What is Appium?

In the ever-evolving world of mobile application development and testing, tools like Appium have emerged as indispensable assets for developers and quality assurance professionals. Appium is an open-source, cross-platform mobile application automation tool that simplifies the testing process for mobile applications, ensuring their quality and reliability across various devices and operating systems.

Appium is a popular choice for mobile automation testing because of its versatility and ability to automate native, hybrid, and mobile web applications on both Android and iOS platforms. Below, we'll delve into some of the key features and benefits of Appium.

What is Appium for?

Appium is used substantially in the field of software test robotization, to help determine whether the functionality of a given app is working as anticipated. In discrepancy to other types of software testing, UI robotization allows testers to write a law that walks through stoner scripts in the factual UI of an operation, mimicking as nearly as possible what happens in the real world while enabling the colorful benefits of robotization, including speed, scale, and thickness.

Appium aims to give a set of tools that support this kind of robotization in a standard way across any number of platforms. utmost platforms come with tools that allow UI robotization at some positions, but these are generally platform-specific and bear technical knowledge and specific programming language experience and toolchains. Appium tries to unify all these robotization technology under a single troop interface, accessible via utmost popular programming languages( you can write Appium scripts in Java, Python, Ruby, JS, and further).

Appium Architecture | How Appium works?

At the core, Appium is an HTTP garçon written in nodejs that exposes REST API. The customer communicates with Appium garçon via REST API’s and it's handled by Mobile JSON Wire Protocol.

The first step in this communication inflow is the creation of the session. The customer initiates the session by transferring a request to the garçon conforming of session affiliated information in crucial- value dyads, called as Wanted Capabilities. On the base of Wanted Capabilities, Appium can separate between iOS and android platform and launch a session on target device/ simulator/ impersonator. A session inauguration is principally a POST/ wd/ mecca/ session request by customer.

Appium responds to this request in the form of a session id. Once the session is established, customer and Appium garçon interacts with the session id as reference.

How Appium works on android?

For Android bias, Appium uses UI Automator API’s to interact with UI factors of operation Under Test.

customer libraries converts the stoner written commands to the REST API requests. These requests are transferred to the Appium Garçon using Mobile JSON Wire Protocol. Appium garçon forward these requests to target android device/ impersonator. These commands are interpreted bybootstrap.jar which converts them into mobile accessible UIAutomator format. The UI Automator commands are now performed on the device/ impersonator. Device/ impersonator also reverts the outgrowth of the performed command to the Appium garcon viabootstrap.jar. Appium garçon forwards this response to the customer

How Appium works on iOS?

For iOS bias, Appium uses Apple’s native XCUITest API to interact with UI factors of operation Under Test. XCUITest is a UI testing frame erected on top of Apple’s unit testing frame, XCTest.

Customer libraries converts the stoner written commands to the REST API requests. These requests are transferred to the Appium Garçon using Mobile JSON Wire Protocol. Appium garcon forward these requests to the target iOS device/ simulator. These commands are interpreted by WebDriverAgent.app which converts them into mobile accessible format by calling Apple’s XCUITest API. Device/ simulator also reverts the outgrowth of the performed command to the Appium garcon viaWebDriverAgent.app. Appium garcon forwards this response to the customer

How to install Appium and How to Set up in Mac, and Windows?

Step 1: Install Appium using Node.js

The first step is to corroborate whetherNode.js is formerly installed in the system

To do so, open the terminal and run the following command :

node --version

If Node.js is formerly installed in the system, it ’ll return the knot interpretation, differently it throws an error stating – ‘ knot isn't honored ’, which meansNode.js isn't installed in the system.

To install Node.js, visit the sanctionedNode.js download section:

• Choose the Node installer per the underpinning operating system( Mac or Windows).

• Windows druggies can corroborate the bit size( 32- bit or 64- bit) by checking computer parcels. Download the installer consequently.

• Once the installer is downloaded, run it and do with the installation. Define the path explicitly if needed.

• Once the installation is complete, renew the terminal and run the command-> knot – interpretation again. It'll return the knot interpretation.

• This indicates the successful installation ofNode.js. TheNode.js installation also covers the installation of npm( knot package director).

• Mac druggies can use the knot- v and npm- v commands to corroborate the installation and interpretation details.

To install Appium, run the following command.

npm install -g appium

The command over will download and install Appium. formerly done, corroborate the Appium installation on macOS or Windows by running the command below:

appium --version

This will return the rearmost Appium interpretation installed in your system.

• To start the Appium garçon directly from the terminal, enter “ appium ” as a command. It'll begin on the Appium garçon on Port number 4723.

With the way over, we've successfully installed Appium usingNode.js.

Key Features of Appium

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Appium provides a unified frame for automating mobile operations, making it compatible with Android, iOS, and indeed Windows mobile platforms. Thiscross-platform capability is particularly precious for associations that develop operations for multiple operating systems.
• Open Source: Appium's open- source nature means that it's freely available to the inventor community. This not only reduces costs but also fosters collaboration, leading to regular updates and advancements.
• Support for Multiple Programming Languages: Appium supports colorful programming languages, including Java, Python, Ruby, and JavaScript. This inflexibility allows inventors to work with the language they're most comfortable with.
• No App Modifications: does not bear any revision to the source law of the mobile operation being tested. Thisnon-intrusive approach ensures that the tests directly pretend real- world operation scripts.
• Real Devices and Emulators: Appium supports testing on real bias and parrots, furnishing inflexibility in test surroundings. This is pivotal for replicating real- world operation conditions and vindicating app functionality across different device configurations..
• Extensive Community and Support: Due to its open- source nature, Appium boasts a large and active community of inventors and testers. This means you can find abundant coffers, tutorials, and forums to seek help and guidance when working with Appium.

Benefits of Using Appium

• Cost-Efficiency: As an open-source tool, Appium eliminates the need for costly licensing fees, making it accessible to both small and large development teams.

• Consistency: Appium ensures that the application functions consistently across various platforms and devices, reducing the chances of compatibility issues and improving the overall user experience.

• Automation Across the Mobile Development Lifecycle: Appium supports automation at different stages of the mobile development lifecycle, from unit testing to end-to-end testing, ensuring comprehensive quality control.

• Simplified Testing: With its support for multiple programming languages, Appium simplifies the testing process and allows teams to leverage their existing coding skills.

• Enhanced Collaboration: Appium's open-source nature promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among mobile application testers and developers.

Limitation of Appium

• Slower Execution: Appium tests can be slower compared to native testing frameworks because it has to communicate with the app through various layers, which can introduce some delays.

• Device Compatibility: Appium's compatibility with certain Android devices and iOS versions can be a challenge. Some advanced device-specific features may not be easily accessible.

• Automation Challenges: Automating tasks that require interacting with the device's hardware features (like taking a screenshot) can be difficult in Appium.

• Limited Support for Non-Mobile Apps: Appium is primarily designed for mobile apps, so automating interactions with non-mobile apps, like web apps, can be more complex.

• Community Support: While Appium has a strong community, it might not be as comprehensive as commercial alternatives when it comes to support and documentation.

Conclusion

Appium is a valuable asset for anyone involved in mobile application development and testing. Its open-source nature, cross-platform compatibility, and support for multiple programming languages make it a popular choice for ensuring the quality and functionality of mobile applications. Whether you're a developer, a quality assurance professional, or a part of a mobile development team, Appium is a tool that can streamline your testing process and help deliver reliable, high-quality mobile applications to end-users.