Application testing is the technique used to confirm an application’s functionality. This makes it easier to make sure the application performs as expected. Automation testing is crucial because it can run tests fast and effectively, uncover faults and problems that might otherwise go undetected, and raise the application’s overall quality.
The app can be tested manually by running it and testing its features, or it can be tested automatically by writing code to check its functionality without the need for human intervention.
Although several test automation tools are available on the market today, Selenium is the one that is most frequently used. It has developed over time and brought about a significant change in the testing industry. Cypress, however, is currently overtaking another open-source automation tool in popularity. It is an end-to-end testing framework for JavaScript that supports unit, integration, and end-to-end tests.
In this article, we will go into great detail on Cypress testing, including what makes it so popular, what its components are, and how to use it.
Cypress
Cypress is a cutting-edge front-end testing framework designed for modern web applications. The majority of testing tools, like Selenium, work by running outside of the browser and sending networked remote commands. However, the Cypress engine runs directly inside the browser.
This MIT-licensed, open-source framework for end-to-end testing was created in the popular web development language JavaScript. Cypress testing computerization is especially interesting to engineers’ end-to-end framework for website test automation because it uses JavaScript.
The testers create the tests in JavaScript to use Cypress for automating browser tests, and after the code is complete, they may repeatedly test cases with actual browsers. The simplicity and adaptability of this automation testing framework have made it popular with both developers and testers. In fact, after using Cypress for a while, users might be inspired to use it exclusively for all of their development because it offers a platform for efficiently debugging and maintaining the code.
End-to-end tests, integration tests, and unit tests are simple to write and debug with the help of Cypress. There is no need for any additional equipment because Cypress currently includes all the tools needed for end-to-end testing. Installing fewer tools results in quicker setup and more time for test writing.
Since Cypress’s components are tightly integrated, its tests are typically more reliable than those conducted using other frameworks. All types of tests, including unit tests, functional tests, and end-to-end tests, can be automated using Cypress. It may be used to simultaneously perform tests across several browsers and devices.
Why Cypress?
Cypress continuously adds new features and is jam-packed with some excellent features. This makes automating tests a desirable choice for developers and testers. Cypress has a range of features that set it apart, including:
Simple installation- Installing Cypress is simple. It may be set up using Yarn or npm. Installing additional dependencies is not necessary.
Clear API- Cypress provides an API that is simple, clear, and easy to understand. Since every command can be followed by another, writing tests for the code is simple.
Automatic Wait- Implicit or explicit waits are no longer a concern thanks to Cypress’ intelligent automated waiting system. Before taking any action on commands or assertions, it automatically waits for them. As a result, the code is simpler to create and more dependable.
Simple debugging- Cypress enables direct debugging using built-in tools like Developers Tool. Error detection, reading, and stack tracing become incredibly quick with debugging. So there’s no point in wasting time trying to figure out why the test failed.
Control Network Traffic- To prevent network slowness, Cypress executes the majority of its commands within the browser. It contains methods built in to monitor network calls and wait for them to end, as well as to watch all network requests, including retrieve calls. The network call answers can be stubbed by Cypress. As a result, the test executes more quickly and allows it to continue running even if the API for your application has stopped responding.
Visual interface- Cypress performs the tests in a special interactive way that allows users to watch the execution of each test command step-by-step and the results at the same time. One may scroll over the commands in the Cypress Test Runner command log to see exactly what happened at each stage and can capture snapshots while the test runs.
Real-Time Reloads- Cypress is intelligent enough to immediately trigger and run the test in the browser after it is saved, so there is no need to start the test over and over again once any changes are made.
Cross-Browser Testing-Cypress allows users to execute tests locally and efficiently in a continuous integration pipeline utilizing Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and Electron.
Components of Cypress
Cypress has two components. Test Runner, and Dashboard.
Test Runner
It is the special interface used to execute tests that often enables users to see and comprehend what is happening to their tests. Test Status, URL Preview, Viewport Sizing, Command Log, and App Preview are all included.
Test Status- This menu displays the number of tests passed or failed along with the time it took to complete each one.
URL Preview- This displays the URL where tests are run.
