Appium is a cross-platform testing framework. It works for native, hybrid, and mobile web apps for iOS and Android. It is an open-source test automation tool. Appium is an HTTP server written in Node.js. It uses Selenium Web Driver to interact with iOS and Android native apps. The Appium server receives test requests in a JSON format and is compatible with the commonly used programming languages. Developed and supported by Sauce Labs, Appium is a well-known in-app testing infrastructure for its versatility.
Hence, with Appium Mobile Testing setup, users can write tests with the development tools, environment, and programming language they are most comfortable with. Moreover, it has an easy learning curve that enables you to configure the application to run on Appium efficiently. As the disparity between user configuration is ever-increasing with different operating systems, browsers, and devices, the developer needs to validate the app’s performance, stability, and consistency across varied platforms. Therefore, Appium is becoming essential for automating and optimizing tests to enable the app to deliver high-quality performance.
Appium is one of the most prominent test automation frameworks for mobile app testing. An Appium Mobile Testing setup will quickly enable you to perform continuous testing and validate your app. Selecting the proper Appium automation techniques will allow you to automate test cases easily. The three most advanced techniques are in-app authentication using face-id, Appium’s events API, and streaming apps on the browser. Appium supports testing in-app authentication with Face ID on iOS simulators. The simulator app can process the Face ID authentication. However, you cannot perform it on real devices. The simulator’s limited controls are enrolling the face, matching the face, and unmatching the face. Appium follows the W3C API to match the official WebDriver standard.
Appium under the hood uses WebDriver agent. It bundles the WebDriver agent and installs it on the real device/simulator to run the test cases on the application. Appium’s Event API has inbuilt events called server events. You can also stream applications on browsers, which is another popular Appium testing technique.
Here are some benefits of using Appium in your app testing process.
Cross-platform Support
Appium supports JSON wire protocol which manages the WebDriver sessions. Hence there are no language or platform restrictions. For native and hybrid apps, it provides cross-platform support. You can use the same test cases across different platforms. Appium uses the same API to enable you to write the tests. A single API works for both Android and iOS platform test scripts using the WebDriver protocol. Hence, it allows code reuse between iOS and Android test suites.
Programming Language Support
Appium can support all Webdriver-compatible programming languages, including Java, Ruby, C#, PHP, and Python. Hence, the QA test team can write test scripts in a preferred programming language. As a result, Appium gives mobile testing teams more agility and flexibility when writing tests that fit their development processes.
Easy Learning Curve
Appium is compatible with Selenium WebDriver, which allows it to inherit all the selenium features. Therefore, if you are already familiar with selenium concepts, you can easily use and understand Appium. Moreover, the multi-language support of Appium enables the user to create test cases easily.
Record And Playback
Record and playback features are helpful for automated test development. When ‘recording,’ the tool automatically generates the code. The code runs when the test engineer ‘plays back’ the recording. The device also allows the tester to change the code to make the test run differently. Hence, one can continually update, maintain, and improve the test scripts. Appium provides a record and playback tool like other test automation tools. It enables the test engineer to accelerate their testing efforts using this functionality in Appium. Appium has an ‘Inspector’ to Record and Playback. It can record and play native application behavior by inspecting DOM (Document Object Model). Using the DOM, Appium generates the test scripts in the desired language.
Integration With CI Tools
You can integrate Appium into your CI/CD processes. Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) help bridge the gap between app development and other operations by automating various techniques. Appium can be integrated with most CI tools, enabling automated triggering of tests during the release cycles to streamline the process of continuous development of your app. You can combine your Appium testing framework with the CI tools in your testing infrastructure.
Free Of Cost
Appium is an open-source automation testing tool for use with native, hybrid, and mobile web apps. Hence, you can use it free of charge. You can easily download it on your device. Appium does not require additional installation support. Appium aims to automate a mobile app using desired language and test framework, with full access to back-end APIs and DBs from test code.
To Conclude:
These can some of the top benefits of using the Appium testing framework for your app development cycle. It allows you to quickly test apps with your favorite development tools using the programming languages of your choice, which makes Appium one of the best tools for Mobile Automation.
