Mobile automation testing has emerged as a vital component of the robust mobile software development process, ensuring that the process as a whole will produce solutions of the highest quality while adhering to strict time and budget constraints.
Although many different kinds of mobile test automation tools are available, Appium has emerged as the best due to its exceptional capabilities.
This blog will examine the qualities that make Appium so unique.
What Is Appium?
Appium is an open-source automation testing tool that uses a WebDriver to test native mobile applications and mobile-web applications on iOS and Android.
Sauce Labs created and supports it to automate native and hybrid mobile apps.
Appium is a cross-platform mobile automation testing tool that uses the JSON wire protocol to interact with native iOS and Android apps via Selenium WebDriver.
How Does Appium Work, And Explain The Architecture?
The client, server, and end device are the three main parts that make up the client-server architecture on which Appium is based.
For example, the Appium server uses the HTTP JSONWire Protocol and JSON objects to communicate with the client.
The Appium server recognizes these requests and automatically connects to the appropriate end device. Once the connection is made, the Appium server starts running test cases on the end device.
Appium runs commands on Apple mobile devices and simulators using the XCUITest test framework and on Android smartphones, actual devices, and emulators using the UI Automator test framework.
Why Is Appium So Special?
#01 Using A Standard API
Appium is widely used because it does not require any code changes or recompilation of your app because it uses the standard API across all platforms.
Appium makes writing tests simple for iOS and Android platforms that use the same API. However, separate iOS and Android scripts are still required because the UI elements differ on both platforms.
#02 Use Any Webdriver-Compatible Language.
Appium frees you from being tied to a specific language or framework to write and run tests.
For writing the tests, any WebDriver-compatible language, such as Perl with Selenium WebDriver API, Java, PHP, C#, Python, Ruby, and Javascript with Node.js, can be used.
#03 Testing Framework Of Choice
Appium allows mobility teams to use any testing framework they want. Previously, tests could only be written in Javascript using the UI Automation library for Apple or in Java using the UI Automator of Google. Appium completely altered this scenario.
#04 Cross-Platform Test Automation
It is the best cross-platform mobile app test automation tool because it can test on Android and iOS devices. Appium uses the JSON wire protocol to communicate with Android and iOS devices using Selenium WebDriver.
To automate iOS apps, Appium uses the libraries made available by Apple with the aid of an instrument program. After v9.3, the Instruments API was deprecated in favor of the XCUITest framework in later versions of iOS.
Similar techniques are used in Android, where Appium uses a proxy to send the automation command to the UIAutomator test case that is currently running on the device.
For example, a native UI automation framework for Android called UIAutomator allows JUnit test cases to be executed on the device directly from the command line.
#05 Open Source
One of Appium’s biggest benefits is its open-source testing framework that supports testing on real devices, emulators, simulators, and native, hybrid, and web applications for iOS and Android. It is simpler for new automation engineers to get their questions answered thanks to Appium’s sizable and vibrant open community.
Benefits Of Appium Testing
The following are Appium’s top advantages over other mobile automation test tools:
- On all platforms, Appium uses common automation APIs, so there is no need to change or recompile the app being tested in any way.
- Web-driver is compatible with test scripts written in any programming language, including Java, Objective-C, and JavaScript.
- Able to work with any testing framework.
- Setting up on a different platform is simpler.
- Support various programming languages, including Python, Java, Ruby, PHP, and Node.
- To use the tool, mobile devices don’t need to be installed.
- To interact with native apps, Appium employs the JSON wire protocol from Selenium WebDriver.
- Java can be used to integrate with other tools.
Teams considering Appium as an option or just starting out with automation must look into alternatives before choosing a mobile device cloud with built-in Appium.
Mobile Device Cloud With Built-In Appium Support
In addition to helping with device management and sharing, a mobile device cloud facilitates continuous delivery and automated testing procedures.
Teams can quickly begin automating processes and scale them up with the help of a mobile device cloud with built-in Appium.
Additionally, it will provide extra protection against any difficulties that might arise when using an open-source platform for testing. Here are some advantages of a mobile device cloud that includes built-in Appium support
Downside of appium
Similar to how a coin has two sides, Appium also has a few minor drawbacks. Not supported by Appium is image recognition. Other drawbacks of Appium include its inadequate documentation and protracted installation process.
Despite these drawbacks, Appium provides the broadest range of platform, framework, language, and API support. It supports the device, emulator, and simulator cloud-based testing. It can be compared to other well-known mobile automation tools.
Conclusion
Appium is undoubtedly one of the most popular platforms for mobile app testing, and it is safe to assume that Appium has a strong foothold in mobile test automation.
Appium testing, according to app developers and testers, is the appropriate solution because it can run on many devices and OS versions. To top it off, Appium tests are simple to write. They can be used in a variety of ways.
If you are looking for an automation testing tool, we strongly advise you to begin with TestGrid.
As previously stated, TestGrid enables users to efficiently perform manual and automation testing with many features at a low cost.
So, if you want to get started with TestGrid, click here to sign up for a free trial.