Uncovering the hidden costs related to Selenium Test Automation
Published: 2021-03-24 07:14:24

In this era of continuous innovation, automation testing has become a necessity. Since Selenium is an open-source test automation solution, testers and developers across the globe prefer it to other commercial testing tools. Selenium helps you to build high-quality applications through its robust testing capabilities. However, in context to Oracle Cloud Updates, the big question is whether Selenium is technically fit to test Oracle Cloud Updates.

To get the answer to this question, we need to analyze how Selenium identifies controls. To uniquely identify controls on the screen, Selenium uses properties like name, ID, CSS Class, XPath, etc. So, we can say that for applications that have fixed attributes for elements, Selenium is the right-fit testing tool. However, the case is not the same in Oracle Cloud Applications. Oracle Cloud applications are highly dynamic and meta-data has driven in nature. The web elements in these applications don’t have fixed IDs, names, CSS, etc. Technically, Selenium is not the right-fit for Oracle Cloud Application testing.

While downloading Selenium, you may have found that Selenium is a programming library rather than a tool. Surely, you must be aware that open-source libraries are just a starting point for testing. You need to write code to create tests, manage and execute those codes, handle errors, and report. Apart from this, if you’re using an ecosystem of applications, then you need to test integrations also. For this, you need to build a test support network via API. Working with experts from both domains (Selenium & Oracle) can be a costly proposition.

Since Oracle cloud updates can bring functional and structural changes, there is a possibility that they can break Selenium test scripts. You need to put huge efforts into maintaining the test scripts. Other potential points where things can break include integration points, changes in table structure, and changes in security roles. Apart from this, some of the interfaces are also not supported by Selenium.

How to find a better option?

A better approach is to opt for a Low Code Test Automation platform that allows business users to create tests. While opting for test automation tool for Oracle Cloud Applications, you should keep in mind that it should be Oracle aware and supports change management. Since Oracle cloud quarterly updates need to be tested within two weeks, you should opt for a tool that comes with prebuilt accelerators that reduce regression testing time.

OpKey — A better option for Oracle Cloud Application Testing

OpKey is an Oracle-aware <a href="https://www.opkey.com/Oracle-EBS-Automation/"> test automation </a>platform that enables teams to quickly create stable and maintainable tests. As a ZERO Code test platform for enterprise-grade applications, OpKey helps you to implement continuous testing while keeping cost preposition in check. OpKey comes with a Smart Test Recorder that helps in reducing test authoring time by more than 50%. Support for multiple technologies like C/C++, .NET, WPF (XAML), & Visual Basic help testers to customize and make more robust tests. OpKey’s smart test builder uses the context and meta-data of Oracle Cloud to create more maintainable and robust tests. Furthermore, OpKey perfectly handles the complexity related to dynamically changing Ids, complex tables and custom controls. In fact, tests created in OpKey are 60% more robust and reliable as compared to selenium.

To make test execution and maintenance a breeze, OpKey comes with prebuilt test accelerators. OpKey provides 500+ reusable libraries and 750+ test cases for Oracle HCM, 400+ test cases for financial module with 175+ reusable libraries, 350+ Test cases for supply chain module, Project Cloud and Procurement Cloud. Self-healing capability of OpKey helps in healing up the test scripts for the valid changes highlighted in the impact analysis report. The AI-based self-configuration engine in <a href="https://www.opkey.com">OpKey</a> makes tests scripts updates continuously to ensure that tests are in sync with the latest Oracle Cloud updates. OpKey’s Real Time Impact Analysis engine helps you shift from test everything to risk-based test approach. AI-driven impact analysis engine highlights the affected areas while ensuring wider coverage.

To address the complexities related to end-to-end integration, OpKey offers day 1 integration with continuous integration tools. OpKey’s out-of-box support for web, mobile, APIs, Desktop, Citrix, Mainframes and other legacy applications helps you to seamlessly test integrations points. 400+ keywords driven tests for web applications, 500+ mobile devices, & 200+ OS-Browser combinations help you to seamlessly test the entire ecosystem of applications. With OpKey, you can run thousands of tests in parallel in a short time.