Nightwatch allows automation testing of your native mobile apps via Appium. It combines the features of Appium with the salient developer experience of Nightwatch. By running Appium tests with Nightwatch, you can get end-to-end functional testing of native mobile apps on iOS and Android devices.
In the past few years, automated testing has become an inseparable part of mobile app development. Running Appium tests has become the go-to method for QA teams to ensure the quality and reliability of their applications. Running Appium tests using Nightwatch and making your native mobile applications responsive and user-friendly.
Nightwatch and Appium – The Top Things to Know
Appium is an open-source, cross-platform mobile automation testing platform. It allows you to write tests for native and hybrid mobile web applications on iOS and Android platforms. One of the key reasons for Appium is that it supports numerous programming languages. Moreover, it supports WebDriver-compatible APIs.
On the other hand, Nightwatch is a widely used Node.js – based testing framework. The main reason behind its popularity in automation testing is its simple syntax and automatic WebDriver management. Being a versatile testing framework, it supports testing environments for mobile and desktop apps.
The Benefits of Running Appium Tests with Nightwatch
QA teams prefer running Appium tests with Nightwatch as it brings a plethora of benefits to the table. It enhances the effectiveness of your automated testing process. Listed are the primary advantages of running Appium tests with Nightwatch.
- Easy to Use
QA teams of various skillset can run Appium tests with Nightwatch. Nightwatch offers a user-friendly and intuitive syntax that simplifies the creation of test scripts. The syntax is easy to understand, which makes the framework popular among developers of various skill level.
- WebDriver Management
Another benefit of running Appium tests with Nightwatch is WebDriver Management. Nightwatch seamlessly manages WebDriver and eliminates the need for complex installation and management of APIs. It helps your developers save time and makes sure that they can run continuous testing across devices and browsers.
- Equipped with Cross-Platform Compatibility
Appium supports cross-platform testing. In other words, your QA team can run tests for iOS and Android applications. When combined with Nightwatch, your QA team has to write the test only once. Appium and Nightwatch allow you to execute the test on multiple platforms. Therefore, with Appium, your QA team doesn’t have to work hard to ensure compatibility with the apps.
- Page Object Model (POM)
Nightwatch actively supports POM. In other words, you can organize your test code into different modules denoting several sections of your application. It enriches the organization of codes to run tests and decreases duplication of codes. POM also plays a crucial role in updating the applications when changes in the test environment happen.
- Parallel Execution of Tests
You can run Appium tests using Nightwatch for the parallel execution of tests. It can distribute tests across multiple instances, devices, and browsers simultaneously. It significantly decreases the time needed for test runs and optimizes the overall testing efficiency.
How to Write Appium Tests Using Nightwatch?
Here are the steps to follow to write Appium tests using Nightwatch.
- You must create a project directory and navigate it with the command line.
- In this step, initiate Nightwatch by running “nightwatch –init”.
- Edit the configuration based on the desired functionalities of your mobile apps.
- Develop new test scripts in the test folder with the .js extension.
How to Run the Appium Tests?
To run Appium tests, follow these steps.
- By opening a terminal window, start the Appium server with the command Appium.
- Execute tests on Nightwatch by using the command “nightwatch.” It will automatically execute the test scripts.
- With Nightwatch, you will get detailed reports about the execution of tests. Moreover, you can get the results of each test and assertion. These reports can help you identify and solve issues in your application.
The Working Mechanism of Running Appium Tests Using Nightwatch
The Appium tests work seamlessly with Nightwatch using its integrated WebDriver Management capabilities. Note that Nightwatch acts as a bridge between your test scripts and the Appium server.
You define the desired features and configuration settings for the Appium server in the configuration file named nightwatch.config.js. The settings typically comprise the device name, app path, and platform version.
You should also create the test script by leveraging the simple syntax of Nightwatch. Each test script denotes a test scenario that you want to execute on the target mobile application.
The Nightwatch test scripts perform various actions on your mobile app. For instance, it can click certain buttons, enter text, and other actions that the users can execute. These actions are typically defined with Nightwatch API.
It is crucial to note that Nightwatch communicates with the Appium server with the WebDriver commands. These commands instruct the Appium server to perform specific actions on the mobile app.
Automated testing is necessary for delivering high-quality applications. Appium and Nightwatch are integral to the success of any automated testing environment. These tools empower your QA teams and developers to create test suites and fine-tune the testing workflows.
