Ace Your Next WebdriverIO Interview: Top 35 Questions and Answers

Are you preparing for an upcoming WebdriverIO interview? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled 35 of the most commonly asked WebdriverIO interview questions, covering a wide range of topics from beginner to advanced levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out with WebdriverIO, this article will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to impress your potential employer.

What is WebdriverIO?

WebdriverIO is a next-generation browser automation framework designed to automate modern web and mobile applications. It provides a simple and easy-to-use interface for writing and executing tests, and supports multiple programming languages such as JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python. With its extensive set of built-in commands and assertions, users can quickly develop and execute test cases.

One of the primary benefits of WebdriverIO is its ability to run tests simultaneously across various browsers and devices, significantly speeding up the testing process and ensuring comprehensive coverage of your applications.

Beginner Level WebdriverIO Interview Questions

Let’s start with the fundamentals of WebdriverIO, including its purpose, benefits, installation, configuration, and basic commands.

1. What is WebDriverIO, and what is its purpose?
   WebDriverIO is an open-source browser automation testing framework that enables developers and testers to automate interactions with web applications. The framework offers a simple and user-friendly interface for generating and running tests, supports many different programming languages, and has a large selection of built-in commands and assertions. Its goal is to automatically test web apps to ensure they function as planned and detect faults and errors before they are released.

2. How do you install WebDriverIO?
   Using Node Package Manager (NPM), you can install WebDriverIO by running the following command in the terminal:

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   npm install webdriverio

3. What are some advantages of using WebDriverIO for browser automation testing?
   Some benefits of using WebDriverIO for browser automation testing include cross-browser testing, ease of use, flexibility, and an active community. Additionally, WebDriverIO offers a broad range of built-in commands and assertions and supports various programming languages.

4. What is a Page Object in WebDriverIO?
   A Page Object is a design pattern WebDriverIO uses to separate each web page element into its classes, making it simpler to manage and update the test code. Tests become more modular, reusable, and manageable by enclosing the components and functionality of a web page into a Page Object.

5. How do you launch a browser in WebDriverIO?
   To start a browser, you can utilize the browser object in WebDriverIO and call the init() method with the required capabilities and settings. For instance, you can enter the following code to launch Chrome:

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   const { remote } = require('webdriverio');const options = {    capabilities: {        browserName: 'chrome'    }};const browser = await remote(options);

Intermediate WebDriverIO Interview Questions

If you have used WebDriverIO before and are preparing for an intermediate-level interview, you might be familiar with the fundamentals of the tool and its primary functions. In this set of intermediate-level interview questions and answers, we’ll cover WebDriverIO-related subjects like implementing best practices for code organization and maintainability, working with multiple browsers and platforms, and using advanced commands and techniques for testing complex web applications.

1. What are selectors in WebDriverIO, and what are some types of selectors?
   WebDriverIO uses selectors to identify elements on a web page. Tag names, classes, IDs, and CSS selectors are a few examples of selector types. The following code, for instance, can be used to select an element with a particular ID:

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   const element = await browser.$('#my-element-id');

2. What is an implicit wait in WebDriverIO, and how is it useful?
   An implicit wait in WebDriverIO is a synchronization that waits for a given period for an element to be present before throwing an exception. This is helpful when working with web apps with dynamic parts that load asynchronously. For instance, you can use the following code to specify an implicit wait time of 10 seconds:

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   browser.setTimeout({    implicit: 10000});

3. What is a promise in WebDriverIO, and how is it used?
   A promise is a JavaScript object that represents whether an asynchronous operation will succeed or fail. The getText() method of WebDriverIO returns a promise that resolves to the visible text of an element, among many other ways that return promises. With async/await syntax, promises can be leveraged to create clearer and easier to read code.

4. What is the difference between getText() and getValue() in WebDriverIO?
   WebDriverIO’s getText() and getValue() functions retrieve text values from web elements. However, they have various return types and can be used for different elements. The following table compares the two approaches:

   Feature	getText()	getValue()
   Usage	Used to find an element’s visible text.	Used to find the value of a form element.
   Compatibility	Works with the majority of web element types	Works for form elements, including checkboxes, radio buttons, and text fields, among others.
   Text Visibility	Overlooks hidden text.	Regardless of visibility, it returns the form element’s current value.

