As a test automation lead, I have to respond to his question many times in the past, people asked me: Is selenium easy to learn?
There is not a simple answer to this, mostly because it depends on who is asking the question, and what “easy” means to that person.
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What Are the Benefits of Learning Selenium?
As a test automation engineer, you are responsible for designing and implementing automated tests to ensure the quality and reliability of software applications. If you’re considering a career in test automation and are wondering whether Selenium is easy to learn, there are a few things you should consider.
First and foremost, it’s important to ask yourself why you want to become a test automation engineer. If you’re drawn to this career path because of the potential financial rewards, you may find it more challenging to fully understand and excel in this field.
On the other hand, if you have a genuine passion for software quality and are committed to learning and improving your skills, you are more likely to enjoy the process of learning Selenium and be successful in this career.
Additionally, it’s helpful to have some programming experience, as Selenium is a programming tool that allows you to write code to automate tests. If you’re already a software developer or have some familiarity with coding concepts, you may find it easier to learn Selenium.
In short, learning Selenium as a test automation engineer requires a combination of passion, dedication, and technical skills. If you have these qualities and are willing to put in the time and effort to learn, you can become proficient in Selenium and succeed in this rewarding career.
How to learn selenium webdriver?
I wrote an article, a free article, about how to learn selenium webdriver with python, I recommend you to start there if you have no idea where to start.
Learning Selenium WebDriver can be a challenging even if you are a code java user, but it’s a rewarding process for aspiring test automation engineers.
Selenium is a powerful tool that allows you to write code to automate tests for web applications, ensuring the quality and reliability of your software. Here are some steps you can follow to learn Selenium WebDriver:
- Start with the basics: Before diving into Selenium, it’s important to have a strong foundation in programming concepts such as variables, loops, and conditional statements. If you’re not already familiar with these concepts, consider taking an online course or working through a programming tutorial to get up to speed.
- Install the necessary software: To use Selenium, you’ll need to install a few pieces of software, including the Java Development Kit (JDK) and a Java Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like Eclipse or IntelliJ. Make sure you have the latest versions of these tools installed and set up properly before proceeding.
- Learn the Selenium API: Selenium has a rich API (Application Programming Interface) that allows you to interact with web elements and perform various actions, such as clicking, typing, and selecting from dropdown menus. Familiarize yourself with the API by reading the documentation and working through some examples.
- Practice, practice, practice: As with any skill, the best way to learn Selenium is through practice. Work on small projects or exercises to get a feel for how Selenium works and how to use it effectively. As you become more comfortable with the tool, you can tackle more complex tasks.
- Get involved in the community: There are many online communities and forums dedicated to Selenium, where you can ask questions, share your own knowledge, and connect with other users. Participating in these communities can be a great way to learn from experienced users and stay up to date on the latest developments in the field.
By following these steps and putting in the time and effort to learn, you can become proficient in Selenium WebDriver and pursue a rewarding career as a test automation engineer.
What Skills Do You Need for Selenium?
Manual testing
Manual testing understanding is a must for a test automation engineer wannabe. If you want to automate test cases, you need to understand what a test case is, what “precondition” means, and why we need assertions at the end of our test cases. You can not be a car mechanic if you do not understand how a car works.
Programming skills
- Java/Javascript/Python for example
- Object-oriented programming
- Algorithms
Learn Python
I personally recommend this video, which is an excellent start point to learn Python from the beginning:
How to become a test automation engineer?
If you meet the requirements listed above, you are ready to start the journey. My first recommendation is to start learning selenium webdriver, the most popular test automation tool in the market, it´s free and open-source, and I have a great tutorial where I explain step by step, how to learn selenium webdriver with python.
Once you understand the basics, I recommend you to go deeper, buy some books, read the web, join communities and start a job that allows you to learn while you get paid.
Don’t be scared, test automation is wonderful and you are going to enjoy the journey, do not just focus on the goal and do not compare yourself with other people who are more experienced than you, enjoy every moment and practice as much as you can, I assure you that you will get there.
Is selenium easy to learn?
In summary, Selenium is a powerful tool for test automation that can be used to ensure the quality and reliability of software applications.
Selenium is generally considered to be a relatively easy tool to learn and as with any skill, the ease of learning Selenium will depend on some factors,such as your programming experience, your dedication to learning, and your overall aptitude for technical concepts.
The Selenium API is well documented and there are many resources available online to help you get started, including tutorials, examples, and online communities where you can ask questions and connect with other users.
Ultimately, the key to learning Selenium is to be consistent and committed to the process. With practice, patience, and the right resources, you can become proficient in Selenium and pursue a rewarding career as a test automation engineer.
Good luck