WebdriverIO: 30+ Interview Questions and Answers
Tags: webdriver, softwaretesting, automationtesting
Published: 2024-03-19 10:23:03

WebDriverIO is a popular open-source automation testing framework that offers an easy to use interface for automating web applications. It is built on the WebDriver protocol, allowing it to interact with browsers and automate interactions with web pages.

Our article on WebDriverIO interview questions is a must-read because it offers a thorough grasp of the frequently asked questions. This article will assist you in getting ready for your interview and showcasing your familiarity with WebDriverIO, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user.

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### What is WebdriverIO?

[WebDriverIO](https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/webdriverio?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=mar_19&utm_term=ap&utm_content=learning_hub) provides a simple and easy to use interface for writing and executing tests, and it supports multiple programming languages, such as [JavaScript](https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/selenium-javascript?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=mar_19&utm_term=ap&utm_content=learning_hub), TypeScript, and [Python](https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/python-tutorial?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=mar_19&utm_term=ap&utm_content=learning_hub). Users can quickly develop and execute test cases regarding the extensive set of built-in commands and assertions provided.

The ability of WebDriverIO to run tests simultaneously across various browsers and devices is one of its primary benefits. This feature can significantly speed up testing and ensure that applications are completely tested in various contexts.

Given its simplicity, adaptability, and active community, WebDriverIO has become a well-liked and effective automation testing framework among developers and testers.

### Beginner Level WebdriverIO Interview Questions

We will cover the fundamental concepts of WebDriverIO, including its purpose, benefits, installation, configuration, and commands. By mastering these basic concepts, you can develop a solid understanding of WebDriverIO and showcase your knowledge to potential employers.

### What is WebDriverIO, and what is its purpose?

WebDriverIO is an open-source browser [automation testing](https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/automation-testing?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=mar_19&utm_term=ap&utm_content=learning_hub) framework that enables developers and testers to automate interactions with web applications. The framework offers a simple and user-friendly interface for generating and running tests, supports many different programming languages, and has a large selection of built-in commands and assertions. Its goal is to automatically test web apps to ensure they function as planned and detect faults and errors before they are released.

### How do you install WebDriverIO?

Using Node Package Manager (NPM), you can install WebDriverIO by running the following command in the terminal:

```plaintext
npm install webdriverio 
```

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### What are some advantages of using WebDriverIO for browser automation testing?

Some benefits of using WebDriverIO for browser automation testing include [cross browser testing](https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/cross-browser-testing?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=mar_19&utm_term=ap&utm_content=learning_hub), ease of use, flexibility, and an active community. Additionally, WebDriverIO offers a broad range of built-in commands and assertions and supports various programming languages.

### What is a Page Object in WebDriverIO?

A Page Object is a design pattern WebDriverIO uses to separate each web page element into its classes, making it simpler to manage and update the test code. Tests become more modular, reusable, and manageable by enclosing the components and functionality of a web page into a Page Object.

### How do you launch a browser in WebDriverIO?

To start a browser, you can utilize the browser object in WebDriverIO and call the init() method with the required capabilities and settings. For instance, you can enter the following code to launch Chrome:

```plaintext
const { remote } = require('webdriverio');

const options = {
    capabilities: {
        browserName: 'chrome'
    }
};

const browser = await remote(options);
```

### Intermediate WebDriverIO Interview Questions

If you have used WebDriverIO before and are getting ready for an intermediate-level interview, you might be familiar with the fundamentals of the tool and its primary functions. In this set of intermediate-level interview questions and answers, we’ll cover WebDriverIO-related subjects like implementing best practices for code organization and maintainability, working with multiple browsers and platforms, and using advanced commands and techniques for testing complex web applications. You can demonstrate your knowledge of WebDriverIO by learning these intermediate-level concepts and establishing yourself as an essential member of any testing team.

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### What are selectors in WebDriverIO, and what are some types of selectors?