5. How do you perform drag and drop actions in WebDriverIO?
   Use the dragAndDrop() method provided by the browser object to carry out drag and drop actions in WebDriverIO. For instance, you can use the following code to drag an element to a particular location:

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   const element = await browser.$('#my-element');await browser.dragAndDrop(element, { x: 100, y: 100 });

6. What is the difference between waitForEnabled() and waitForDisplayed() in WebDriverIO?
   The waitForEnabled() and waitForDisplayed() methods in WebDriverIO are used to wait for elements to become available on the page. They differ in terms of what they wait for and when they consider an element “ready.” Here is a table comparing the two approaches:

   Feature	waitForEnabled()	waitForDisplayed()
   Check for visibility	Does not require the element to be visible on the page	Requires the element to be visible on the page
   Return value	Returns true as soon as the element is found in the DOM	Returns true only when the element is found in the DOM and is visible on the page
   Timeout	Will wait for the specified timeout period for the element to exist in the DOM	Will wait for the specified timeout period for the element to exist in the DOM and be visible on the page
   Usage	Useful when an element is not necessarily visible but needs to be interacted with (e.g., hidden input field)	Useful when an element needs to be interacted with and is also expected to be visible on the page

7. How do you handle alerts and pop-ups in WebDriverIO?
   The alertAccept(), alertDismiss(), and alertText() methods provided by the browser object can be used by WebDriverIO to manage alerts and pop-ups. You can use the following code to accept an alert:

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   await browser.acceptAlert();

8. What are the benefits of using the Page Object Model (POM) in WebDriverIO?
   The benefits of using the Page Object Model (POM) in WebDriverIO include:

   • Better code organization and maintenance: By separating your page objects from your test code, you can generate more modular, reusable code that is simpler to update and maintain.
   • Improved test readability and maintainability: You can make your tests easier to understand and less brittle by encapsulating page-specific elements and functionality in page objects. It will also lower the risk of errors and failures due to changes to the application or user interface.
   • Better collaboration and communication: By adopting a common language and structure for your page objects, you can ensure that testers, developers, and stakeholders agree regarding the UI and functionality of the application.

Advanced WebdriverIO Interview Questions

If you are an expert in WebDriverIO and are preparing for an advanced interview, this segment has you covered with advanced WebDriverIO-related topics such as advanced test methodologies, performance testing, integration with CI/CD pipelines, and advanced automation techniques. You can demonstrate your ability to use WebDriverIO to build and execute complex testing solutions and establish your worth as an expert in test automation by showcasing your understanding of these advanced concepts.

1. What is a custom command in WebDriverIO, and how do you create one?
   In WebDriverIO, a custom command is a user-defined command that extends the capabilities of the framework. The addCommand() method of the browser object can be used to construct a custom command. Use the following code to build a custom command that clicks on an element and waits for it to disappear:

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   browser.addCommand('clickAndDisappear', async function (selector) {    const element = await this.$(selector);    await element.click();    await element.waitForDisplayed({ reverse: true });});

2. How do you run tests in parallel in WebDriverIO?
   Utilize a test runner like Mocha or Jasmine to execute several tests parallel in WebDriverIO. Parallelism can be achieved by setting the test runner to execute several instances of the WebDriverIO tests. You can also run tests on numerous browser instances simultaneously with WebDriverIO’s multi remote option.

3. What is a hook in WebDriverIO, and mention types of hooks?
   A hook in WebDriverIO is a function that executes before or after a test or a set of tests at a certain point in the test lifecycle. Hooks are used for preparing the testing environment, carrying out specific tasks, and clearing up when the tests have been executed. The test execution procedure can be customized using a variety of hooks that WebDriverIO permits. These include before-and-after hooks for test suites, before-and-after hooks for commands, and before-and-after hooks at the runner level. The test data setup, logging additional information, capturing images, and handling issues are just a few of the functions that hooks may carry out.

