Markers for categorization in Selenium Python

Introduction

Markers help you group and label tests so you can run or skip certain tests easily.

You want to run only fast tests before a quick check.

You want to skip tests that need a database when it's not available.

You want to run tests related to login separately from others.

You want to mark tests that are still under development.

You want to organize tests by feature or priority.

Syntax

Selenium Python

@pytest.mark.marker_name
def test_function():
    pass

Use @pytest.mark.marker_name above your test function to add a marker.

You can use multiple markers by stacking them.

Examples

This test is marked as 'smoke' to run quick checks.

Selenium Python

@pytest.mark.smoke
def test_login():
    assert True

This test will be skipped during runs.

Selenium Python

@pytest.mark.skip
def test_not_ready():
    assert False

This test has two markers: 'database' and 'slow'.

Selenium Python

@pytest.mark.database
@pytest.mark.slow
def test_data_load():
    assert True

Sample Program

This script has three tests with different markers. The 'test_skip_example' will be skipped. You can run tests by marker using pytest options.

Selenium Python

import pytest

@pytest.mark.smoke
def test_addition():
    assert 1 + 1 == 2

@pytest.mark.skip
def test_skip_example():
    assert False

@pytest.mark.slow
def test_long_process():
    assert sum(range(5)) == 10

Important Notes

To run tests with a specific marker, use pytest -m marker_name.

To skip tests with a marker, use pytest -m 'not marker_name'.

Remember to register custom markers in pytest.ini to avoid warnings.

Summary

Markers label tests to organize and control which tests run.

You add markers using @pytest.mark.marker_name above test functions.

Markers help run, skip, or group tests easily.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using markers in pytest with Selenium tests?

easy

A. To write test cases faster

B. To label and organize tests for selective running

C. To automatically fix test failures

D. To generate test reports

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what markers do

   Markers are used to label tests so you can group or select them easily.

2. Step 2: Identify the main purpose

   This helps run only certain tests or skip some, improving test control.

3. Final Answer:

   To label and organize tests for selective running -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Markers = Organize tests [OK]

Hint: Markers help pick which tests to run or skip [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking markers speed up writing tests
• Believing markers fix test errors automatically
• Confusing markers with report generation

2. Which is the correct way to add a marker named smoke to a test function in pytest?

easy

A. @pytest.mark.smoke\ndef test_example(): pass

B. @pytest.mark('smoke')\ndef test_example(): pass

C. @pytest.mark[smoke]\ndef test_example(): pass

D. @pytest.mark->smoke\ndef test_example(): pass

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall pytest marker syntax

   Markers use dot notation: @pytest.mark.marker_name above the test.

2. Step 2: Match syntax to options

   Only @pytest.mark.smoke\ndef test_example(): pass uses correct dot notation without extra symbols.

3. Final Answer:

   @pytest.mark.smoke\ndef test_example(): pass -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Marker syntax = dot notation [OK]

Hint: Use dot notation: @pytest.mark.marker_name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using parentheses instead of dot notation
• Using brackets or arrows incorrectly
• Missing the @ symbol before pytest.mark

3. Given this pytest code snippet, what tests will run if you execute pytest -m smoke?

@pytest.mark.smoke
def test_login(): pass

@pytest.mark.regression
def test_checkout(): pass

def test_search(): pass

medium

A. Only test_login

B. Only test_checkout

C. Both test_login and test_checkout

D. All three tests

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand pytest -m option

   The -m option runs tests with the given marker only.

2. Step 2: Identify tests with 'smoke' marker

   Only test_login has @pytest.mark.smoke.

3. Final Answer:

   Only test_login -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   pytest -m smoke runs smoke tests only [OK]

Hint: -m runs tests with matching marker only [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Running all tests ignoring markers
• Confusing marker names
• Assuming unmarked tests run with any marker

4. You wrote this test with a marker but it does not run when you use pytest -m regression. What is the error?

@pytest.mark.regresion
def test_payment(): pass

medium

A. Test function name is incorrect

B. Missing @ symbol before pytest.mark

C. Marker name is misspelled

D. pytest -m cannot run marked tests

Solution

1. Step 1: Check marker spelling

   The marker used is 'regresion' but command uses 'regression'.

2. Step 2: Understand effect of misspelling

   pytest -m regression won't find tests marked 'regresion', so test is skipped.

3. Final Answer:

   Marker name is misspelled -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Marker spelling must match exactly [OK]

Hint: Check marker spelling matches command exactly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Typos in marker names
• Forgetting @ before pytest.mark
• Assuming pytest runs all marked tests without -m

5. You want to run all tests except those marked slow. Which pytest command should you use?

hard

A. pytest -m slow

B. pytest --exclude slow

C. pytest --skip slow

D. pytest -m "not slow"

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand pytest marker expressions

   To exclude tests with a marker, use -m "not marker_name" syntax.

2. Step 2: Match command to requirement

   pytest -m "not slow" uses "not slow" to run all tests except those marked slow.

3. Final Answer:

   pytest -m "not slow" -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Use -m "not marker" to exclude tests [OK]

Hint: Use -m "not marker" to skip marked tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using -m marker to run only those tests
• Using unsupported --skip or --exclude options
• Not quoting the expression with spaces