TestCafe Framework: The Road to Efficient Testing

In the modern software development environment, where constant progress opens the door to new technologies and challenges, the quality and reliability of software applications becomes a necessity. Automated testing is key to ensuring that software works as it should – and that’s where the TestCafe framework comes in.

Testcafe benefits and characteristics

This modern testing platform offers a number of advantages that make it an attractive choice for developers and testers. No matter if you are a beginner or an experienced tester, TestCafe is a tool you should pay attention to. Here are a few key reasons:

1. Easy Adjustability

TestCafe features a simple installation and setup process. So you don’t have to worry about complicated configurations and dependencies on different tools. Just install TestCafe and you can start writing your tests immediately.

2. No additional tools required

A significant feature of TestCafe is its ability to test web applications without the need for any additional on-screen tools or browser extensions. This means you can run the tests on any device or browser without having to install any other tools.

3. Support for different browsers – TestCafe mobile testing

TestCafe allows you to test web applications on a variety of browsers and devices, including mobile devices. You can make sure your app is fully functional and displays correctly on different platforms.

4. Parallel test execution

Efficiency is crucial in testing. TestCafe allows you to run tests in parallel, which greatly speeds up the overall testing process and saves time.

5. TestCafe architecture and syntax

The syntax of test scenarios in TestCafe is simple and easy to master even by beginners. At the same time, it provides the flexibility to cover a variety of test cases and complex scenarios.

6. Automatic waiting for loading

TestCafe intelligently waits for pages and elements to load, eliminating the need to manually add wait codes. This ensures the reliability of the tests and makes them robust to changes in page load speed.

7. Active Community and Support

TestCafe has an active community and is still evolving. That means you can expect regular updates, bug fixes and new features.

8. Plugins for TestCafe

TestCafe has an extensive community that has created many useful plugins to extend its features and customize the testing process. You can find useful plugins for TestCafe on the official Install Plugins page and on the TestCafe github.

9. TestCafe and Python

The newer version of TestCafe also allows developers to take advantage of Python when writing tests. This interface allows you to write tests in Python, which may be useful for those who are already familiar with the language or prefer its syntax.

How to start testing with TestCafe

Entering the world of automated testing can seem a bit complicated at first, but in the case of TestCafe it’s much easier than you’d think. In this chapter, we’ll look at the steps to get started testing web applications using TestCafe. Regardless of your experience level, you’ll be able to quickly and efficiently get to work creating automated tests.

1. Installation – TestCafe install

The first step is of course to install TestCafe. There are several ways to do this, but the easiest is to install it via the command line or a “package manager” such as npm for JavaScript projects. Just open a command prompt and enter the install command:

TestCafe installation
TestCafe installation

This way it installs globally, which means you’ll be able to access TestCafe from any directory.

2. Creating a test script:

Now that you have TestCafe installed, you can start writing your tests. Create a new file with a .js or .ts extension (for TypeScript) and start writing your first test script. TestCafe uses a simple and intuitive syntax where you define tests as a set of steps and expected results.

Here is an example of a simple test script:

Example of a simple test script

In this example, we imported the necessary modules, defined a test framework (fixture) and created the actual test (test) that verifies the page header.

3. Starting the tests:

With the test script ready, you can start testing. Simply run the command in the command prompt, specifying the name of your test file:

The command will run the test in Chrome, but you can use other browsers as well.
The command will run the test in Chrome, but you can use other browsers as well.

This command will run your test in Chrome. Of course, you can also use other browsers, such as Firefox, Safari or even multiple browsers at once.

4. Analysis of results:

After the test is complete, TestCafe will provide a detailed report on whether the tests passed or failed. These results will help you identify any problems in your application and allow you to quickly fix them.

5. Experimenting and expanding:

If you find TestCafe intuitive and look for new challenges, you can start experimenting with different types of tests, interactions and more complex scenarios. TestCafe allows you to simulate user interactions such as clicking, filling out forms and removing products from the cart.

Best Practices for using TestCafé

  • Balance between UI and unit tests:TestCafe is ideal for UI testing, but is not a replacement for unit tests. Combine UI tests in TestCafe with unit tests for critical parts of the code.
  • Well-structured code: structure your test scripts carefully and create repeatable functions for repeated steps.
  • Same test database: make sure you have the same test data in the test database before you start testing. This will ensure consistent test results.
  • Parallel tests with common sense: Although TestCafé supports parallel tests, beware of running too many tests at the same time, which could cause system overload.
  • Regular test maintenance: as your app updates, update your tests regularly to match the current state of your app.
  • Combination of testcafe wait and testcafe expect for synchronization – optimal synchronization between testcafe wait and testcafe expect is important for the correct functioning of the tests. By using wait to wait for a certain state and then using expect to verify that state, you can get more reliable results.

Following these best practices will help you achieve efficient and reliable testing with TestCafe. It will allow you to better control the quality of web applications and minimize the risk of errors.

TestCafe versus other popular testing tools

TestCafe is one of many tools for automated testing of web applications, so it’s worth comparing it to other popular tools like Selenium and Cypress. Each of these tools has advantages and limitations, and the choice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the team.

Click here to view the table correctly on your mobile.