Viewport sizing- It specifies the viewport size for the app to test the response.
Command log- The command log is displayed here as the tests run.
App Preview- The app preview for the platform where tests are run is shown.
Dashboard
When Cypress tests are performed via the CI provider, a feature called the Cypress Dashboard enables viewing and accessing recorded tests. It offers an understanding of what happened during the test.
We have already talked about the components of Cypress and the reasons for its popularity; now, let’s examine how this framework functions.
How Cypress works
The Node.js server exists in the background of Cypress and runs after Cypress on the client side. Thus, to support the execution, the Node server and Cypress constantly work together, adapt, and carry out actions on one another’s behalf.
Cypress utilizes both front-end and back-end application strategies, allowing it to respond to incidents that occur in real time within the apps while also carrying out duties that call for additional special privileges outside of the browser.
Through the Web Socket, which begins operating after the proxy is formed, the Node server and browser communicate with one another. Cypress communicates HTTP requests and responses between the browser and the node server.
Cypress is capable of operating at the network layer. It monitors and updates web traffic and assists in changing any code that can obstruct the web browser’s automation. By reading and modifying the web traffic, Cypress communicates with the network layer and intercepts commands.
All commands that are executed on and off the browsers are managed by Cypress. To carry out tasks like taking screenshots, recording videos, accessing the network layer, and managing file system activities, it directly communicates with operating systems.
Getting Started with Cypress Testing
The two primary parts that will be installed with Cypress are the Cypress test runner and dashboard. Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms can all run Cypress.
Since Cypress was created with NodeJS, it must first determine whether Node.js is already set up on the local computer before being installed and used. If it is not there then the Node.js installation for a particular operating system can be downloaded from the official Node.js Downloads page
Cypress can be installed after the most recent version has been downloaded. The entire set of necessary attributes for running the tests is bundled together in a single module called Cypress. Since Cypress is a single module that includes all necessary attributes, adding it to node modules and installing it only takes a few commands. The procedures to install Cypress on a local machine are listed below.
Cypress can be added to node modules via npm, or by using Yarn.
Installing through npm
The Cypress module can be installed by going to the project directory and then running npm install cypress if using npm to handle Node.js dependencies in the project. It will shortly be installed.
Installing through yarn
Install the Cypress module with yarn if the project already uses yarn for Node.js dependencies. There you have it. On the local system, Cypress should be ready to use right there.
After installation, a default Cypress folder structure for the project with pre-added tests for sample testing will be created by the Cypress module. When writing their initial tests, the users can add the various Cypress files in this folder.
The framework’s binaries will be accessible after Cypress has been installed. If Cypress was installed using npm, use npx to start the test runner.
LambdaTest For Cypress Automation Testing
LambdaTest is a cloud-based test automation platform for Agile & Continuous Delivery teams that makes it simple to automate web apps, iOS & Android apps, and APIs. It supports cross-browser testing, offers access to a cloud of more than 3000 real devices, real browsers, and real operating system combinations, and gives the freedom to create test suites for various browsers and versions. To conduct testing, users can also connect emulators and simulators.
LambdaTest quickly and easily integrates with well-known frameworks like Selenium, Appium, Puppeteer, Playwright, Cypress, and others. Running Cypress tests concurrently on the most recent browsers enables development and testing teams to shorten test execution time. Thus applications can be released faster and with higher assurance as a result.
By integrating Cypress with LambdaTest, users can take advantage of speedy and scalable cloud execution, parallel testing, geolocation testing, 24/7 remote access from any location, immediate support for the newest browser versions, integrations with CI/CD pipeline, etc.
Due to LambdaTest’s prioritization and scheduling features, tests can be run continuously and with little to no human interaction. Additionally, it provides visual testing to guarantee that websites and apps provide a consistent user experience across browsers.
LambdaTests also offers integrated advanced test reporting, screenshots, logs, and videos of defects and crashes that are reported through detailed reports via email, Slack, Teams, and other channels.
Conclusion
Automated testing solutions like Cypress are simple to set up and operate. Cypress testing can help developers and testers save a lot of time and make their jobs much simpler.
