Creating new windows/tabs in Selenium Java - Framework Setup Guide

Framework Mode - Creating new windows/tabs

Folder Structure

src/
└── test/
    └── java/
        └── com/
            └── example/
                ├── pages/
                │   ├── BasePage.java
                │   ├── HomePage.java
                │   └── NewTabPage.java
                ├── tests/
                │   └── WindowTabTests.java
                ├── utils/
                │   └── WebDriverFactory.java
                └── config/
                    └── TestConfig.java

Test Framework Layers

• Driver Layer: Manages WebDriver instances and browser setup (e.g., WebDriverFactory.java).
• Page Objects: Encapsulate page elements and actions, including handling multiple windows/tabs (e.g., HomePage.java, NewTabPage.java).
• Tests: Contains test classes that use page objects to perform actions and assertions (e.g., WindowTabTests.java).
• Utilities: Helper classes for common functions like waits, window switching, and test data.
• Configuration: Holds environment settings, browser options, and credentials (e.g., TestConfig.java).

Configuration Patterns

• Environment Properties: Use TestConfig.java or property files to define URLs, browser types, and timeouts.
• Browser Setup: Configure browser options in WebDriverFactory.java to support multiple browsers and headless mode.
• Credentials: Store securely using environment variables or encrypted files, accessed via config classes.
• Window/Tab Handling: Use explicit waits and window handles managed in page objects or utilities to switch between tabs/windows reliably.

Test Reporting and CI/CD Integration

• Use TestNG built-in reports or integrate with Allure for detailed, user-friendly test reports.
• Generate HTML reports after test runs showing pass/fail status and screenshots on failure.
• Integrate tests into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions) to run tests automatically on code changes.
• Configure parallel test execution with proper WebDriver management to handle multiple windows/tabs in parallel runs.

Best Practices

1. Use Page Object Model: Encapsulate window/tab switching logic inside page objects to keep tests clean.
2. Explicit Waits: Always wait for new windows or tabs to appear before switching to avoid flaky tests.
3. Store Window Handles: Save original window handle before opening new tabs to switch back easily.
4. Clean Up: Close new tabs/windows after tests to avoid resource leaks.
5. Isolate Tests: Each test should open and close its own windows/tabs to avoid interference.

Self Check

Where in this folder structure would you add a new page object class to handle interactions on a newly opened browser tab?

Key Result

Use Page Object Model with explicit waits and window handle management to create and test new windows/tabs in Selenium Java.

Practice

1. Which Selenium Java command is used to open a new browser tab?

easy

A. driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB)

B. driver.openNewTab()

C. driver.createTab()

D. driver.newWindow(Tab)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Selenium's new window/tab creation

   Selenium provides a method driver.switchTo().newWindow() to open new tabs or windows.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct WindowType for a tab

   Using WindowType.TAB opens a new tab, which matches driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB).

3. Final Answer:

   driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Open new tab = driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB) [OK]

Hint: Use driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB) for new tabs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using non-existent methods like driver.openNewTab()
• Confusing WindowType.WINDOW with TAB
• Trying to create tabs without switchTo()

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to open a new browser window in Selenium Java?

easy

A. driver.newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW);

B. driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW);

C. driver.switchTo().openWindow(WindowType.WINDOW);

D. driver.openNewWindow(WindowType.WINDOW);

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the correct method to open new windows

   The correct method is driver.switchTo().newWindow() with a WindowType argument.

2. Step 2: Match the exact syntax

   driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW); matches the correct syntax exactly with WindowType.WINDOW.

3. Final Answer:

   driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW); -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Open new window = driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW) [OK]

Hint: Use switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.WINDOW) to open new windows [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting switchTo() before newWindow()
• Using incorrect method names like openWindow()
• Missing semicolon in Java syntax

3. What will be the output of the following Selenium Java code snippet?

driver.get("https://example.com");
String originalHandle = driver.getWindowHandle();
driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.get("https://selenium.dev");
System.out.println(driver.getCurrentUrl());
driver.switchTo().window(originalHandle);
System.out.println(driver.getCurrentUrl());

medium

A. https://selenium.dev
https://selenium.dev

B. https://example.com
https://selenium.dev

C. https://selenium.dev
https://example.com

D. https://example.com
https://example.com

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand window handles and tab switching

   The code opens example.com, saves the original window handle, then opens a new tab and navigates to selenium.dev.

2. Step 2: Analyze the printed URLs

   First print shows the URL of the new tab (selenium.dev). Then it switches back to the original window and prints its URL (example.com).

3. Final Answer:

   https://selenium.dev https://example.com -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Switch tabs = different URLs printed [OK]

Hint: Switching tabs changes current URL output [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming URLs remain the same after switching tabs
• Not saving original window handle before opening new tab
• Confusing getWindowHandle() with getWindowHandles()

4. Identify the error in the following Selenium Java code snippet that tries to open a new tab:

driver.get("https://example.com");
driver.newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.get("https://selenium.dev");

medium

A. No error, code is correct

B. WindowType.TAB is invalid

C. driver.get() cannot be used after newWindow()

D. Missing driver.switchTo() before newWindow()

Solution

1. Step 1: Check method usage for opening new tabs

   The method newWindow() must be called after driver.switchTo().

2. Step 2: Identify the missing part in the code

   The code calls driver.newWindow() directly, which is incorrect syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing driver.switchTo() before newWindow() -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Always use switchTo().newWindow() [OK]

Hint: Always use driver.switchTo() before newWindow() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Calling newWindow() directly on driver
• Confusing WindowType.TAB as invalid
• Thinking driver.get() is restricted after newWindow()

5. You want to open a new tab, navigate to a URL, then switch back to the original tab and verify its title. Which code snippet correctly does this in Selenium Java?

hard

A. String original = driver.getWindowHandle();
driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.get("https://selenium.dev");
driver.switchTo().window(original);
assert driver.getTitle().contains("Example");

B. driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.get("https://selenium.dev");
String original = driver.getWindowHandle();
driver.switchTo().window(original);
assert driver.getTitle().contains("Example");

C. String original = driver.getWindowHandle();
driver.newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.get("https://selenium.dev");
driver.switchTo().window(original);
assert driver.getTitle().contains("Example");

D. driver.get("https://selenium.dev");
driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB);
driver.switchTo().window(original);
assert driver.getTitle().contains("Example");

Solution

1. Step 1: Save original window handle before opening new tab

   We must save the original window handle before opening a new tab to switch back later.

2. Step 2: Open new tab, navigate, then switch back and assert title

   String original = driver.getWindowHandle(); driver.switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB); driver.get("https://selenium.dev"); driver.switchTo().window(original); assert driver.getTitle().contains("Example"); correctly calls switchTo().newWindow(WindowType.TAB), navigates, switches back using saved handle, and asserts title.

3. Final Answer:

   Option A code snippet correctly performs all steps -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Save handle, open tab, switch back, assert [OK]

Hint: Save handle before new tab, switch back to assert [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Saving window handle after opening new tab
• Calling newWindow() without switchTo()
• Not switching back before assertion