Markers for categorization in Selenium Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a marker in pytest and why is it useful?

A marker is a label you add to tests to group or categorize them. It helps run specific sets of tests easily, like all slow tests or all login tests.

beginner

How do you apply a marker to a test function in pytest?

Use the @pytest.mark.<marker_name> decorator above the test function. For example, @pytest.mark.slow marks the test as slow.

beginner

How can you run only tests with a specific marker using pytest?

Use the command: pytest -m <marker_name>. For example, pytest -m slow runs only tests marked as slow.

intermediate

Why should you register custom markers in pytest's configuration file?

Registering markers in pytest.ini helps avoid warnings and documents the purpose of each marker for better team understanding.

intermediate

Give an example of using markers to separate UI tests from API tests.

Mark UI tests with @pytest.mark.ui and API tests with @pytest.mark.api. Then run them separately using pytest -m ui or pytest -m api.

What does the pytest marker @pytest.mark.smoke indicate?

A The test is part of the smoke test suite

B The test is expected to fail

C The test is slow

D The test is skipped

Markers like 'smoke' label tests as part of a smoke test group to run quick checks.

How do you run tests NOT marked with 'slow' in pytest?

A pytest -m 'not slow'

B pytest --skip slow

C pytest -m slow

D pytest --exclude slow

Use pytest -m 'not slow' to exclude tests marked as slow.

Where do you register custom markers to avoid warnings?

A In the Selenium WebDriver config

B In the test file

C In the Python interpreter

D In pytest.ini or tox.ini

Markers should be registered in pytest.ini or tox.ini to document and avoid warnings.

Which decorator syntax correctly marks a test as 'api'?

A @pytest.api

B @api.mark

C @pytest.mark.api

D @mark.api

The correct syntax is @pytest.mark.api.

What is a benefit of using markers in test automation?

A They speed up test execution by skipping all tests

B They help organize and selectively run tests

C They automatically fix test failures

D They replace the need for assertions

Markers help organize tests and run specific groups as needed.

Explain how markers help in organizing and running tests in pytest.

Think about labeling tests to run only certain groups.

Describe the steps to create and use a custom marker in pytest.

Consider both code and configuration.

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