Identify xpaths for automation testing using Robot framework
The application is build on PRPC version 6.1 sp2. The automation testing is performed using robot framework, which is a keyword driven testing approach.
For this, the unique id/xpath of elements is required. However, the xpaths for various elements are not unique , such as add or delete icon available in repeating layout.
Also a small change in UI in a layout changes the xpath of the other elements in the layout. This make it difficult to maintain the automation test scripts.
Is there any solution available to uniquely identify the xpath?
Thanks,
Meera
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Updated: 30 Mar 2016 12:54 EDT
Pegasystems Inc.
GB
Hi Meera,
Can you explain about what data you are looking at here ? Do you mean the HTML DOM in the PRPC UI or something ?
I also don't understand what is meant by this statement:
However, the xpaths for various elements are not unique , such as add or delete icon available in repeating layout.
Do you mean the 'id' attribute for HTML elements are not unique ?
Note : that 'xpath' in general can always identify a unique element within an XML tree structure : since you can address elements by an index number (in the form of /blah/something/my_repeating_element[3] ).
Thanks,
John
Cognizant
IN
Hi John,
PFB details of the issue that we are currently facing in identifying a unique id or xpath. Also, would like to know if the approach of using "ID" for xpath is the correct.
Problem statement - how to identify the xpath for add/delete icons in 2 different layouts.The add/delete icons appearing in the layouts have the same "ID" generated .
Probable Solution(?) - if the xpath of the layout can be identified, the xpath for the icons within the layout can be identified. Currently the layout "ID"s are dynamic and auto generated - such as <section name> suffixed by "A"s or "B"s.
The solution we have tried is to get a unique id for the layout by populating the "ID" attribute in the advanced tab of the layout. This approach seems to work for row repeat but not for grid repeat layout.
Row Repeat layout
It is possible to differentiate between two similar repeating layouts – by updating the ID in the row repeat “Advanced” tab.
Hi John,
PFB details of the issue that we are currently facing in identifying a unique id or xpath. Also, would like to know if the approach of using "ID" for xpath is the correct.
Problem statement - how to identify the xpath for add/delete icons in 2 different layouts.The add/delete icons appearing in the layouts have the same "ID" generated .
Probable Solution(?) - if the xpath of the layout can be identified, the xpath for the icons within the layout can be identified. Currently the layout "ID"s are dynamic and auto generated - such as <section name> suffixed by "A"s or "B"s.
The solution we have tried is to get a unique id for the layout by populating the "ID" attribute in the advanced tab of the layout. This approach seems to work for row repeat but not for grid repeat layout.
Row Repeat layout
It is possible to differentiate between two similar repeating layouts – by updating the ID in the row repeat “Advanced” tab.
For Repeat Grid Layout
A unique value entered in “ID” under the “advanced tab” of the repeat grid.
While trying to identify the xpath using ‘Inspect element’, the “ID” doesn’t show up. Is there any other way to identify the xpath to differentiate between the 2 layouts?
Thanks
Meera
Transport for NSW
AU
Meera,
- Post Pega 7.1.5, The applications are HTML 5 compatible and hence can be treated as a standalone UI for automation purpose.
- Having said that, In my recent project, Application was built on Pega 7.1.8 and Automation team was successful in utilizing HP UFT to automate most of the scenarios.
- Not sure about PRPC 6.2, but in Pega 7 a configurable field "data-test-id" was introduced in UI components like label, textbox.. to uniquely identify the UI elements in the DOM.
- Sadly this element isn't helpful in the repeat grid because it generates the same ID across the repeating grid element. Probably, a case for enhacement.
Updated: 23 Apr 2018 6:33 EDT
MUFG Pension & Market Services
IN
Below are the different types of Locators in Selenium :
- ID
- Name
- Class Name
- Tag Name
- Link Text
- Partial Link Text
- CSS Selector
- XPath
Selenium does not provide facility to use data-test-id, which is unique id provided by Pega. This is the biggest limitation with Selenium for Pega application.
If we can find a way to use data-test-id then it would be very much helpful to automate Pega applications.
Kind Regards,
Fayaz Chaudhari
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