Important concepts and the first step for test automation

In the landscape of the current fast -paced software development, Automatic testing It is very important to ensure the quality and reliability of modern web applications.

Selenium Webdriver with C# Continue to be one of the most powerful combinations for browser-based test automation, thanks to its cross-browser support, a strong developer community, and smooth integration with the Modern CI/CD workflow.

This blog is part 1 of the series two parts designed to help company team, startup, and software product company Implement an effective automation strategy using Selenium and C#. In this first installment, we will run through the core concept, setting instructions, and basic testing scripts you need to start.

What is Selenium Webdriver?

Selenium webdriver is an open-source framework that allows developers and examiners to automate the web browser through programming interfaces.

Unlike other automation tools, Webdriver communicates directly with a browser using a driver (such as Chromedriver or Geckodriver), giving it original control and better performance.

Main Benefits:

• ✅ Cross-browser Support: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari

• ✅ Multi-Language Support: Java, C#, Python, Javascript

• ✅ Free and open-source: no license fee

• ✅ Platform-Independent: Working in Windows, MacOS, Linux

• ✅ Integration-Siap: Working with Nunit, Mstest, and CI tools

Preparing Selenium Webdriver with C#

To start using selenium in your C# project, follow these basic steps:

Prerequisite:

• Visual Studio, vs Code, or Jetbrains Rider

• Chrome or Firefox installed

Initialization of your project:

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Dotnet New Console -n SeleniumDemo
SeleniumDemo CD
dotnet add selenium.webdriver package
dotnet add selenium.webdriver.chromedriver package
Dotnet add selenium.support package

Your first automatic test with selenium

Below is a simple example that is automating the search on Google:

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using openqa.celenium;
using openqa.selenium.chrome;
using the system;

class program
{
static void main ()
{
using (iwebdriver driver = new chromedriver ())
{
driver.navigate (). Gotourl (“https://www.google.com”);
Iwebelement searchbox = driver.findelement (by.name (“q”));
Searchbox.sendkeys (“selenium webdriver C#”);
Searchbox.sendkeys (keys.return);
Console.writeline (“Title Page:” + driver.title);
}
}
}

The concept of the core selenium is explained

1. WebDriver interface

Webdriver is the main interface used to control the browser.

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Iwebdriver driver = new chromedriver (); // Chrome
Iwebdriver driver = new firefoxdriver (); // Firefox

You can also configure options such as headless fashion:

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var options = new chromeoptions ();
options.addargument (” – headless”);

2. Finding Web Elements

Selenium provides several methods for selecting elements:

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driver.findelement (by.id (“email”));
driver.findelement (by.name (“user name”));
driver.findelement (by.csssellector (“. BTN-Primary”));
driver.findelement (by.xpath (“// button[text()=’Submit’]”));

3. Work with forms and input

You can interact with shape easily:

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element.sendkeys (“input test”);
element.click ();
element.cear ();

Write a unit test with nunit

Selenium is integrated smoothly with NunitPopular testing frame for .net.

Install Nunit:

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Dotnet Add Nunit Package
Dotnet Add Package Nunit3TestaDter

Case Case Case:

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[Test]
Public Void Googlesearchtest ()
{
driver.navigate (). Gotourl (“https://www.google.com”);
Iwebelement searchbox = driver.findelement (by.name (“q”));
Searchbox.sendkeys (“selenium webdriver”);
Searchbox.sendkeys (keys.return);
Assert.istue (driver.title. Contains (“selenium webdriver”));
}

Basic form interaction

From the login form to the check box and dropdown, this is how to handle the form elements:

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driver.findelement (by.id (“username”)). Sendkeys (“User”);
driver.findelement (by.id (“Password”)). Sendkeys (“Password”);
driver.findelement (by.id (“submit”)). Click ();

You can verify successful logins or shipping forms using the statement:

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Assert.istue (driver.findelement (by.classname (“Success”));

Work with dropdown

Use Selectlement Class from Selenium Support Library:

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var select = new selectlement (driver.findelement (by.id (“country”)));
choose. SelectbyText (“United States”);

Debugging tips and problem solving

General problems such as Element is not found or Reference to stale elements can be completed by:

• Add waits (implicit/explicit)

• Validating the visibility of the element

• Re -location of the element after navigation

Use this debugging tool:

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Console.writeline (driver.pagesource);
Console.writeline (driver.url);
((Itakesscreenshot) Driver). TegetSCreenshot (). Saveasfile (“screenshot.png”, screenshomagefat.png);

What’s next in part 2?

In the next section of this series, we will explore:

• Wait for explicit and strategies to wait smoothly

• Page Object Model (POM)

• Handling pop-ups, frames, and warnings

• Data -based testing with excel or json

• Integration with CI/CD pipelines

Conclusion

Whether you are building automation from the beginning or scattering the existing test suite, Selenium Webdriver with C# offers a strong solution and can be discovered.

By mastering the core concepts discussed here – Pengokor, Element Interaction, Handling of Forms, and Test Structure – You set a foundation for a more advanced testing strategy.

Look forward to part 2, where we will level up with the best practice Class Class Test Automation.

Additional resources