WebDriverIO uses selectors to distinguish between elements on a web page. Tag names, classes, IDs, and CSS selectors are a few examples of selector types. The following code, for instance, can be used to choose an element with a particular ID:

```plaintext
const element = await browser.$('#my-element-id'); 
```

### What is an implicit wait in WebDriverIO, and how is it useful?

An implicit wait in WebDriverIO is a synchronization that waits for a given period for an element to be present before throwing an exception. This is helpful when working with web apps with dynamic parts that load asynchronously. For instance, you can use the following code to specify an implicit wait time of 10 seconds:

```plaintext
browser.setTimeout({
    implicit: 10000
}); 
```

### What is a promise in WebDriverIO, and how is it used?

A promise is a JavaScript object that depicts whether an asynchronous operation will succeed or fail. The “getText()” method of WebDriverIO returns a promise that resolves to the visible text of an element, among many other ways that return promises. With “async/await” syntax, promises can be leveraged to create clearer and easier to read code.

### What is the difference between getText() and getValue() in WebDriverIO?

WebDriverIO’s getText() and getValue() functions retrieve text values from web elements. However, they have various return types and can be used for different elements. The following table compares the two approaches:

![image](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/1*bStmarMsNamDRkC8NSaqgg.png)

### How do you perform drag and drop actions in WebDriverIO?

Use the dragAndDrop() method given by the browser object to carry out drag and drop actions in WebDriverIO. For instance, you can use the following code to drag an element to a particular location:

```plaintext
const element = await browser.$('#my-element');
await browser.dragAndDrop(element, { x: 100, y: 100 }); 
```

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### What is the difference between waitForEnabled() and waitForDisplayed() in WebDriverIO?

The waitForEnabled() and waitForDisplayed() methods in WebDriverIO are used to wait for elements to become available on the page. They vary in terms of what they wait for and when they consider an element “ready.” Here is a table comparing the two approaches:

![image](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/1*niiL1hHngYRWAcFwYXcfxw.png)

### How do you handle alerts and pop-ups in WebDriverIO?

The alertAccept(), alertDismiss(), and alertText() methods given by the browser object can be used by WebDriverIO to manage alerts and pop-ups. You can use the following code to accept an alert:

```plaintext
await browser.acceptAlert(); 
```

### What are the benefits of using the Page Object Model (POM) in WebDriverIO?

The benefits of using the Page Object Model (POM) in WebDriverIO include:

* Better code organization and maintenance: By separating your page objects from your test code, you can generate more modular, reusable code that is simpler to update and maintain.
    
* Improved test readability and maintainability: You can make your tests easier to understand and less brittle by encapsulating page-specific elements and functionality in page objects. It will also lower the risk of errors and failures due to changes to the application or user interface.
    
* Better collaboration and communication: By adopting a common language and structure for your page objects, you can ensure that testers, developers, and stakeholders agree regarding the UI and functionality of the application.
    

### Advanced WebdriverIO Interview Questions

If you are an expert in WebDriverIO and are getting ready for an advanced interview, this segment gets you covered with advanced WebDriverIO-related topics such as advanced test methodologies, performance testing, integration with CI/CD pipelines, and advanced automation techniques. You can demonstrate your ability to use WebDriverIO to build and carry out complex testing solutions and establish your worth as an expert in test automation by showcasing your understanding of these advanced concepts.

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### What is a custom command in WebDriverIO, and how do you create one?

In WebDriverIO, a custom command is a user-defined command that extends the capabilities of the framework. The browser object’s addCommand() method can be used to construct a custom command. Use the following code to build a custom command that clicks on an element and waits for it to disappear:

```plaintext
browser.addCommand('clickAndDisappear', async function (selector) {
    const element = await this.$(selector);
    await element.click();
    await element.waitForDisplayed({ reverse: true });
});
```

### How do you run tests in parallel in WebDriverIO?

Utilize a test runner like [Mocha](https://www.lambdatest.com/mocha-js?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=mar_19&utm_term=ap&utm_content=webpage) or [Jasmine](https://www.lambdatest.com/selenium-automation-testing-with-jasmine-framework?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=mar_19&utm_term=ap&utm_content=webpage) to execute several tests parallel in WebDriverIO. Parallelism can be achieved by setting the test runner to execute several instances of the WebDriverIO tests. You can also run tests on numerous browser instances simultaneously with WebDriverIO’s multi remote option.

