Selenium RC (Remote Control) is an integral part of the Selenium test suite, widely recognized for its versatility in automating user interface (UI) tests for web applications. It allows testers to write test scripts that interact with web pages on any HTTP-based website.
One of Selenium’s most significant advantages is its flexibility, allowing Quality Assurance (QA) engineers and developers to build test cases using a wide range of programming languages, including Java, C#, Python, Ruby, and more.
This broad language compatibility makes Selenium RC (Remote Control) highly adaptable, enabling seamless integration of automated tests into diverse development environments. This versatility ensures that teams can use the programming languages they are most comfortable with, streamlining the testing process and making it more efficient across different platforms and projects.
Additionally, this adaptability enhances collaboration between QA and development teams, driving more effective test automation solutions.
It was especially useful for cross browser testing before the advent of Selenium WebDriver, as it facilitated automated testing across various browsers and platforms
Selenium RC is divided into two components:
- Client libraries for the most popular programming language
- a server that automatically starts and shuts off browsers
You will learn more about Selenium WebDriver’s main distinctions from Selenium Remote Control (RC) in this article. Check out the Selenium course online to learn more.
Additionally, it will show you how Selenium WebDriver altered the testing environment by overcoming the drawbacks of Selenium RC.
Although both RC and WebDriver are test automation technologies that support several programming languages, they have some significant distinctions.
The architecture of Selenium RC has proven to be challenging for the following reasons:
- Before running test scripts, an additional program called Selenium Remote Control Server must be installed and launched.
- The RC server serves as a liaison between Selenium commands and the browser.
- When a test script is run in Selenium RC, the following tasks are completed in the background:
The Selenium Core Javascript software is injected into the browser by the RC server.
- When the Selenium Core software is injected, the RC server begins sending instructions based on test scripts to it.
- All of these directives are carried out by Selenium Core as JavaScript commands.
- Web browsers execute all the commands given by Selenium Core and return the test summary back to the server
Limitations of Selenium RC
Complicated Architecture
Because Selenium RC instructs the browser using JavaScript commands, running test scripts takes some time. This causes performance to be sluggish.
Less object-oriented APIs
Headless HTMLUnit browsers (invisible browsers) are not supported.
The Selenium WebDriver automation framework was created as a result of the shortcomings of Selenium RC. Problems with RC could be addressed and fixed after the release of WebDriver in 2006.
How WebDriver took over Selenium RC?
Selenium WebDriver took over Selenium RC by offering a simpler, more efficient architecture for automating web tests. Unlike Selenium RC, which relied on a proxy server to inject scripts into the browser, WebDriver interacts directly with the web browser at the operating system (OS) level.
This direct communication streamlines the testing process by eliminating the need for a separate server, significantly reducing complexity and enhancing performance. WebDriver also supports advanced browser automation, including handling elements like alerts and pop-ups more effectively.
To execute test scripts using Selenium WebDriver, all that’s needed is a web browser to run the tests on and an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) to write the code in the chosen programming language.
WebDriver’s design makes it faster, more reliable, and easier to use than Selenium RC, and its compatibility with various browsers and operating systems has made it the standard tool for web automation today.
What makes WebDriver the better choice?
A collection of simple instructions and a more condensed API are features of WebDriver.
Due to direct browser calls made by test scripts using browser drivers specific to a certain browser, they execute test scripts more quickly than Selenium RC.
Additionally, Headless HTMLUnit browser, iPhone Driver, and AndroidDriver are supported by WebDriver.
Remarkably, Selenium WebDriver is quicker and more effective than RC. However, RC has an edge over WebDriver when it comes to producing reports because the outcomes are produced automatically as an HTML file. WebDriver does not have access to this feature.
One of the most popular test automation frameworks in the testing environment is without a doubt Selenium WebDriver. Because of its straightforward design and user-friendly features, it has emerged as a favourite among testers at large.
Difference between Selenium RC and WebDriver
So, let’s have a look at Selenium RC vs. WebDriver:
Architecture
The architecture of WebDriver is less complex than that of Selenium RC.
- Because of how the Operating System controls the browser.
- For WebDriver to function, simply a browser and an IDE are required.
