Window handles (getWindowHandles) in Selenium Java - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a window handle in Selenium WebDriver?

A window handle is a unique identifier that Selenium uses to keep track of different browser windows or tabs opened during a test session.

beginner

What does the method getWindowHandles() return in Selenium?

The getWindowHandles() method returns a Set of strings, each representing the unique window handle of every open browser window or tab.

intermediate

How do you switch control to a new browser window using window handles?

You get all window handles using getWindowHandles(), then iterate through them and switch to the desired window using driver.switchTo().window(handle).

intermediate

Why is it important to store the original window handle before opening a new window?

Storing the original window handle lets you switch back to the main window after interacting with new windows or tabs, ensuring your test continues correctly.

beginner

What data structure does getWindowHandles() return and why is it useful?

It returns a Set<String> which ensures all window handles are unique and allows easy iteration to find and switch between windows.

What does getWindowHandles() return in Selenium WebDriver?

A A Set of all open window handles

B The handle of the current window only

C A list of all browser tabs titles

D The URL of the current window

getWindowHandles() returns a Set containing the unique handles of all open browser windows or tabs.

How do you switch to a new window after opening it?

A driver.getWindowHandle(newWindowHandle)

B driver.switchTo().window(newWindowHandle)

C driver.openWindow(newWindowHandle)

D driver.switchTo().frame(newWindowHandle)

You use driver.switchTo().window(handle) to switch control to the window identified by the handle.

Why should you save the original window handle before opening a new window?

A To switch back to it after working with new windows

B To close the original window later

C To refresh the original window

D To maximize the original window

Saving the original handle allows you to return to the main window after interacting with other windows.

Which data structure does getWindowHandles() return?

A Array<String>

B List<String>

C Map<String, String>

D Set<String>

getWindowHandles() returns a Set to ensure uniqueness of window handles.

If you want to close a popup window and return to the main window, what is the correct sequence?

A Switch to popup, close main window

B Switch to main window, close popup

C Close popup, switch to main window handle

D Close main window, switch to popup

You first close the popup window, then switch back to the main window using its saved handle.

Explain how to handle multiple browser windows in Selenium using getWindowHandles().

Think about how Selenium identifies and switches between tabs or windows.

Describe a scenario where you would need to use getWindowHandles() and how you would implement it in a test.

Consider testing a link that opens a popup or new tab.

Practice

1. What does the Selenium method getWindowHandles() return when called?

easy

A. A set of all open window handles (IDs) in the current WebDriver session

B. The handle of the current active window only

C. The title of the current browser window

D. The URL of the current page

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of getWindowHandles()

   This method is designed to return all window handles for every open window or tab in the current browser session.

2. Step 2: Identify the return type

   The method returns a Set of Strings, each representing a unique window handle (ID).

3. Final Answer:

   A set of all open window handles (IDs) in the current WebDriver session -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   getWindowHandles() = all window IDs [OK]

Hint: Remember: getWindowHandles() returns all window IDs as a set [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing getWindowHandles() with getWindowHandle() which returns one handle
• Expecting a list or array instead of a set
• Thinking it returns page titles or URLs

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to get all window handles in Selenium Java?

easy

A. List<String> handles = driver.getWindowHandles();

B. String handles = driver.getWindowHandles();

C. Set<String> handles = driver.getWindowHandles();

D. Set handles = driver.getWindowHandle();

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the return type of getWindowHandles()

   The method returns a Set of Strings, so the variable must be declared as Set<String>.

2. Step 2: Verify method name and syntax

   The correct method is getWindowHandles() (plural), and it belongs to the WebDriver instance named driver.

3. Final Answer:

   Set<String> handles = driver.getWindowHandles(); -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Correct syntax uses Set<String> and getWindowHandles() [OK]

Hint: Use Set<String> for getWindowHandles() return type [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using List instead of Set for window handles
• Calling getWindowHandle() instead of getWindowHandles()
• Assigning to a String instead of a collection

3. Consider the following code snippet:

Set<String> handles = driver.getWindowHandles();
System.out.println(handles.size());

If the browser has 3 tabs open, what will be printed?

medium

A. An exception is thrown

B. 1

C. 0

D. 3

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what getWindowHandles() returns

   It returns a set containing all window handles for every open tab or window.

2. Step 2: Determine the size of the set

   Since there are 3 tabs open, the set will contain 3 unique handles, so size() returns 3.

3. Final Answer:

   3 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Number of tabs = size of handles set = 3 [OK]

Hint: Size of getWindowHandles() set equals number of open tabs/windows [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming size() returns 1 for current window only
• Expecting an exception if multiple tabs exist
• Confusing getWindowHandles() with getWindowHandle()

4. You wrote this code to switch to a new window:

Set<String> handles = driver.getWindowHandles();
String newWindow = handles.iterator().next();
driver.switchTo().window(newWindow);

But it always switches to the original window. What is the likely problem?

medium

A. getWindowHandles() returns an empty set

B. Using iterator().next() returns the first handle, which is the original window

C. switchTo().window() requires window title, not handle

D. You must convert the set to a list before switching

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze iterator().next() behavior on a Set

   Calling iterator().next() on a Set returns the first element, which is usually the original window handle.

2. Step 2: Understand why it switches to original window

   Since newWindow is assigned the original window handle, switching to it does not change the window.

3. Final Answer:

   Using iterator().next() returns the first handle, which is the original window -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   iterator().next() = first handle (original window) [OK]

Hint: iterator().next() returns first handle, often original window [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming iterator().next() gives the new window handle
• Thinking switchTo().window() needs window title
• Not checking if getWindowHandles() is empty

5. You want to switch to a newly opened window different from the original one. Given String originalHandle = driver.getWindowHandle(); and Set<String> allHandles = driver.getWindowHandles();, which code correctly switches to the new window?

hard

A. for (String handle : allHandles) { if (!handle.equals(originalHandle)) { driver.switchTo().window(handle); break; } }

B. driver.switchTo().window(allHandles.iterator().next());

C. driver.switchTo().window(originalHandle);

D. driver.switchTo().window(allHandles.toArray()[0].toString());

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the original window handle

   We have the original window handle stored in originalHandle.

2. Step 2: Loop through all handles to find the new one

   Iterate over all handles and switch to the one that is not equal to the original handle.

3. Step 3: Switch to the new window

   Once found, call driver.switchTo().window(handle) and break the loop.

4. Final Answer:

   for (String handle : allHandles) { if (!handle.equals(originalHandle)) { driver.switchTo().window(handle); break; } } -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Switch to handle != originalHandle [OK]

Hint: Loop handles, skip original, switch to new [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Switching to first handle without checking if it's original
• Using toArray()[0] which may be original window
• Switching to originalHandle instead of new window