Top Unit Testing Automation Frameworks for Selenium

Test automation has changed the way and the speed with which codes are tested during the software development life cycle. Within this testing cycle, unit testing is one of the foremost testing processes developers run while creating the application’s source code. Each code is structured and tested in isolation to determine its functionality and performance while the developer writes other codes for the application.

Now imagine the ease with which developers can get their unit tests running when the entire test cycle is automated before going ahead with integration testing.

With the introduction of Selenium, automation testing has become an easy task. All you need to do is find an appropriate unit testing framework and test all the components of your web application. Let us look into some of the well-tested and compatible unit testing automation frameworks you can integrate with Selenium Test Automation.

Java Frameworks for Selenium Unit Test Automation

Amongst the oldest programming languages in the history of application development, Java has always been on the top of the popularity list. Being a general-purpose programming language with easy replicability, selected unit testing frameworks are compatible with Selenium Test Automation.

1. JUnit

The development of a test-driven methodology was popularized with JUnit for Java-based applications. Its user interface makes it easy for developers to write repeatable and manageable unit test cases. Though it was originally designed for scripting test cases, its integration with Selenium WebDriver makes it a suitable framework for running automated tests across the source code.

What makes JUnit stand out from the rest of the Java frameworks for Selenium is that it runs tests quickly and lists out the bugs in a separate block for debugging. Moreover, the JUnit4 version can detect exceptions within the code and execute test cases generated in the older version.

2. TestNG

Amongst the open-source testing frameworks for Java, TestNG covers a broad category of tests and integrates well with Selenium. Created by Cedric Beust to overcome the limitations in JUnit testing, this framework is more robust in nature while automating unit tests. In addition, its unique features allow developers the ease to use multiple annotations, test dependencies, grouping, and prioritization.

TestNG lets developers run multiple automated test cases simultaneously, making the test execution process quicker compared to other frameworks. Furthermore, unlike JUnit, it handles exceptions automatically, labeling them as failed steps in the test report.

JavaScript Frameworks for Selenium Unit Test Automation

When it comes to interactivity within our digital lives, JavaScript has become a primary language that enables us to connect with multiple sites and applications. In terms of popularity, JS is used as a client-side programming language by 97.6% of all the websites, therefore, making the frameworks compatible with Selenium.

1. JEST

JEST has become one of the popular open-source test automation frameworks for React applications. Backed up and maintained by Facebook, the framework can run multiple types of automated tests and is ideal for both developers and testers for quality assurance. JEST allows developers to keep an eye on their source code through snapshot testing that lets them comprehend the state of their React trees.

One characteristic that makes JEST an ideal framework for automated unit testing is its zero configuration. Moreover, its combination of test runners and assertion library allows it to run multiple parallel tests simultaneously.

2. Jasmine

Another unit test automation framework that integrated well with Selenium is Jasmine. Compared to JEST, Jasmine can cover most JS-based applications that even JEST doesn’t cover and is a good alternative for non-React applications. In addition, its automated unit testing functionality can run tests on both synchronized and asynchronized codes.

Interestingly, Jasmine is a behavior-driven development framework, making it independent of other frameworks, and this ensures that each unit is tested in isolation. Developers have found this automated framework to work wonders for their frontend testing, which guarantees the app’s performance and responsiveness.

Python Frameworks for Selenium Unit Test Automation

When one has to check on the popularity of a programming language, they would usually find Python competing close to the top rank. As per Tiobe’s rating index, Python stands as the top-most favored programming language in 2021, making it an easy language used by programmers and non-programmers alike.

1. PyTest

PyTest is an open-source testing framework that provides all-encompassing testing services for both developers and testers. This testing framework runs on Python functions, allowing developers to run automated unit tests as a whole, or run tests based on tags or names.

What makes PyTest ideal is that its multiple fixtures let developers cover all parameter combinations without rewriting the test cases. Furthermore, you can also automate specific test cases or run parallel testing while writing other codes of the application.

2. PyUnit

If you are looking for a specific Python-based framework that can integrate with Selenium specifically for unit testing purposes, then PyUnit is the choice for you. It is a developer-friendly test automation framework and has separate building blocks that make it accessible.

The core modules include Test Loader, Test Runner, Test Suite, Test Case, and Test Report. The base class ‘TestCase’ can be used for assertive methods, cleanup, and setting routines, while the Test Loader can load cases and test suites. Using all the modules together gives the advantage of building a customized test runner that is automated with the Selenium test automation.

Wrapping Up

Performing unit tests on source codes is the first step towards quality assurance that determines the application’s long-term functionality, performance, and security. While developers simply have to check each code in isolation, it goes a long way when the tests are automated. Speed has become the essence of the software development industry, and automation is the key to the challenge.

Apart from Java, JS, and Python, multiple frameworks supporting C#, Perl, and Ruby integrate seamlessly with Selenium test automation. It is the integration of the appropriate frameworks that determine the success of the testing cycle and turnover speed for a successful app launch.