Automation Testing using Appium In Flutter
In this article, we will explore Automation Testing using Appium In Flutter. We perceive how to execute a demo program. We will show you how to automation testing using appium will work in your Flutter applications.
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Table of Contents :
Why Automation Testing in Flutter?
Introduction:
In the fast-evolving landscape of mobile app development, ensuring the robustness and reliability of your Flutter applications is paramount. Automation testing emerges as a crucial ally in this pursuit, providing developers with the means to streamline the testing process and enhance the overall quality of their applications.
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on “Automation Testing Using Appium in Flutter,” where we delve into the powerful synergy between Flutter and Appium to elevate your testing strategy.
Why Automation Testing in Flutter?:
As Flutter continues to gain popularity for its cross-platform capabilities and expressive UI, the demand for efficient testing methodologies has never been higher. Automation testing proves to be a game-changer, allowing developers to catch bugs early, reduce manual testing efforts, and ensure a seamless user experience across diverse devices.
Enter Appium: A Cross-Platform Testing Solution:
Appium is a versatile and open-source automation tool that seamlessly integrates with Flutter applications. Whether you’re targeting Android or iOS, Appium provides a unified framework for testing, simplifying the complexities associated with multi-platform development.
What to Expect in This Guide:
In the upcoming sections, we will explore the fundamentals of automation testing in the Flutter framework, understand the key benefits of leveraging Appium, and walk through practical examples to get you started. Whether you’re a seasoned Flutter developer or just starting your journey, this guide aims to demystify the process of automation testing in Flutter using the powerful capabilities of Appium.
Let’s embark on this journey to enhance the reliability and efficiency of your Flutter applications through automation testing. Ready to dive in?
Installing Appium for Flutter:
Installing Appium for Flutter involves setting up Appium and its dependencies to enable automated testing of Flutter applications. Here are the general steps for installing Appium in the context of Flutter:
1. Install Node.js:
- Appium is built on Node.js, so you need to have Node.js installed on your machine.
2. Install Appium Server:
- You can install Appium globally using npm (Node Package Manager) by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt:
npm install -g appium
3. Install Appium Dependencies:
- Depending on your testing requirements, you might need additional dependencies. For example, if you plan to automate on Android, you’ll need the Android SDK installed and configured.
- For iOS testing, you’ll need Xcode installed on a Mac machine.
4. Install Flutter Driver:
- Flutter Driver is a package that allows communication between the Flutter app and the Appium server for testing. You can add Flutter Driver to your Flutter project by adding it to your
pubspec.yaml
file and runningflutter pub get
. For example:
dev_dependencies:
flutter_driver:
sdk: flutter
5. Start Appium Server:
- After installation, start the Appium server by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt:
appium
6. Configure and Run Your Flutter App:
- Ensure your Flutter app is set up for testing. You should add some additional configurations to your app code to make it testable with Flutter Driver.
7. Run Appium Tests:
- Write your automated tests using Flutter Driver and execute them. You can run your tests from the command line or use a testing framework like
flutter test
.
Let’s dive into the code part. For running the test cases we’re going to use the Visual Studio Code as our code editor.
To set up Appium for Flutter automation testing using Visual Studio Code (VS Code), you need to follow these steps:
1. Install Required Software:
- Visual Studio Code: Download and install VS Code from the official website.
- Node.js and npm: Install Node.js from the official website, which includes npm (Node Package Manager).
2. Install Appium:
- Install Appium globally using npm by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt:
npm install -g appium
3. Install Appium Flutter Driver:
- Appium Flutter Driver is a test automation tool for Flutter applications. Install it by running the following command in your terminal:
npm install -g appium-flutter-driver
4. Install Flutter SDK:
- Install the Flutter SDK by following the instructions provided on the Flutter website.
5. Configure Flutter Environment Variables:
- Add Flutter’s bin directory to your system’s PATH variable. This allows you to run Flutter commands from any terminal window.
- You can do this by adding the following line to your system’s
.bash_profile
,.bashrc
,.zshrc
, or similar file:
export PATH="$PATH:/path/to/flutter/bin"
- Replace
/path/to/flutter/bin
with the actual path where you installed the Flutter SDK.
6. Install Flutter Plugin for VS Code:
- Launch VS Code.
- Go to the Extensions view by clicking on the square icon in the sidebar or pressing
Ctrl+Shift+X
. - Search for “Flutter” in the extensions search bar.
- Install the Flutter extension provided by the Flutter team.
7. Create a Flutter Project:
- Create a new Flutter project or open an existing one in VS Code.
- Ensure your Flutter project is properly set up and can run on a device, emulator/simulator.
8. Configure Appium Server:
- Start the Appium server by running the following command in your terminal:
appium
- Make sure Appium is running and listening for connections on the default host and port (
http://localhost:4723
).
9. Write Flutter Automation Tests:
- Write your Flutter automation tests using the Appium Flutter Driver API.
- You can use any testing framework such as Flutter’s built-in
flutter_test
framework, or third-party libraries likeflutter_gherkin
for behavior-driven development (BDD). - Install all the essential libraries for writing test cases, such as assert, flutter-finder, flutter-driver etc.
I created a separate folder for writing my test cases(flutter-classes).
Here, paste the build folder you’ll get after running the app in debug mode.
Now run the test case by using the command
npx wdio run wdio.android.conf.js
You can edit the path of your build folder from the file “wdio.android.conf.js”.
Find the complete code in the below GitHub link.
Conclusion:-
With the insights gained from this blog, you now possess the expertise and resources to implement Appium for automation testing in Flutter apps, opening doors to diverse testing opportunities. Embrace this journey of discovery and advancement in your projects!
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GitHub Link:-
GitHub – flutter-devs/appium_flutter
Contribute to flutter-devs/appium_flutter development by creating an account on GitHub.github.com
Reference Url:-
How to Test Flutter Apps Using Appium Automation | BrowserStack
Step-by-step tutorial on how to automate Flutter app testing with Appium using examples. Learn how to run UI tests…www.browserstack.com
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