Maximize and minimize window in Selenium Python - Framework Patterns

Framework Mode - Maximize and minimize window

Folder Structure

selenium_python_project/
├── src/
│   ├── pages/
│   │   └── base_page.py
│   ├── tests/
│   │   └── test_window_actions.py
│   ├── utils/
│   │   └── driver_factory.py
│   └── config/
│       └── config.yaml
├── reports/
├── requirements.txt
└── pytest.ini
  

Test Framework Layers

• Driver Layer: driver_factory.py creates and manages WebDriver instances.
• Page Objects: base_page.py contains common browser actions like maximize and minimize window.
• Tests: test_window_actions.py contains test cases to verify maximize and minimize window functionality.
• Utilities: Helper functions or classes for driver setup and teardown.
• Configuration: config.yaml stores environment settings like browser type and URLs.

Configuration Patterns

Use a config.yaml file to store environment variables such as:

• Browser type (e.g., chrome, firefox)
• Base URL
• Timeouts

Load these settings in driver_factory.py to create the WebDriver accordingly.

Example snippet from config.yaml:

browser: chrome
base_url: "https://example.com"
timeout: 10
  

Test Reporting and CI/CD Integration

• Use pytest with pytest-html plugin to generate HTML reports after test runs.
• Reports are saved in the reports/ folder for easy access.
• Integrate tests into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, Jenkins) to run tests automatically on code changes.
• Failing tests will be clearly reported with screenshots if configured.

Framework Design Principles

• Page Object Model: Keep window actions in a base page class to reuse across pages.
• Explicit Waits: Use waits to ensure the page is ready before maximizing or minimizing.
• Driver Factory: Centralize WebDriver creation to easily switch browsers.
• Config Driven: Use config files to avoid hardcoding browser or URL values.
• Clear Reporting: Generate readable reports to quickly identify window action test results.

Self Check

Where in this folder structure would you add a new method to minimize the browser window?

Hint: Think about where common browser actions are stored.

Key Result

Use a Page Object Model with a driver factory and config files to manage maximize and minimize window actions cleanly.

Practice

1. What does the maximize_window() method do in Selenium WebDriver?

easy

A. It minimizes the browser window to the taskbar.

B. It closes the browser window.

C. It refreshes the current page.

D. It makes the browser window full screen.

Solution

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

   The method is designed to enlarge the browser window to fill the screen.

2. Step 2: Compare with other window methods

   Unlike minimize_window() which hides the window, maximize_window() expands it fully.

3. Final Answer:

   It makes the browser window full screen. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   maximize_window() = full screen [OK]

Hint: Maximize means full screen, minimize means hide [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing maximize with minimize
• Thinking maximize closes the window
• Assuming maximize refreshes the page

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to minimize the browser window using Selenium in Python?

easy

A. driver.minimizeWindow()

B. driver.minimize()

C. driver.minimize_window()

D. driver.window.minimize()

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Selenium WebDriver method names

   The correct method to minimize the window is minimize_window() called on the driver object.

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   Options A, B, and C use incorrect method names or wrong casing.

3. Final Answer:

   driver.minimize_window() -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Correct method name = minimize_window() [OK]

Hint: Use exact method names with underscores in Selenium [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using camelCase instead of snake_case
• Calling minimize() without _window
• Trying to access window as a property

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

from selenium import webdriver

driver = webdriver.Chrome()
driver.maximize_window()
size = driver.get_window_size()
print(size)

medium

A. {'width': 0, 'height': 0}

B. A dictionary with the current window width and height after maximizing

C. An error because get_window_size() is not a valid method

D. None

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand maximize_window() effect

   This method makes the browser window full screen, so the size will reflect the screen dimensions.

2. Step 2: Check get_window_size() output

   This method returns a dictionary with keys 'width' and 'height' showing current window size.

3. Final Answer:

   A dictionary with the current window width and height after maximizing -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   maximize_window() + get_window_size() = size dict [OK]

Hint: get_window_size() returns dict with width and height [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting get_window_size() to return None or error
• Thinking maximize_window() does not affect size
• Confusing method names

4. Identify the error in the following Selenium Python code that tries to minimize the browser window:

from selenium import webdriver

driver = webdriver.Firefox()
driver.minimize()

medium

A. The method minimize() does not exist; should use minimize_window()

B. Firefox driver does not support window operations

C. Missing parentheses after webdriver.Firefox

D. minimize() should be called before creating the driver

Solution

1. Step 1: Check method name correctness

   The method to minimize the window is minimize_window(), not minimize().

2. Step 2: Verify driver and method compatibility

   Firefox driver supports window operations, so the error is due to wrong method name.

3. Final Answer:

   The method minimize() does not exist; should use minimize_window() -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct method = minimize_window() [OK]

Hint: Use full method names exactly as in docs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using minimize() instead of minimize_window()
• Assuming Firefox driver lacks window methods
• Forgetting parentheses on driver creation

5. You want to test how your website behaves when the browser window is minimized and then maximized again. Which sequence of Selenium Python commands correctly achieves this?

hard

A. driver.minimize_window()
driver.maximize_window()

B. driver.maximize_window()
driver.minimize_window()

C. driver.set_window_size(0, 0)
driver.maximize_window()

D. driver.minimize()
driver.maximize()

Solution

1. Step 1: Minimize the window first

   Use minimize_window() to hide the browser window.

2. Step 2: Maximize the window after minimizing

   Use maximize_window() to restore it to full screen.

3. Step 3: Verify method correctness

   Options A, C, and D use incorrect methods or order; A reverses the intended test flow.

4. Final Answer:

   driver.minimize_window() driver.maximize_window() -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Minimize then maximize = B [OK]

Hint: Minimize first, then maximize to test window state changes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Reversing the order of minimize and maximize
• Using incorrect method names like minimize()
• Trying to set size to zero instead of minimizing