- Compared to WebDriver, Selenium RC’s architecture is more challenging.
Before beginning the test cases, users must first install and run a separate program called the Selenium RC server.
Between the Selenium commands and the browser, RC functions as a middleman.
Test case execution speed
Because WebDriver scripts interact directly with the browser, they run significantly more quickly than Selenium RC scripts. Because RC scripts operate on the same principles as JavaScript programs, they execute more slowly than Selenium WebDriver. The Selenium Core directly controls the browser.
Object-Oriented
In contrast to Selenium WebDriver, which is entirely object-oriented, RC is not very object-oriented.
Web page
Different browsers, including Chrome, IE, Safari, Opera, Mozilla, and others, can use both the RC and WebDriver. The headless browser is supported by WebDriver but it is not by RC; this is the only distinction.
XPath
Selenium WebDriver does not require using the full XPath to find an element, allowing testers to use more flexible and efficient locators such as partial XPath or other strategies like CSS selectors, ID, and class names. In contrast, Selenium RC requires the use of the full XPath to locate elements, which can make test scripts more cumbersome and harder to maintain, especially for complex web pages.
This added flexibility in WebDriver simplifies the process of identifying elements, making test automation more streamlined and adaptable.
App testing
While testing any type of Android or iPhone application is not possible with Selenium RC, it is possible with Selenium WebDriver. WebDriver supports mobile application testing through tools like Appium, enabling testers to automate tests on both Android and iOS platforms.
This cross platform capability makes WebDriver a more versatile solution for modern application testing, as it extends beyond web applications to cover mobile app testing as well.
Implementation of listeners
In contrast to Selenium WebDriver, which supports the use and performance of listener capabilities, Selenium RC does not offer this functionality. WebDriver allows testers to implement event listeners, which can be used to monitor and respond to specific actions during test execution, such as before or after a test case is run, or when certain conditions are met.
This feature enhances the flexibility and control over testing processes, enabling better tracking, logging, and debugging of tests. In comparison, Selenium RC lacks this advanced capability, making WebDriver a more powerful and versatile tool for modern automation testing.
Syntax
While the syntax of Selenium RC is somewhat sophisticated and requires more steps to execute tests, the syntax of Selenium WebDriver is much simpler and easier to comprehend. WebDriver eliminates the need for complex configurations and streamlines the process, making it more intuitive for testers to write and execute scripts. This simplicity has contributed to WebDriver’s widespread adoption in the automation testing industry, as it offers both efficiency and ease of use.
Real-life Interaction
Selenium WebDriver interacts with webpage components more naturally. For instance, WebDriver is unable to select any value from a dropdown if the dropdown is disabled on the web application you are testing, just as a real human is unable to do so.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Selenium RC was a groundbreaking tool in the early days of web application automation testing, offering testers and developers the ability to write test cases in multiple programming languages. By using a proxy server to interact with web browsers, Selenium RC provided a flexible and powerful framework that enabled automated testing across different environments and platforms.
Its ability to support multiple browsers and work with any HTTP-based website made it an essential tool for quality assurance in web development.
However, as web technology advanced, the complexities and limitations of Selenium RC became apparent, particularly in its architecture and speed. Selenium WebDriver, which replaced Selenium RC, introduced a more streamlined approach by directly interacting with browsers at the OS level, offering greater efficiency and simplicity.
Despite being replaced, Selenium RC played a crucial role in paving the way for modern browser automation tools, and its legacy remains an important chapter in the evolution of automated testing frameworks.
Check out the Selenium training online to learn more about Selenium RC.
Call to Action
If you’re interested in mastering web automation and understanding the evolution of testing frameworks, learning about Selenium RC is a great starting point. Though it has been replaced by Selenium WebDriver, understanding Selenium RC’s role in the history of automation testing can provide valuable insight into how modern tools have evolved.
To further enhance your skills, H2K Infosys offers comprehensive Selenium training programs that cover both the foundational concepts of Selenium RC and the advanced features of WebDriver.
At H2K Infosys, you can gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge in automation testing, setting you up for success in a competitive job market. Whether you’re new to automation or looking to sharpen your existing skills, H2K Infosys provides the expertise and guidance you need to excel.
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