How Much Java Do I Need To Learn For Mastering Selenium - LinkedIn

2/19/2021 How Much Java Do I Need To Learn For Mastering Selenium?
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How Much Java Do I Need To Learn For

Mastering Selenium?
Published on August 6, 2015
Alex Siminiuc 22 articles Follow

SDET at Blacksmith Technologies
I saw this question a few days ago on a testing forum.
My initial response to it was "as much Java as you can learn".
What I meant is that since the programming language is the most important skill for test
automation, everyone should learn it as much as possible.
While I still like my response, it is not helpful for other testers.
First, I want to say something about the question.
It was asked by a manual tester that wants to learn test automation.
It implies that mastering Selenium happens after learning some Java programming.
A similar question could be:
I don't know how to swim but how much swimming do I need to learn to compete for
Olympics?
To go from no swimming skills to just decent

swimming is very difficult.
Going from decent swimming to mastery of

swimming is just not realistic for most of
people.
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I picked
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swimming as a skill example as the process of learning test automation is similar
to learning any other skill.
Mastering a skill usually means that you are at the highest level possible for it.
This does not happen obviously through just learning as a lot of practice and self-
improvement are needed.
And time, perseverance and patience.
Going from a manual tester to a test automation engineer that masters Selenium is a very
difficult goal.
Test automation engineers that master Selenium are usually software developers in test.
Meaning professional developers.
Still, how much Java do you need to master Selenium?
Between manual tester with no programming skills and test automation engineer that
masters Selenium, there are a few different levels.
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LEVEL 1 - Learn to write automation scripts with Selenium
Java basic knowledge is sufficient for this.
You will need to learn about
variables
fundamental data types (String, Integer, Boolean) and their operators
conditional operators
string methods
conditional statements (if/else, switch)
looping statements (for, while)
arrays
packages
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exceptions
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lists
read and write files
use Java API
After learning the basic concepts, you should be able to create simple test automation scripts
with Selenium.
These scripts will include WebDriver API which is ok while learning Selenium.
But as soon as you start having more and more scripts, the scripts maintenance will become
an issue.
LEVEL 2 - Make your test automation code re-usable
Having a large number of test automation scripts that include WebDriver API poses an issue
from the maintenance point of view.
Since each script is independent and some scripts may just repeat the same lines of code,
changing the test scripts for improvements or because of bugs is difficult to do.
The more complex test scripts are, the harder to maintain.
And we should remember that the biggest failure point in test automation efforts is test
scripts complexity.
So we need to reduce the test scripts complexity and make scripts maintenance easier.
For these purposes, you need to start learning the Java object oriented programming
concepts.
This includes learning about

Messaging
creating classes and objects

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class fields
methods and constructors
method overloading
set/get methods
class/field/method modifiers
The object oriented programming concepts will help implementing the page object model
for your test automation scripts.
This means that you will create classes that correspond to site's pages (or components of site
pages) and move the WebDriver API code from the test scripts to the page object model
classes.
By doing this, you keep your test scripts free of any direct interaction with the site.
The interaction with the site is being done in the page object classes.
LEVEL 3 - Start implementing test automation frameworks
After having page object classes, you will want to start creating your test automation
framework.
The framework should be useful not only for one site but any number of sites.
And possibly for mobile applications as well.
You need to learn the Java advanced concepts like

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class inheritance
base classes
method overriding
polymorphism
interfaces
static classes
inner classes
abstract classes
LEVEL 4 - Improve your test automation framework with code

refactoring techniques and design patterns
Code refactoring will help making your test automation framework simpler and more
efficient.
Design patterns will provide proven ways of solving common development problems.
Are there more levels?
Yes. Learning a skill never ends.
There is a long way from manual testing to mastering test automation with Selenium.
But taking it a step at a time will eventually get you there.
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With perseverance and lots of patience.

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Alex | Test Automation | For Manual Testers
Have a test automation question or problem? Schedule a free call with me at

https://www.sohelpful.me/alexsiminiuc
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Alex Siminiuc 22 articles Follow
Published • 5y
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Simon Rigler • 3rd+ 5y

Program Manager at IQVIA
This is a REALLY great post. My team and I are just starting this journey, I really like how you've laid this post
out and broken the challenge down into bite-size goals, and especially calling out the use of the word
'master'. I certainly get irritated by discussions where learning Selenium (or any programming language,
software, tools etc) is seen as a one-off, almost binary activity.
Like Reply · 1 Reply
Alex Siminiuc • 2nd 5y

Thanks, Simon.
I am glad that you like the article and find it useful.
Like Reply
Ravinder Rayat • 3rd+ 5y

Senior Technical Support Specialist at Bayshore HealthCare
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Well said..
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Alex Siminiuc • 2nd 5y

Thanks, Ravinder.
Like Reply
Alex Siminiuc
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evelopers are common, Want better speed for Selenium Part-time test automation is bullshit Your testing job, manual or
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2/19/2021 How Much Java Do I Need To Learn For Mastering Selenium?

How Much Java Do I Need To Learn For

Alex Siminiuc 22 articles Follow

I saw this question a few days ago on a testing forum.

My initial response to it was "as much Java as you can learn".

While I still like my response, it is not helpful for other testers.

First, I want to say something about the question.

It was asked by a manual tester that wants to learn test automation.

A similar question could be:

To go from no swimming skills to just decent

Going from decent swimming to mastery of

And time, perseverance and patience.

Meaning professional developers.

Still, how much Java do you need to master Selenium?

LEVEL 1 - Learn to write automation scripts with Selenium

Java basic knowledge is sufficient for this.

You will need to learn about

fundamental data types (String, Integer, Boolean) and their operators

conditional statements (if/else, switch)

looping statements (for, while)

read and write files

use Java API

LEVEL 2 - Make your test automation code re-usable

The more complex test scripts are, the harder to maintain.

This includes learning about

creating classes and objects

methods and constructors

LEVEL 3 - Start implementing test automation frameworks

And possibly for mobile applications as well.

You need to learn the Java advanced concepts like

LEVEL 4 - Improve your test automation framework with code

Are there more levels?

Yes. Learning a skill never ends.

But taking it a step at a time will eventually get you there.

With perseverance and lots of patience.

Alex | Test Automation | For Manual Testers

Have a test automation question or problem? Schedule a free call with me at

Simon Rigler • 3rd+ 5y

Like Reply · 1 Reply

Alex Siminiuc • 2nd 5y

I am glad that you like the article and find it useful.

Ravinder Rayat • 3rd+ 5y

Search Like Reply · 1 Reply

Alex Siminiuc • 2nd 5y

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