### What is a hook in WebDriverIO, and mention types of hooks?

A hook in WebDriverIO is a function that executes before or after a test or a set of tests at a certain point in the test lifecycle. Hooks are used for preparing the testing environment, carrying out specific tasks, and clearing up when the tests have been executed. The test execution procedure can be customized using a variety of hooks that WebDriverIO permits. These include before-and-after hooks for test suites, before-and-after hooks for commands, and before-and-after hooks at the runner level. The test data setup, logging additional information, capturing images, and handling issues are just a few of the functions that hooks may carry out.

```plaintext
beforeEach(() => {
    console.log('Running test...');
});
```

### How do you take screenshots in WebDriverIO?

You can utilize the saveScreenshot() function offered by the browser object in WebDriverIO to capture screenshots. The following code can be used to capture a screenshot of the current page:

```plaintext
await browser.saveScreenshot('screenshot.png');
```

### What is a visual regression test, and how do you implement it in WebDriverIO?

A [visual regression](https://www.lambdatest.com/learning-hub/visual-regression-testing?utm_source=devto&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=mar_19&utm_term=ap&utm_content=learning_hub) test evaluates a web page’s visual output before and after a change to detect any unintentional changes. Use a tool like WebdriverCSS or WebdriverIO-visual-regression-service, which compares web page screenshots to look for visual differences, to perform a visual regression test in WebDriverIO. For instance, you can use the following code to conduct visual regression testing using WebdriverCSS:

```plaintext
const webdrivercss = require('webdrivercss');
```

```plaintext
webdrivercss.init(browser, {
    screenshotRoot: 'my-screenshots',
    failedComparisonsRoot: 'my-failures'
});
```

```plaintext
describe('My website', () => {
    it('should look the same', () => {
        browser.url('https://example.com');
        browser.webdrivercss('homepage', {
            elem: '#my-element'
        });
    });
});
');
```

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### How do you interact with iframes in WebDriverIO?

The switchToFrame() method given by the browser object can be utilized by WebDriverIO to communicate with iframes. For instance, you can execute the following code to switch to an iframe with a specific ID:

```plaintext
await browser.switchToFrame('#my-iframe');');
```

### What is the difference between browser.url() and browser.navigateTo() in WebDriverIO?

browser.url() navigates to a new URL while browser.navigateTo() navigates to a new URL and runs the associated hooks and commands.

![image](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/1*cXu6z4IJ-xt_1AJwMsFmdg.png)

### How do you interact with a select dropdown in WebDriverIO?

You can utilize the browser object’s selectByVisibleText(), selectByAttribute(), and selectByIndex() methods to interact with a select dropdown in WebDriverIO. For instance, you can use the below code to choose an option based on its visible text:

```plaintext
const select = await browser.$('#my-select');
await select.selectByVisibleText('Option 1');
```

### How do you interact with a file input element in WebDriverIO?

Use the chooseFile() function provided by the browser object to interact with a file input element in WebDriverIO. As an illustration, you can use the following code to select a file to upload:

```plaintext
const input = await browser.$('#my-input');
await input.chooseFile('/path/to/file');
```

### What is the difference between waitForExist() and waitForDisplayed() in WebDriverIO?

![image](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/1*VMAN9se7ve-bQEYwu5IegQ.png)

### How do you scroll to an element in WebDriverIO?

Use the scrollIntoView() method given by the browser object to scroll to an element in WebDriverIO. For example, use the following code to scroll to an element with a particular ID:

```plaintext
const element = await browser.$('#my-element');
await element.scrollInto
```

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### How do you handle alerts in WebDriverIO?

