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Tag: Playwright guide

  • How to Pack Your Web Testing Suitcase with Cypress & Playwright

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    I’m preparing for an epic journey, one that requires the utmost precision in packing my suitcase. This isn’t just any trip; it’s an adventure into the world of web testing. My destination? The lands of Cypress and Playwright.

    First, I lay out my suitcase, which is like initializing my project—clean and ready to be filled with essentials. I decide to bring Cypress along for this journey. I pull out the suitcase of my project folder and, with a quick incantation at the command line, I summon Cypress into existence: npm install cypress. As if by magic, my suitcase is now equipped with a robust framework that will help me navigate the tricky terrains of web testing.

    Next, I need to pack my essentials. I add a touch of configuration, much like placing my favorite book or travel guide into the suitcase. I create a cypress.json file, setting up the rules and preferences for my journey, ensuring everything is in its rightful place.

    But wait, there’s another traveler who could join me—Playwright. Curious about what new experiences it might offer, I decide to make space in my suitcase for it as well. I open my terminal again and invite Playwright into the fold with npm install playwright. Now, my suitcase is even more versatile, ready for any testing adventure I might face.

    With both Cypress and Playwright nestled snugly in my suitcase, I add a few finishing touches—scripts in my package.json file to launch these testing companions whenever the need arises. It’s like packing a handy travel pillow or a map, ensuring I’m ready for any situation.


    First, let’s open up our suitcase and take a look at Cypress. I start by creating a new test file within the cypress/integration directory. It’s like opening my travel journal and jotting down my first impressions. Here’s a simple test to make sure everything is in order:

    describe('My First Test', () => {
      it('Visits the Cypress documentation page', () => {
        cy.visit('https://docs.cypress.io');
        cy.contains('Introduction').should('be.visible');
      });
    });

    This is my first entry, a straightforward test that visits the Cypress documentation page and checks for the visibility of the “Introduction” text. It’s as simple as snapping a photo of a landmark to remember I was there.

    Now, let’s make room for Playwright in our narrative. I create a new file in my project, say test.spec.js. Here’s how my exploration unfolds with Playwright:

    const { chromium } = require('playwright');
    
    (async () => {
      const browser = await chromium.launch();
      const page = await browser.newPage();
      await page.goto('https://playwright.dev');
      await page.click('text=Get Started');
      await browser.close();
    })();

    In this scene, I’m launching a browser, navigating to the Playwright documentation, and clicking the “Get Started” link. It feels like taking a leisurely stroll down a well-marked path, exploring the surroundings with curiosity.

    With both Cypress and Playwright, I find myself equipped for any testing scenario. Cypress offers an intuitive and powerful way to write tests with its declarative syntax, while Playwright provides flexibility and control over browser automation, capable of handling complex user interactions.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Cypress and Playwright are powerful tools for automating web testing, each with its unique strengths.
    • Cypress is great for writing straightforward tests with its easy-to-read syntax and built-in features like time travel debugging.
    • Playwright offers rich browser automation capabilities, supporting multiple browsers and providing fine-grained control over web interactions.
    • Integrating these tools into a JavaScript project enhances test coverage and reliability, ensuring a smoother development process.