GeckoDriver Selenium Guide: Becoming Proficient in Applying the Gecko (Marionette) Driver in Selenium
To grasp the functioning of GeckoDriver, gaining knowledge about Gecko and the web browser engine is indispensable. This in-depth tutorial delves into every aspect of GeckoDriver, providing a thorough understanding of what it can do.
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Firstly, let’s delve into what Gecko is and the components that make up a web browser engine?
Content Discussed:
- What exactly is Gecko?
- What defines a Web Browser Engine?
- What is meant by GeckoDriver?
- What is the need for GeckoDriver in Selenium?
- How can GeckoDriver be deployed in a Selenium Project?
- The association between GeckoDriver and TestNG
- What are the procedures to include a Path in the System’s PATH Environmental Variable?
- What are the complications when Gecko Driver is missing?
- Extra details about GeckoDriver
- Summarization
What exactly is Gecko?
Gecko operates as a web browser engine and is used profusely by various applications constituted by the Mozilla Foundation and Corporation. It is also imperative for numerous open-source software initiatives. Gecko is primarily programmed in C++ and JavaScript, with recent versions incorporating Rust. This open-source web browser engine offers extensive functionality.
What defines a Web Browser Engine?
Often called a layout engine or rendering engine, a web browser engine is a software component tasked with accumulating web data such as HTML, XML, and images, formatting this data with CSS, and presenting the content on the screen. Web browsers, email clients, e-book readers, and online assistance platforms utilize this engine to showcase website content. Different web browser engines are available, with each browser using a specific one.
The following table features different web browsers and their corresponding browser engines:
Gecko is inherently compatible with the following operating systems:
- Windows
- Mac OS
- Linux
- BSD
- Unix
However, it does not support the Symbian OS.
What does GeckoDriver indicate?
GeckoDriver acts as a connection between your Selenium scripts and Gecko-based browsers, such as Firefox. It acts as a link, paving the way for interaction with Gecko-based browsers through the provision of an HTTP API.
Why is GeckoDriver a requirement for Selenium?
Beginning from version 47 of Firefox, amendments were incorporated that limit the direct interaction between third-party drivers and the browser for security reasons. As a result, Selenium2 is incompatible with the current versions of Firefox. To surmount this obstacle, Selenium3 brings into play the Marionette Driver, promoting direct communication with the Firefox browser through the mediation of the GeckoDriver proxy.
How can GeckoDriver be utilized in a Selenium Project?
- Verify that you have the newest iteration of Selenium WebDriver and the Firefox browser installed.
- Download the fitting GeckoDriver edition for your computer from this link.
- Uncompress the files contained in the compressed folder.
- Add the Selenium3 library references to your task by adhering to these steps: Right-tap on the project => Build Path => Configure Build Path => Libraries => Add External Jars.
- Opt for the Lib folder => Hit Ctrl + A => Tap Open.
- Once you’ve selected Open, the following interface will be displayed:
- Select OK.
- Now, you can proceed to draft your code and use the system property to define the GeckoDriver Path.
- Integrate the subsequent line in your code:
System.setProperty("webdriver.gecko.driver", "Path of the GeckoDriver file").
** [ To replicate the location of the unzipped file – Keep the ‘Shift’ key pressed on your keyboard and right-click on the file to access the “Copy address of the file” option.]
** [Ascertain that the replicated path contains double backslashes. Otherwise, a syntax error might surface in the code.]
Here’s an example for clarity:
Showcase
Here’s a rudimentary script that loads the Google webpage in a Firefox browser and authenticates the title of the page.
Code Demo:
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver; import org.openqa.selenium.firefox.FirefoxDriver; public class First_Class { public static void main(String[] args) { System.setProperty("webdriver.gecko.driver", "E:GekoDrivergeckodriver-v0.15.0-win64geckodriver.exe"); WebDriver driver = new FirefoxDriver(); driver.navigate().to("https://www.google.com/"); driver.manage().window().maximize(); String appTitle = driver.getTitle(); String expTitle = "Google"; if (appTitle.contentEquals(expTitle)) { System.out.println("Verification Successful"); } else { System.out.println("Verification Failed"); } driver.close(); System.exit(0); } }
Comprehending the Code
#1) import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver- This line brings all the critical references to the WebDriver interface, required to initiate a new browser.
#2) import org.openqa.selenium.firefox.FirefoxDriver- This line brings in the references to the FirefoxDriver class.
