Let’s start to learn how can we install and use Firebug and FirePath, the two most used Firefox browser plugins for test automation developers.
In our last blog post, we’d explained various types of Selenium locators with useful examples. If you are just a beginner in test automation, then you must read this post.
2-Search for the FirePath plugin and click on the “Add to Firefox” button. Downloading FirePath Add-on in FireFox. 3- After clicking the add option, the FirePath installation dialog will open as shown below.
The next step for you is to learn about the tools that can help you in finding the locators.
In today’s post, first, we are sharing the step by step instructions to install the FireBug and FirePath add-ons for Firefox.
Secondly, we’ll give away some unique tricks to help you find locators on the web pages.
- Firebug development is discontinued and it does not work anymore once multi-process Firefox is enabled and clicking the Firebug button opens the Firefox DevTools instead. You can read more about this in the related Mozilla Hacks blog post. This also affects FirePath, because it doesn't work with the Firefox DevTools.
- Firebug has been a phenomenal success. Over its 12-year lifespan, the open source tool developed a near cult following among web developers. When it came out in 2005, Firebug was the first tool to let programmers inspect, edit, and debug code right in the Firefox browser.
- You can use Firefox TruePath or Chrome TruePath. This XPath Plugin dynamically generates multiple relative XPath, just right click on the target element.
Here is the table of content which you can use to navigate throughout the post.
How to use FireBug and FirePath to find locators?
What is XPath?
XPath is a technique for uniquely identifying an element on a web page. It behaves like an address to an HTML element such as check boxes, text, images, links, and divs, etc. In Selenium, we treat XPath as one of the most trusted element locators. XPath is much more than an address as it not only points to the end point, it also contains the whole map to lead to a destination.
What is FireBug Add-on?
Firebug is the most famous add-on for the FireFox browser. It gels with FireFox so well to bring you plenty of tools for web development. It gives you control over the document object model of the web page so that you can modify, manage, and monitor the CSS, HTML, and JavaScript in real-time.
Why is the FireBug useful in Selenium automation?
Usually, there are four types of operations that you do with the FireBug add-on.
1- Display source – It gives you the ability to review the HTML of the web page after the JavaScript engine completes it processing.
2- Highlight changes – It allows to detect and highlight (in Yellow) any HTML changes as they appear on the web page. This feature would fetch your attention instantly to make sure nothing gets missed.
3- On the fly Inspection – FireBug has its “Inspect” option for quickly viewing the prospective locators as you exercise it on a web element.
4- Copy HTML – You can easily copy the HTML code of the page or part of a web page using the “innerHTML” property or the XPath expression for the element.
How to install FireBug in FireFox browser?
FireBug is an add-on which you can easily download from the FireFox plugin store.
1- Follow the menu option as Tools >> Web Developer >> Get More Tools.
2- The above action will lead you to a web page as shown in the below image. There you will find an option to download/install the FireBug add-on. You should click the “Add to Firefox” button to begin the plugin installation.
3- Upon clicking the add link, you will see the below popup. Now, click the “Install” button to complete the installation.
4- After finishing the FireBug installation, you can use “F12” shortcut key to launch the Firebug add-on. Check out the below screenshot.
Learn how to use FireBug to find element locator?
It is easy to use FireBug, just follow the below steps.
1- Right click on any web object and press the “Inspect Element with Firebug” option. It’ll open up an HTML code window as shown in the below image.
2- From the code window, again right click and select the “Copy XPath” option to retrieve the element’s XPath locator or you can try other ones as well.
What is FirePath add-on?
This plugin extends the capability of the FireBug add-on. It brings the options to modify, inspect and produce XPath and the CSS Selector locators.
Why is the FirePath useful in Selenium automation?
1- You can supply custom XPath values and test their correctness by spotlighting the effects directly on the Webpage.
2- It returns the XPath of the element you’ve selected Like the Firebug add-on does.
Download Firepath For Firefox
How to install FirePath in FireFox browser?
We’ve told above that FirePath only extends the FireBug capabilities. So you should install it after adding the FireBug add-on.
1- It is the same process as we did for the FireBug add-on. Just go to Tools >> Web Developer >> Get More Tools.
2- Search for the FirePath plugin and click on the “Add to Firefox” button.
3- After clicking the add option, the FirePath installation dialog will open as shown below. You’ll have to press the “Install” button to finish the process.
4- Now, you can give the “F12” command and check the “FirePath” option got added in the Firebug’s toolbar.
Learn how to use FirePath to find element locator?
It is, even more, easier to use FirePath than FireBug. Check out the below steps for help.
1- Open FireBug and click on the “FirePath” tab. There you can find an XPath edit field which would point to the XPath of any selected web element. Here you can write a custom XPath and use the “Highlight” button to verify it.
2- The FirePath plugin makes the presentation of the XPath pretty straight. You can easily copy the XPath of the selected web element. And later use the saved XPath value in the test automation project.
Live Action – Installing and Using Both FireBug and FirePath in FireFox.
Now, it’s time to summarize what you’ve learned from this post. We’ve brought you the animated GIF, which contains the step-by-step process of the plugin installation and the usage flow as explained in the above sections.
Compare FireBug and FirePath.
The fundamental difference between the two is that FireBug returns the Absolute XPath whereas the FirePath returns the relative path. Check out the below examples for more clarity on the difference between the FireBug and FirePath. Though you can also tune the FirePath setting to produce the absolute XPath as well.
Best,
TechBeamers.
FirePath addon is a Firebug extension that includes a development tool to review, edit and produce XPath 1.0 articulations, CSS 3 selectors and JQuery selectors.
This module broadens the ability of the FireBug add-on. It brings the choices to change, investigate and produce XPath and the CSS Selector locators.
You can supply custom XPath values and test their rightness by spotlighting the impacts straightforwardly on the Webpage. It restores the XPath of the component you’ve chosen as the Firebug add-on does.
We’ve told above that selenium FirePath just expands the FireBug abilities. So you should install it after adding the FireBug add-on.
Step by step instructions to Download and Install Firepath Addon
Step 1- First Install the FireBug and then Go to Tools > Web Developer > Get More Tools.
Step 2- It will open a Webpage and will show all the modules accessible for Firefox program. As I said before that it is an extension to Firebug, you have to click on the Extensions link and the type Firepath on the Search field. As we need FirePath addon, simply click on Add to Firefox button for FirePath.
Firepath For Firefox Install
Step 3- Hit on the “Install Now” button to continue.
Step 4- Once it is installed, it will request to restart the program. Click on the Restart Now button.
Step 5- Once it is opened, press ‘F-12′ to open Firebug tool. It will show the FirePath on the same console like this:
Difference between FireBug and FirePath Addon
The main contrast from an Automation tester perspective is FireBug returns Absolute XPath and FirePath returns Relative XPath.
Firepath Plugin For Firefox
Pros of utilizing FirePath Addon:
- Edit XPath articulations, CSS3 selectors and JQuery selectors.
- Assess the articulation/selector on any HTML or XML records.
- Show the consequence of assessments in a Firebug-like DOM tree.
- Highlight the outcomes straightforwardly on the document shown by Firefox
- Produce an XPath articulation or a CSS selector for an element by right-clicking on it and choosing “Inspect in FirePath” in the setting menu.
- Characterize the evaluation context (parent) of an articulation/selector.
- Pick the report wherein to assess the articulation/selector.
Firepath Tool
Although the FirePath Addon played an important role in order to locate selenium scripts, so, it is vital to install it first. You can follow the steps mentioned above and easily download as well as install the FirePath