Selenium installation (pip install selenium) in Selenium Python - Build an Automation Script

Verify Selenium installation via pip

Preconditions (2)

Step 1: Open a command prompt or terminal

Step 2: Run the command 'pip install selenium'

Step 3: Wait for the installation to complete

Step 4: Open Python interpreter by typing 'python' or 'python3'

Step 5: Type 'import selenium' and press Enter

✅ Expected Result: The 'pip install selenium' command completes without errors, and 'import selenium' in Python interpreter does not raise any error.

Automation Requirements - unittest

Assertions Needed:

Verify selenium module can be imported without ImportError

Best Practices:

Use try-except block to catch ImportError

Provide clear assertion messages

Keep test simple and focused on import verification

Automated Solution

Selenium Python

import unittest

class TestSeleniumInstallation(unittest.TestCase):
    def test_selenium_import(self):
        try:
            import selenium
        except ImportError:
            self.fail("selenium module is not installed or cannot be imported")

if __name__ == '__main__':
    unittest.main()

This test uses Python's built-in unittest framework to check if the selenium module is installed correctly.

The test_selenium_import method tries to import selenium. If it fails, the test fails with a clear message.

This approach directly verifies the installation by confirming the module can be imported without errors.

Common Mistakes - 3 Pitfalls

Not catching ImportError and letting the test crash

{'mistake': "Running 'pip install selenium' inside the test code", 'why_bad': 'Installation should be done before running tests; tests should only verify installation, not perform it.', 'correct_approach': 'Run installation manually or in setup scripts, then test import only.'}

Not verifying import and assuming installation succeeded if pip command ran

Bonus Challenge

Now add tests to verify that selenium version is at least 4.0.0

Show Hint