#3) setProperty(String key, String value)- This line establishes the system property by defining the name of the property as the peg and the route to the GeckoDriver file as the value.
Key- The name of the system property, namely “webdriver.gecko.driver”.
Value- The location of the Gecko Driver’s executable file.
#4) WebDriver driver = new FirefoxDriver() – This line constructs a new WebDriver reference variable, “driver”, and initializes it via the FirefoxDriver class. A Firefox profile void of extents and plugins will be unveiled with this instance.
#5) navigate().to(“URL”)- This line opens the specific URL in the browser. The Get method is summoned utilizing the “driver” reference variable, transferring the URL as a string.
#6) manage().window().maximize()- This line amplifies the browser window as soon as the prescribed URL is loaded.
#7) getTitle()- This line attains the title of the webpage using the getTitle() method, summoned via the “driver” reference variable. The title is saved in the “appTitle” string variable.
#8) Comparison- The appTitle (acquired through driver.getTitle() method) is compared with the prophesied title “Google” using an If statute. If the circumstances are met, the notification “Verification Successful” is printed; otherwise, “Verification Failed” is manifested.
if (appTitle.contentEquals(expTitle)){ System.out.println("Verification Successful"); } else { System.out.println("Verification Failed"); }
#9) driver.close()- This line terminates the browser. However, it only closes the current window.
#10) System.exit(0)- This line ends the running Java Virtual Machine. It is advisable to close all open windows or files before incorporating this line.
Link between GeckoDriver and TestNG
Here’s a demonstration that illustrates the application of GeckoDriver with TestNG:
EXAMPLE:
Let’s ponder over an example that loads the Google.com webpage, retrieves its title, and outputs it.
Add-On Code:
import org.testng.annotations.Test; import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver; import org.openqa.selenium.firefox.FirefoxDriver; public class TstNG { @Test public void f() { System.setProperty("webdriver.gecko.driver", "E:GekoDrivergeckodriver-v0.15.0-win64geckodriver.exe"); WebDriver driver = new FirefoxDriver(); driver.navigate().to("https://www.google.com/"); driver.manage().window().maximize(); String appTitle = driver.getTitle(); System.out.println(appTitle); driver.close(); } }
Aspects to consider while conceptualizing TestNG code:
#1) Apply the System.setProperty(String key, String value) method within the function f(). In the prior example, it was employed in the main function. Nonetheless, TestNG does not incorporate a main() function. If you place the code outside the function, a syntax error will develop.
#2) Another significant point to bear in mind is that System.exit(0) should not be introduced to your TestNG script. The inclusion of this line prevents the inception of the output folder having reports and results. Eradicating System.exit(0) allows you to inspect the reports.
Procedures to Introduce a Path in the System’s PATH Environmental Variable
- Right-tap on “My Computer” or “This PC” in Windows.
- Opt for “Properties”.
- Tap on “Advanced system settings”.
- Hit the “Environment Variables” button.
- Find “PATH” in the list of System Variables.
- Tap the “Edit” tab.
- Hit the “New” tab.
- Embed the path of the GeckoDriver file in the proper field.
- Select “OK”.
Complications Arising from Lack of Gecko Driver
There are potential difficulties you might run into:
#1) If you are using an obsolete variant of Firefox with Selenium3, you might come across the subsequent exception:
Exception in thread “main” java.lang.IllegalStateException
#2) If you are using the current version of Firefox with an older variant of Selenium, you might face the subsequent exception:
org.openqa.selenium.firefox.NotConnectedException: Unable to connect to host 127.0.0.1 on port 7055 after 45000ms
#3) If you are using the current version of Firefox and WebDriver without GeckoDriver, you might experience the subsequent exception:
Exception in thread “main” java.lang.IllegalStateException: The path to the driver executable must be set by the webdriver.gecko.driver system property; for more information, refer to this link. The latest version can be downloaded from this link.
Extra details regarding GeckoDriver
GeckoDriver operates as a proxy for facilitating contact between your Selenium scripts and Gecko-based browsers. It provides an HTTP API, explicable through the WebDriver protocol. The WebDriver protocol is composed of multiple nodes, entailing Local end, Remote end, Intermediary node, and Endpoint node. The interaction between these nodes is established in the WebDriver protocol.
The Local end symbolizes the client side of the WebDriver protocol. The Remote end acts as the server side of the WebDriver protocol. The Intermediary node functions as a proxy, while the Endpoint node is realized by a user agent or a similar program.
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