward to something that might be easier to use!  

[water 2,200]

On 1/2/2020 at 6:48 PM, JLogan3o13 said:

One thing you could include, as something of a tertiary tool, would be the ChroPath plugin

Done

[junkew 381]

Maybe add a faq where the difference between approach with iuiautomation, iaccessible, autoit, webdriver is explained.  They are complementary technologies and sometimes need to be mixed to reach an endgoal.

[water 2,200]

FAQ is always a good idea
Maybe extend your FAQ 40 or add a new FAQ item with the different approaches you mentioned above? And add links to the threads where the concepts are explained in detail?

I think this way more users will find the FAQ.

What do you think?
 

[junkew 381]

I will extend faq40.

In the WD wiki examples tutorial add examples on

* how to deal with downloading or navigating pdf

* how to deal with popups

** alert popup

** print or save dialog

* how to deal with multiple tabs

* ...

 

 

[Nine 446]

All are very good points.   But the most important purpose of a tutorial is to start you up with easy problems (like installation, Hello World first script), and then move on to  higher difficulties of issues.  What I like about tutorial is also the explanation of the concepts,  like what is the difference between absolute xPath and relative. Sorry if I am too simplistic. 

[JLogan3o13 1,545]

@Nine I agree with the first half of your statement; a tutorial as something of a "Quick-Start Guide". The explanation of concepts is great, and has a lot of value, but I would simply caution throwing in too much of that at the beginning. If someone is able to pick the UDF up and quickly get up to speed using it, they are much more likely to spend the time learning about the why and how of it. If all the theory is thrown at them first, they may get frustrated and not stick with it.

[water 2,200]

The tutorial already covers the steps "Installation" and "Concepts and Terms".
It will not cover general concepts like xPath etc. which are not unique to WebDriver. Else it would become to big and unreadable (my opinion).

The wiki is open to everyone to add or modify it. I'm just the guy who started the tutorial

[mLipok 843]

btw.
Finally I need to start using WebDriver.
Will look at this in spare time (hope I find some spare time soon).

 

[CYCho 22]

@Danp2 has been very helpful for beginners to learn how to use WebDriver. I'm sure he wanted to write a tutorial himself only if he had time. Thank you, @water, for initiating this project.

I would appreciate if someone could add a tutorial for use of _WD_Window, _WD_Action and _WD_ElementAction functions and compostion of $sDesiredCapabilities among other things. Though I have been using WebDriver for almost a year now, I still don't know how to use some of the "commands" in these functions.

Thnak you and I have a great expectation.

[water 2,200]

I have talked to Danp2 before starting with the tutorial  and have incorporated some of his suggestions.

I think a detailed overview of all available functions would be helpful.

[Danp2 607]

2 hours ago, CYCho said:

I would appreciate if someone could add a tutorial for use of _WD_Window, _WD_Action and _WD_ElementAction

That is essentially what wd_demo is supposed to be... a tutorial to demonstrate the basic functionality of these functions. That said, I don't feel that it is my job as the UDF developer to "spoon feed" you with example after example of how to call these functions and to utilize each of the available options. The ultimate answer to all of those questions is to reference the W3C specs.

For example -- Look at the function _WD_ElementAction. In the header it gives links to the specific sections of the W3C specs that it implements. Follow those links to get a better understanding of the underlying technology that the function is implementing.

Feel free to ask for input on any of these functions, but be prepared to show that you've attempted to understand them on your own. 😉

Quote

compostion of $sDesiredCapabilities

This is defined elsewhere (W3C specs as well as the individual webdriver consoles) and is outside the scope of this wiki entry IMO.