Maximize and minimize window in Selenium Python - Test Execution Trace

Test Overview

This test opens a browser, maximizes the window, verifies the window is maximized, then minimizes the window and verifies it is minimized.

Test Code - Selenium

Selenium Python

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.service import Service
import time

# Setup WebDriver
service = Service()
driver = webdriver.Chrome(service=service)

try:
    # Open a website
    driver.get('https://example.com')

    # Maximize the window
    driver.maximize_window()
    time.sleep(1)  # wait for window to maximize

    # Verify window is maximized by checking window size is greater than a threshold
    size_max = driver.get_window_size()
    assert size_max['width'] > 800 and size_max['height'] > 600, 'Window not maximized properly'

    # Minimize the window
    driver.minimize_window()
    time.sleep(1)  # wait for window to minimize

    # Verify window is minimized by checking window is not visible or size is small
    # Selenium does not provide direct visibility, so we check size is small or zero
    size_min = driver.get_window_size()
    assert size_min['width'] < 300 and size_min['height'] < 300, 'Window not minimized properly'

finally:
    driver.quit()

Execution Trace - 5 Steps

Step	Action	System State	Assertion	Result
1	Test starts and WebDriver Chrome instance is created	Browser window is opened but not navigated	—	PASS
2	Browser navigates to https://example.com	Browser displays example.com homepage	—	PASS
3	Browser window is maximized using driver.maximize_window()	Browser window is maximized to full screen	Check window width > 800 and height > 600	PASS
4	Browser window is minimized using driver.minimize_window()	Browser window is minimized (small or hidden)	Check window width < 300 and height < 300	PASS
5	Browser is closed with driver.quit()	Browser window closed, WebDriver session ended	—	PASS

Failure Scenario

Failing Condition: Window size after maximize or minimize does not meet expected thresholds

Execution Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What Selenium method is used to make the browser window full screen?

A driver.minimize_window()

B driver.maximize_window()

C driver.fullscreen_window()

D driver.set_window_size()

Key Result

Always verify window state changes by checking window size or visibility after maximize or minimize actions to ensure your test accurately confirms UI behavior.

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