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   beforeEach(() => {    console.log('Running test...');});

4. How do you take screenshots in WebDriverIO?
   You can utilize the saveScreenshot() function offered by the browser object in WebDriverIO to capture screenshots. The following code can be used to capture a screenshot of the current page:

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   await browser.saveScreenshot('screenshot.png');

5. What is a visual regression test, and how do you implement it in WebDriverIO?
   A visual regression test evaluates a web page’s visual output before and after a change to detect any unintentional changes. Use a tool like WebdriverCSS or WebdriverIO-visual-regression-service, which compares web page screenshots to look for visual differences, to perform a visual regression test in WebDriverIO. For instance, you can use the following code to conduct visual regression testing using WebdriverCSS:

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   const webdrivercss = require('webdrivercss');webdrivercss.init(browser, {    screenshotRoot: 'my-screenshots',    failedComparisonsRoot: 'my-failures'});describe('My website', () => {    it('should look the same', () => {        browser.url('https://example.com');        browser.webdrivercss('homepage', {            elem: '#my-element'        });    });});

6. How do you interact with iframes in WebDriverIO?
   The switchToFrame() method provided by the browser object can be utilized by WebDriverIO to interact with iframes. For instance, you can execute the following code to switch to an iframe with a specific ID:

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   await browser.switchToFrame('#my-iframe');

7. What is the difference between browser.url() and browser.navigateTo() in WebDriverIO?
   browser.url() navigates to a new URL while browser.navigateTo() navigates to a new URL and runs the associated hooks and commands.

   Feature	browser.url()	browser.navigateTo()
   Navigation method	Instantly opens the URL in the active tab.	Open a new tab with the URL.
   Compatibility	Compatible with both Selenium and WebDriverIO	Compatible with WebDriverIO only
   History	Overwrites browser history	Adds a new entry to the browser history
   Chaining	Returns the browser object and can be chained with other methods	Returns the browser object. It can be chained with other methods

8. How do you interact with a select dropdown in WebDriverIO?
   You can utilize the selectByVisibleText(), selectByAttribute(), and selectByIndex() methods of the browser object to interact with a select dropdown in WebDriverIO. For instance, you can use the below code to choose an option based on its visible text:

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   const select = await browser.$('#my-select');await select.selectByVisibleText('Option 1');

9. How do you interact with a file input element in WebDriverIO?
   Use the chooseFile() function provided by the browser object to interact with a file input element in WebDriverIO. As an illustration, you can use the following code to select a file to upload:

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   const input = await browser.$('#my-input');await input.chooseFile('/path/to/file');

10. What is the difference between waitForExist() and waitForDisplayed() in WebDriverIO?

    Feature	waitForExist()	waitForDisplayed()
    Check for visibility	Does not require the element to be visible on the page	Requires the element to be visible on the page
    Return value	Returns true as soon as the element is found in the DOM	Returns true only when the element is found in the DOM and is visible on the page
    Timeout	Will wait for the specified timeout period for the element to exist in the DOM	Will wait for the specified timeout period for the element to exist in the DOM and be visible on the page
    Usage	Useful when an element is not necessarily visible but needs to be interacted with (e.g., hidden input field)	Useful when an element needs to be interacted with and is also expected to be visible on the page

11. How do you scroll to an element in WebDriverIO?
    Use the scrollIntoView() method provided by the browser object to scroll to an element in WebDriverIO. For example, use the following code to scroll to an element with a particular ID:

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    const element = await browser.$('#my-element');await element.scrollIntoView();

12. How do you handle alerts in WebDriverIO?
    The alertAccept() and alertDismiss() methods provided by the browser object can be used by WebDriverIO to handle alerts. For example, enter the following code to acknowledge an alert:

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    await browser.acceptAlert();

13. How do you perform drag and drop operations in WebDriverIO?
    Use the browser object’s dragAndDrop() method to carry out drag and drop operations in WebDriverIO. You can use the code below, to move an element to a new location:

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    const source = await browser.$('#my-source-element');const target = await browser.$('#my-target-element');await browser.dragAndDrop(source, target);

14. How do you wait for an element to be clickable in WebDriverIO?
    Use the waitForClickable() method provided by the browser object to wait for an element to become clickable in WebDriverIO. For instance, you can use the following code to wait for a button with a specified ID to become clickable:

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    await browser.$('#my-button').waitForClickable();

15. How do you interact with cookies in WebDriverIO?
    The setCookies(), getCookies(), and deleteCookies() methods offered by the browser object can be used to interact with cookies in WebDriverIO. Use the below code to set a cookie:

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    await browser.setCookies({    name: 'my-cookie',    value: 'my-value'});

16. How do you simulate keyboard events in WebDriverIO?
    You can use the keys() function provided by the browser object to simulate keyboard events in WebDriverIO. For instance, use the following code to send the Tab key:

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    await browser.keys(['Tab']);

17. How do you run tests in parallel using WebDriverIO?