When automating web applications, using Selenium WebDriver cannot be understated. To effectively use WebDriver with Google Chrome in C#, you must also install ChromeDriver.
ChromeDriver acts as a bridge between WebDriver and the Google Chrome browser. Thus, with the help of C#, you can easily automate your testing process and ensure your web applications function correctly.
This article will guide you on using ChromeDriver C# with Google Chrome and take your web application testing to the next level.
Download Chrome Driver Selenium WebDriver for C#
To begin using ChromeDriver, download the correct version of Chrome that matches the Google Chrome version you are using to ensure no compatibility issues arise during execution.
Download the zip file and extract it to a directory of your choice, like C:\chromedriver for easy access.
Next, install Visual Studio or any other suitable IDE for C# development. Add also the necessary references to enable the use of the ChromeDriver for C#.
To start using the ChromeDriver, initialize a new instance using the command:
iWebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver()
Remember to specify the correct version number in the command to ensure compatibility.
Create a New Visual Studio Project
To start using ChromeDriver with C# in Google Chrome, create a new Visual Studio project. Below are nine steps to help you do it with ease:
- Launch Visual Studio.
- Select “Create a new project.”
- Choose “Console Application” from the options and name the project anything you like.
- Specify the project’s location on your computer.
- Select the .NET framework version that matches your Chrome version. For example, if you are using Chrome version 91, select .NET framework 4.7.2.
- Click “Create” to generate the new project template.
- In the Solution Explorer window, click the project title, and select “Manage NuGet Packages.”
- In the search tab, type “Selenium.WebDriver.ChromeDriver” to install the latest version.
- Add the following code to make a new instance of the ChromeDriver:
string url = “C:\\Users\\YourUserName\\Downloads\\chromedriver_win32.zip”;
var chromeOptions options = new ChromeOptions();
chromeOptions.AddArguments( new List< string >() { “headless” });
var chromeDriverService = ChromeDriverService.CreateDefaultService();
ChromeDriver driver = new ChromeDriver(chromeDriverService, chromeOptions);
driver.Navigate().GoToUrl(url);
Install Required NuGet Package
Before starting using ChromeDriver with C# on Google Chrome, install the required NuGet packages. First, open your project in Visual Studio. After that, right-click on the main folder in the solution explorer.
From there, click “manage NuGet packages” to open the NuGet Package Manager. In the search bar, type in “Selenium.WebDriver” and “Selenium.WebDriver.ChromeDriver” to find the necessary packages. Once you have seen them, click “install” to download and add them to your project.
These packages establish the necessary connections between your code and ChromeDriver. As such, they contain all the required DLL files and ChromeDriver executable (.exe) files to work with C#. Besides that, ensure to install these files in their specified path.
Launch Google Chrome Browser
To launch Google Chrome from a program, you should create a ChromeDriver instance within the main method of your C# code. Specifying the path to the chromedriver.exe binary file downloaded earlier is crucial.
One can launch the Google Chrome browser using the following C# code:
var driver = new ChromeDriver(@”C:\chromedriver\”);
This line of code instantiates a ChromeDriver object. Likewise, it creates an instance of the Google Chrome browser with a default profile.
Moreover, C# allows load extensions, modifies browser settings, and simulates user interactions. Launching Google Chrome from a program using ChromeDriver C# offers:
- Improved efficiency
- Enhanced control
- Flexibility
Navigate to Your Desired URL
When using ChromeDriver in C# with Google Chrome, knowing how to navigate to your desired URL is essential.
The driver’s navigation method is the solution to this requirement. It enables you to direct Chrome to any desired web page with just a single line of code.
Furthermore, this method is straightforward to use. For instance, add the URL in brackets after the GoToUrl function, as shown here:
driver.Navigate().GoToUrl(“https://www.example.com/”).
Once executed, the navigate method will send a GET request to the specified URL and wait for the server’s response. After receiving the response, you will see the page requested on your screen.
Yet, remember that you must use a valid URL, and including the HTTP or HTTPS protocol in the URL is crucial. Additionally, you can use relative URLs to navigate within a website.
Locate and Interact With Web Elements
Element locators provide a unique way to identify and locate elements on a web page, allowing for efficient interaction.
You can use the following methods to use element locators:
- By Name
- By ID
- By XPath
- By CSS Selector
- By Class Name
To locate an element by ID using C#, use the FindElementById method and provide the element ID as the parameter. After finding the element, you can interact with it by clicking, typing, or selecting an option.
Likewise, it is crucial to use element locators accurately to avoid errors, especially when dealing with dynamic web pages. Using incorrect locators could lead to failed automation tests, resulting in undesired outcomes.
Mastering element locators and their interaction methods are key to achieving efficient test automation using C#. With sufficient knowledge, locating and interacting with web elements become more accessible. Thus, leading to improved web automation efficiency.
