Custom expected conditions in Selenium Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a custom expected condition in Selenium?

A custom expected condition is a user-defined function or class that waits for a specific condition to be true before proceeding, extending Selenium's built-in wait capabilities.

beginner

Why use custom expected conditions instead of built-in ones?

Custom expected conditions allow you to wait for unique or complex scenarios that built-in conditions do not cover, making tests more reliable and tailored to your app.

intermediate

How do you create a custom expected condition using a class in Selenium Python?

Create a class with a __call__ method that takes a driver and returns a truthy value when the condition is met or False otherwise. This class can then be used with WebDriverWait.

beginner

What should a custom expected condition return when the condition is not met?

It should return False or None to indicate the wait should continue until the timeout or the condition becomes true.

intermediate

Give an example of a simple custom expected condition function in Selenium Python.

Example: def element_has_text(locator, text): def _predicate(driver): element = driver.find_element(*locator) return element.text == text return _predicate

What does a custom expected condition in Selenium Python typically return when the condition is met?

A False

B A truthy value or the element

C An exception

D None

When the condition is met, the custom expected condition returns a truthy value, often the element found, so WebDriverWait knows to stop waiting.

Which method must a class implement to be used as a custom expected condition in Selenium Python?

A find_element

B __init__

C wait

D __call__

The __call__ method allows the class instance to be called like a function, which WebDriverWait uses to check the condition.

Why might you write a custom expected condition instead of using built-in ones?

A To handle unique waiting scenarios not covered by built-in conditions

B Because built-in conditions are deprecated

C To avoid using WebDriverWait

D To speed up test execution

Custom expected conditions let you wait for specific, complex conditions unique to your application.

What should a custom expected condition return if the condition is not yet met?

A An exception

B True

C False or None

D The driver object

Returning False or None tells WebDriverWait to keep waiting until the timeout or the condition becomes true.

Which Selenium class is commonly used with custom expected conditions to wait for conditions?

A WebDriverWait

B ActionChains

C Select

D ChromeOptions

WebDriverWait repeatedly calls the expected condition until it returns a truthy value or times out.

Explain how to create and use a custom expected condition in Selenium Python.

Think about how Selenium waits for elements or states.

Describe why custom expected conditions improve test reliability.

Consider real-life waiting situations that built-in waits can't handle.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of creating a custom expected condition in Selenium Python?

easy

A. To change the browser window size automatically

B. To speed up the browser loading time

C. To wait for a specific condition that is not covered by built-in expected conditions

D. To generate test reports automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand built-in expected conditions

   Built-in expected conditions cover common waits like element visibility or clickability.

2. Step 2: Identify the need for custom conditions

   When a specific wait is not available, custom expected conditions let you define exactly what to wait for.

3. Final Answer:

   To wait for a specific condition that is not covered by built-in expected conditions -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Custom expected conditions = wait for custom needs [OK]

Hint: Custom conditions handle waits built-ins can't cover [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking custom conditions speed up browser loading
• Confusing custom conditions with browser resizing
• Assuming custom conditions generate reports

2. Which of the following is the correct way to define a custom expected condition class in Selenium Python?

easy

A. class MyCondition:
def __call__(self, driver):
return driver.title == 'Home'

B. def MyCondition(driver):
return driver.title == 'Home'

C. class MyCondition:
def call(self, driver):
return driver.title == 'Home'

D. class MyCondition:
def __init__(self, driver):
return driver.title == 'Home'

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the special method for callable classes

   The method __call__ makes an instance callable like a function.

2. Step 2: Check method signature and return

   The __call__ method takes driver and returns a boolean or element to wait for.

3. Final Answer:

   class MyCondition:\n def __call__(self, driver):\n return driver.title == 'Home' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Custom condition class needs __call__ method [OK]

Hint: Use __call__ method to make class callable [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using call instead of __call__ method
• Defining __init__ to return a value
• Defining a function instead of a class

3. Given this custom expected condition class, what will WebDriverWait(driver, 10).until(MyCondition()) return if the page title is 'Dashboard'?

class MyCondition:
    def __call__(self, driver):
        if driver.title == 'Dashboard':
            return True
        else:
            return False

medium

A. It will raise a TimeoutException immediately

B. It will return the driver object

C. It will return False immediately without waiting

D. It will wait until the title is 'Dashboard' and then return True

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand WebDriverWait with custom condition

   WebDriverWait calls the condition repeatedly until it returns a truthy value or timeout.

2. Step 2: Analyze the condition's return value

   If the title is 'Dashboard', __call__ returns True, so wait ends and returns True.

3. Final Answer:

   It will wait until the title is 'Dashboard' and then return True -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Condition returns True -> wait ends successfully [OK]

Hint: Wait ends when condition returns True [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it raises TimeoutException immediately
• Assuming it returns False immediately
• Confusing return value with driver object

4. Identify the error in this custom expected condition class:

class ElementHasText:
    def __call__(self, driver):
        element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'msg')
        if element.text:
            return element.text
        else:
            return False

medium

A. Missing import for By from selenium.webdriver.common.by

B. The __call__ method should return True or False only, not text

C. The class should inherit from WebDriverWait

D. The find_element method should be find_elements

Solution

1. Step 1: Check usage of By.ID in the code

   The code uses By.ID but does not import By, causing a NameError.

2. Step 2: Verify other parts of the code

   Returning element.text is valid for expected conditions; inheritance from WebDriverWait is not required.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing import for By from selenium.webdriver.common.by -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Using By requires importing it first [OK]

Hint: Always import By before using it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming __call__ must return only True/False
• Thinking class must inherit WebDriverWait
• Confusing find_element with find_elements

5. You want to create a custom expected condition that waits until an element with ID 'status' has text containing the word 'Complete'. Which of these implementations is correct and efficient?

hard

A. class StatusComplete:
def __call__(self, driver):
element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'status')
return element.text.startswith('Complete')

B. class StatusComplete:
def __call__(self, driver):
element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'status')
return 'Complete' in element.text

C. class StatusComplete:
def __call__(self, driver):
element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'status')
if element.text == 'Complete':
return True
else:
return False

D. class StatusComplete:
def __call__(self, driver):
element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'status')
return element.text != ''

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the requirement

   We want to wait until the text contains the word 'Complete' anywhere inside.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option's condition

   class StatusComplete: def __call__(self, driver): element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'status') return 'Complete' in element.text checks if 'Complete' is in element.text, which matches the requirement exactly and returns a boolean.

3. Step 3: Compare other options

   class StatusComplete: def __call__(self, driver): element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'status') if element.text == 'Complete': return True else: return False checks exact equality, which is too strict. class StatusComplete: def __call__(self, driver): element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'status') return element.text.startswith('Complete') checks startswith, which is partial. class StatusComplete: def __call__(self, driver): element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'status') return element.text != '' only checks non-empty text, which is too broad.

4. Final Answer:

   class StatusComplete:\n def __call__(self, driver):\n element = driver.find_element(By.ID, 'status')\n return 'Complete' in element.text -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Use 'in' to check substring presence [OK]

Hint: Use 'in' operator to check substring in text [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Checking exact equality instead of substring
• Using startswith instead of contains
• Checking only for non-empty text