How can I handle the frequent updates in the HTML structure of the application?
I am currently asked for a task with automation bid the testing of a web-based application feature which involves the selection of the elements based on their XPath expression. However, I noticed that Xpath expressions are prone to frequent updates in the HTML structure of the application. How can I handle this particular situation so that I can ensure the stability and reliability of my test automation by using XPath?
In the context of selenium, you can handle this particular situation where XPath expressions are very much prone to change due to frequent updates in the HTML structure of the application by using the following steps:-
Use relative XPath
You can use relative XPath expression instead of relying on absolute expression. The relative expression is less likely to be affected by changes in the html structure.
Leverage unique attributes
You can identify the unique attribute or even a combination of attributes to target the elements and construction of Xpath expression based on these attributes. You can use attributes such as IDs, classes, or data attributes which are less likely to be changed.
Avoid fragile Xpath pattern
You can avoid Xpath elements which rely heavily on the position or even structure of elements in the DOM as these are prone to breaking when the HTML structure changes.
Regularly expression matching
If the structure of the HTML of the application is somewhat consistent however the attribute values change frequently then you can consider using the regular expression matching within the XPath expression.
Dynamic Xpath generation
You can try to execute dynamic Xpath generation techniques which can adapt to changes in the structure of the HTML at runtime. It may involve using the Xpath function or even libraries to generate Xpath expressions dynamically based on certain criteria or even patterns.