Criterion Testcafe Selenium Cypress
Installation and configuration Simple and fast More complex Simple and fast
Syntax Intuitive Complicated Intuitive
Parallel testing Supported by Supported by Limited
Cross-browser testing Yes Yes Limited
Mobile testing Yes Yes Limited
Integration Available plugins Miscellaneous Limited
Support and community Active large, diverse active, growing
Documentation Comprehensive Extensive Good
Flexibility high Medium Medium
End-to-end testing Supported by Supported by Limited

TestCafe vs Selenium

TestCafe is a simple tool for automated testing of web applications with easy installation and use, making it suitable for beginners. It uses JavaScript, doesn’t need external browser drivers and offers easy parallel testing. It is ideal for those looking for a quick start and simplicity.

Selenium is a more powerful and flexible tool for automated testing with wide support for different languages. It requires the installation of WebDriver for different browsers and is suitable for advanced users who need specialized configuration and more options. It is ideal for projects that require advanced functionality and multilingual support.

Testcafe vs Cypress

TestCafe is ideal for beginners and teams that prefer simpler solutions. It does not need WebDriver installation, provides support for parallel tests and different browsers.

Cypress, on the other hand, stands out for its speed and real-time reactive testing. It’s a great tool for testing modern web applications, but requires more knowledge and customization. It is also limited in its parallel, mobile testing capabilities and does not support all browsers (such as Safari).

TestCafe v3.0.0: News and improvements

TestCafe, the popular test automation tool for web applications, has received a major upgrade. With the new version 3.0.0, it brings several significant changes that will improve the efficiency, stability and speed of testing. Take a look at the main changes and new features this update brings.

1. Native automation with CDP

One of the main new features of version 3.0.0 is the implementation of native automations using CDP (Chrome DevTools Protocol). This capability allows TestCafe to run tests in Chromium-based browsers (such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge) using the native protocol. This increases the quality, stability and speed of the tests.

A significant improvement is the elimination of the need to use external libraries to control browsers, resulting in more reliable and efficient tests. With CDP’s native automations, developers can trust tests more and have greater confidence in the results.

2. New options in Hooks

With version 3.0.0 comes the ability to access test and fixtur data in the so-called. “hookoch”. Hooks are pieces of code that run before or after tests are executed. We can now access various test and fixtur related information in these hooks, such as names, metadata and file paths. This change allows programmers to better customize their test environment and get more information about the test runtime.

3. Control the print dialog boxes

Another useful new feature in TestCafe v3.0.0 is the ability to control the print dialog. A new method called t.setNativeDialogHandler allows you to automate the closing of the print dialog. This is a very useful feature in automated testing where such dialogs could cause the test to deadlock.

4. Discontinuation of support for Internet Explorer

Version 3.0.0 also introduces a change that may affect some users. TestCafe removes support for Internet Explorer 11. This change comes six months after the official end of support for this browser. The move is motivated by the fact that Internet Explorer is no longer a modern browser and its market share is minimal.

5. Bug fixes and improvements

In addition to the main new features, TestCafe v3.0.0 also brings a solution to several bugs that could affect the testing flow. These fixes include, for example, correct processing of request headers when using native automations or improved support for some client features.

TestCafe API testing

TestCafe offers you the ability to efficiently test web application APIs. If you need to ensure the reliability of your server components, you can do without the t.request method . This method allows you to uncomplicatedly send HTTP requests to the server and then carefully analyze the responses you get from it.

TestCafe API Testing opens the door for you to test different aspects of your API with an emphasis on correct status codes, quality headers and expected response content. It is in this way that you can verify that your API is returning the expected HTTP states, including for example the correct 200 OK. You can also pay attention to the correctness of the response headers and the accuracy of the data your API provides.

TestCafe Studio

TestCafe Studio is a commercial tool for automated testing of web applications developed by DevExpress.

Its main advantage is the graphical interface, which allows you to create tests by simply dragging and dropping, without the need to write code. This tool is aimed at easing the process of creating and maintaining tests, especially for those without development skills.

In addition, TestCafe Studio is integrated with a variety of developer tools and test management systems, facilitating streamlined workflow and collaboration. However, all these benefits come at a price, as TestCafe Studio is a license-bound tool, while TestCafe is open-source and available for free.

Find more about TestCafe Studio on devexpress – TestCafe Studio.

Conclusion

Getting started with TestCafe is relatively easy and quick. Its intuitive syntax and parallel testing capability make it the ideal choice for anyone who wants to ensure the performance and reliability of web applications. Gradually get familiar with the different features, experiment and don’t be afraid to share your experiences and questions with the community that can support you and help you on your way to becoming an experienced tester.

If you’re a tester, take a look at our testing jobs, you might find something that interests you. There is a pleasant atmosphere in our company, see our photo gallery and employee benefits.

About the author

Katarína Kučáková

Software Test Engineer

Moja cesta k testovaniu softvéru sa začala v roku 2019 až po štúdiu ekonómie a pracovných skúsenostiach v iných odvetviach. To mi pomohlo vnímať IT svet v rôznych súvislostiach. Ten totiž ponúka neustále nové výzvy, pre ktoré rada hľadám riešenia. Obľubujem oddych pri čítaní, turistiku alebo lyžovanie. LinkedIn

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