Creating an Object Repository in Selenium: A Reflective Journey

What is Object Repository? How can we create an Object Repository in Selenium?

Object Repository: A Key Component in Automated Testing

Answer:

An Object Repository is a collection of web page elements or objects that are stored and organized for easy access in automated tests. In Selenium, it can be created using either a properties file or a class with constants.

An Object Repository plays a crucial role in test automation by providing a centralized location to store and manage all the web elements or objects used in automated tests. By utilizing an Object Repository, testers can achieve a more modular and maintainable test automation framework. When it comes to Selenium, there are two common ways to create an Object Repository: using a properties file or a class with constants.

Using Properties File:

To create an Object Repository in Selenium using a properties file, you define the locators or identifiers for web elements on a web page. Each element is given a unique name or key, with its corresponding locator value set in the properties file. This file can then be loaded and accessed in test scripts to interact with the elements on the webpage.

For example:

homepage.searchBox=id=searchBox

homepage.searchButton=css=#searchButton

Using Class with Constants:

Alternatively, you can create a class with constants to represent the elements in the Object Repository. Each constant in the class is assigned the locator value, providing a structured and easily accessible way to refer to the web elements.

Example of a class with constants:

public class ObjectRepository {

public static final String SEARCH_BOX = "id=searchBox";

public static final String SEARCH_BUTTON = "css=#searchButton";

}