How to Send ExpectedConditions to a Function in Selenium

Описание: Learn how to create a generic function in Selenium that accepts `ExpectedConditions` and locators without running into compiler errors.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/67229983/ asked by the user 'user1860934' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/1860934/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/67235395/ provided by the user 'JeffC' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2386774/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to Send ExpectedConditions to a Function in Selenium

When working with Selenium in Java, developers often face the task of waiting for certain conditions before interacting with web elements. However, crafting a versatile function that handles ExpectedConditions effectively can lead to some common pitfalls. Let's explore a specific scenario: how to send ExpectedConditions to a function and resolve related compiler errors.

The Problem Statement

Suppose you are trying to create a generic function that accepts ExpectedConditions and a locator type. You might initially write something like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

However, upon compiling, you encounter an error that says, "Method call expected." This can be confusing especially when you think you’re following the right syntax and structure. The key issue here is that not all ExpectedConditions are created equal; many return different types, leading to incompatible expectations in your code.

Understanding ExpectedConditions

What Are ExpectedConditions?

ExpectedConditions are predefined criteria that Selenium uses to wait for specific conditions to be met on web elements. Examples include:

Element to be clickable

Visibility of an element

Presence of an element in the DOM

Because different conditions return various data types (some return WebElement, while others return Boolean), your original function design can lead to ambiguity and errors in your code.

The Solution: Modifying Your Generic Function

Creating a Generic Function

To seamlessly incorporate ExpectedConditions, you can modify the approach as follows:

Change the function to accept a functional interface instead of a straightforward ExpectedConditions.

Use Function<WebDriver, WebElement> as the parameter type for your expected condition.

Here’s how you can implement it:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

How to Call the Function

Once you have the generic function set up, you can call it as shown here:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Why No Locator Parameter?

The benefit of this refactoring is that you no longer need to pass the locator as a separate parameter. It's embedded within the expected condition being called, making your function cleaner and less error-prone. This may also simplify your code, making it much easier to maintain in the long run.

Conclusion

Creating a well-defined generic function to handle ExpectedConditions in Selenium allows for greater flexibility and clarity. By understanding the varying return types of ExpectedConditions, you can significantly improve your code's robustness and reduce the likelihood of encountering compiler errors. In just a few steps, you can implement this solution and streamline your Selenium testing efforts.

Now you can efficiently handle any wait scenarios using this reusable function, ensuring your web automation scripts are both effective and reliable!