Introduction
If you’re just starting your software testing journey, Appium could be the perfect tool to help you develop new mobile app automation testing skills.
With web and mobile applications becoming an essential part of our everyday lives, we now rely on specific apps for almost everything we do, often without even realizing it.
But how can we ensure these applications function as expected and meet customer expectations? This is where mobile app automation testing comes in, helping deliver fast solutions for high-performing apps that work seamlessly across a variety of devices.
What is Appium?
Appium is an open-source, cross-platform testing tool designed to automate native, mobile web, and hybrid applications on mobile devices and Windows desktop platforms. Let’s break down the types of apps Appium supports:
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Native apps: These are built-in software programs for specific platforms, like Mac or PC, that come preinstalled on the device. Think of apps like Contacts, Messages, or Photos.
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Web apps: These are accessed through a browser on mobile or desktop devices and require an internet connection. Popular examples include Gmail and Google Docs.
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Hybrid apps: These apps can be installed like native apps but are built using web technology. They can work both offline and online. Examples include Twitter, Instagram, and Discord.
Appium can handle all three types of apps, making it incredibly versatile. Since it’s a cross-platform tool, you can write tests for iOS, Android, and Windows using the same API, which makes it easier for testers to work across different platforms.
The Advantages of Learning Appium
Here are some key benefits of learning Appium:
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Cross-platform capabilities: Appium supports Android, iOS, and Windows using the same code, which means you can write your test scripts once and use them across multiple platforms.
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Open-source: Appium is completely free and open-source, which makes it accessible for testers everywhere.
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Automation with multiple languages: Just like Selenium, you can write your Appium scripts in several programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, C#, Python, PHP, and Ruby.
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Ease of use: Appium makes it easy to automate tests for mobile web, hybrid, and native applications, saving you a lot of time and effort.
Prerequisites for mobile app automation testing
Before diving into Appium, there are a few prerequisites:
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Basic knowledge of automation testing: Having a foundation in automation testing concepts is key to getting started with Appium.
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Familiarity with Selenium WebDriver: Since Appium uses a lot of the same concepts as Selenium WebDriver, being comfortable with WebDriver and its workflow will make your Appium journey smoother.
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Programming skills: You’ll need to know at least one programming language (Java, Python, C#, etc.) to get the most out of Appium and write effective test scripts.
Getting started with Appium
The next step is installing Appium. Head over to the official Appium website, download the latest version, and follow the installation instructions for your system.
Once Appium is set up, it works through the JSON Wire Protocol to communicate with the mobile devices and initiate automation sessions. When the desired capabilities are checked, Appium will use the appropriate testing framework: UiAutomator2 for Android and XCUITest for iOS.
Both of these frameworks work through Bootstrap.js, which serves as a TCP server running on the devices. This is what allows Appium to interact with the devices and execute tests.
Setting up Appium
The second step to getting started with Appium is downloading the latest version of the tool available through a direct link on its website or Node.js.
Both Android and iOS communicate with client machines via JSON Wire protocol to begin the automation test session. Once the desired capabilities have been checked, the server looks out for the native testing automation: UiAutomator2 for Android and XCUITest for iOS.
Each framework proceeds to communicate with bootstrap.js running on the device as a TCP server that works on simulators, emulators, and real devices.
Bootstrap.js receives requests and runs tests for Android and iOS devices, passing over log details to UiAutomator2 for the former and XCUITest for the latter devices. Then the information is forwarded by Bootstrap.js to the client.
You can find more details on how to set up Appium on Android/iOS devices and how to get started with Appium here.
Conclusion
Getting started with Appium opens up many possibilities for automating mobile app testing. Whether you’re testing native apps, mobile web apps, or hybrid apps, Appium provides a comprehensive solution for all your automation needs. It’s cross-platform, open-source, and works well with a range of programming languages, making it an excellent choice for new testers and experienced professionals alike.
By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Appium and enhancing your mobile automation testing skills. Happy testing!
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