The alertAccept() and alertDismiss() methods given by the browser object can be used by WebDriverIO to handle alerts. For example, enter the following code to acknowledge an alert:

```plaintext
await browser.acceptAlert();
```

### How do you perform drag and drop operations in WebDriverIO?

Use the browser object’s dragAndDrop() method to carry out drag and drop operations in WebDriverIO. You can use the code below, to move an element to a new location:

```plaintext
const source = await browser.$('#my-source-element');
const target = await browser.$('#my-target-element');
await browser.dragAndDrop(source, target);
```

### How do you wait for an element to be clickable in WebDriverIO?

Use the waitForClickable() method provided by the browser object to wait for an element to become clickable in WebDriverIO. For instance, you can use the following code to wait for a button with a specified ID to become clickable:

```plaintext
await browser.$('#my-button').waitForClickable();
```

### How do you interact with cookies in WebDriverIO?

The setCookies(), getCookies(), and deleteCookies() methods offered by the browser object can be used to interact with cookies in WebDriverIO. Use the below code to set a cookie:

```plaintext
await browser.setCookies({
    name: 'my-cookie',
    value: 'my-value'
});
```

### How do you simulate keyboard events in WebDriverIO?

You can use the keys() function given by the browser object to simulate keyboard events in WebDriverIO. For instance, use the following code to send the Tab key:

```plaintext
await browser.keys(['Tab']);
```

### How do you run tests in parallel using WebDriverIO?

You can use the maxInstances configuration variable in your wdio.conf.js file to run tests concurrently using WebDriverIO. Utilize the following configuration to run tests parallel across five instances:

```plaintext
exports.config = {
    maxInstances: 5,
    // ...
};
```

### How do you run tests on multiple browsers using WebDriverIO?

You can utilize WebDriverIO’s capabilities configuration option in your wdio.conf.js file. For instance, use the setup below to run tests on Firefox and Chrome:

```plaintext
exports.config = {
    capabilities: [
        { browserName: 'chrome' },
        { browserName: 'firefox' }
    ],
    // ...
};
```

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### WebdriverIO Best Practices

It’s crucial to follow best practices while working with WebDriverIO to make sure your testing procedure is quick, simple, and easy to maintain. Following best practices will help you to speed up the development process, enhance the quality of your testing, and conserve time and money. We will discuss various techniques and approaches for improving your test automation process in this list of WebDriverIO best practices.

The following are the best practices for writing effective WebDriverIO tests:

* To make your tests, test suites, and page objects more readable and maintainable, provide meaningful, descriptive, and specific names.
    
* To verify desired results and behavior, use assertions rather than a manual inspection or visual validation.
    
* Avoid using hardcoded values or overly complex expressions that could break quickly and instead use selectors and locators that are reliable, distinct, and stable.
    
* Instead of relying on fixed or arbitrary delays, use waits and timeouts to ensure that your tests are executed predictably and reliably.
    
* To write tests that are easy to understand and debug, use a consistent, organized test framework and hierarchy.
    
* Use logging, debugging, and error handling techniques to identify problems, troubleshoot them, and provide helpful feedback and information for problems that need to be fixed.
    

### Conclusion

WebDriverIO is a popular automation testing tool for web applications, and it is widely used in the industry due to its flexibility, scalability, and ease of use. To succeed in your profession, regardless of your level of automated testing experience, you need a firm grasp of the fundamental ideas and best practices of WebDriverIO. It can be helpful to use this list of 35 WebDriverIO interview questions and answers to brush up on the tool’s features or to prepare for job interviews, as it covers a variety of concepts and difficulty levels. You can increase the effectiveness and quality of your automation testing efforts and deliver better results for your team and organization by grasping the fundamental ideas and methods of WebDriverIO.