Protractor

1. Introduction

Protractor is an end-to-end testing framework specifically designed for Angular and AngularJS applications, providing a robust solution for automating web application testing. Developed by the Angular team at Google, Protractor allows developers and testers to write tests in a simple and understandable manner, utilizing JavaScript and familiar testing libraries.

Protractor is built on top of WebDriverJS, which is the JavaScript implementation of the Selenium WebDriver. This framework offers a powerful toolset that allows for the simulation of user interactions in real browsers, enabling comprehensive testing of web applications under real-world conditions. With its ability to interact with Angular-specific elements and its integration with popular testing frameworks like Jasmine, Mocha, and Cucumber, Protractor is a preferred choice for teams working with Angular applications.

This review will delve into Protractor’s features, advantages, drawbacks, usage scenarios, pricing, and the types of users for whom it is best suited.

2. Features

Protractor is packed with features that make it an ideal choice for automating the testing of Angular and AngularJS applications:

• Angular Synchronization: Protractor automatically waits for Angular to finish rendering before running tests, eliminating the need for manual waits and sleep commands. This feature significantly improves the reliability of tests.
• Support for Multiple Testing Frameworks: Protractor integrates seamlessly with popular testing frameworks such as Jasmine, Mocha, and Cucumber, allowing teams to choose their preferred testing style and structure.
• Cross-Browser Testing: Protractor supports testing across various browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. This ensures that applications perform consistently across different environments.
• Built-in Locators: Protractor offers several built-in locator strategies, such as by.model, by.binding, and by.repeater, which are tailored for Angular applications. This makes it easier to identify and interact with elements in the DOM.
• Page Object Model (POM): Protractor supports the Page Object Model design pattern, allowing users to create reusable components for test scripts. This modularity enhances maintainability and readability.
• Custom Locators: Users can define custom locators to streamline the selection process for complex elements or components that may not fit into standard locators.
• Integration with CI/CD: Protractor can easily integrate into Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, allowing for automated testing during the development process and ensuring that new changes do not break existing functionality.
• Extensive Documentation and Community Support: Protractor has comprehensive documentation and a supportive community, making it easier for new users to get started and find solutions to common problems.
• Real User Interaction Simulation: Protractor simulates real user interactions, allowing for more realistic testing of applications. This includes actions such as clicking buttons, filling out forms, and navigating through the application.
• Reporting Capabilities: Protractor can be configured to generate detailed test reports, providing insights into test execution, including passed, failed, and skipped tests, along with error messages and stack traces.

3. Pros

Protractor offers several advantages that make it a popular choice for web testing automation:

• Angular-Specific Enhancements: Protractor is designed specifically for Angular applications, providing features that simplify the testing process and improve reliability.
• Ease of Use: The framework's straightforward syntax and automatic synchronization with Angular make it easy for testers and developers to write and maintain tests without extensive JavaScript knowledge.
• Modular Architecture: The Page Object Model support encourages a modular approach to test design, enhancing code organization and reducing duplication.
• Robust Community Support: Protractor has a strong community of users and contributors, providing access to a wealth of resources, tutorials, and plugins.
• Flexibility with Testing Frameworks: Protractor’s compatibility with various testing frameworks allows teams to choose the best fit for their existing processes and preferences.
• Continuous Integration Support: Protractor's ability to integrate with CI/CD pipelines facilitates automated testing, enabling teams to catch issues early in the development process.
• Cross-Browser Capabilities: Protractor’s support for multiple browsers ensures that applications can be tested across different environments, promoting broader coverage and consistency.

4. Cons

Despite its strengths, Protractor has some limitations that potential users should consider:

• Angular Dependency: Protractor is primarily designed for Angular applications. While it can be used for non-Angular applications with some workarounds, it is not as effective or reliable in those contexts.
• Steeper Learning Curve for Non-Angular Applications: Users working with non-Angular applications may find Protractor challenging to configure and use effectively compared to other testing frameworks designed for general web applications.
• Performance Issues: Running Protractor tests, especially on large applications or in parallel, can lead to performance issues, resulting in longer test execution times.
• Limited Support for Legacy Applications: Protractor may not be the best choice for legacy applications that do not use Angular, as its features are tailored for Angular's architecture and design patterns.
• Less Suitable for Unit Testing: While Protractor excels at end-to-end testing, it is less suited for unit testing, where other frameworks like Jasmine or Mocha may be more appropriate.

5. Usage with One Example and Sample Code

Protractor can be employed effectively for testing Angular applications through various scenarios. Below is a common usage example, along with sample code for automating a simple Angular application test.

Example Scenario:

Company Z is developing an Angular-based project management application. To ensure the application functions correctly after each update, the development team decides to use Protractor to automate their end-to-end testing.

1. Setup: The team installs Protractor and configures it for their application. They set up a configuration file (protractor.conf.js) to define the testing environment and specify the base URL of the application.
2. Test Script Creation: The team creates a test script that automates the following scenarios:
   • Navigate to the application’s homepage.
   • Login with valid credentials.
   • Create a new project.
   • Verify that the project appears in the project list.
3. Running Tests: The team runs the Protractor test suite, which automates the specified scenarios and reports any issues encountered during the execution.

Sample Code for Automating an Angular Application Test

Below is an example of a Protractor test script for the described scenario:

// protractor.conf.js
exports.config = {
    framework: 'jasmine',
    seleniumAddress: 'http://localhost:4444/wd/hub',
    specs: ['project-spec.js'],
    capabilities: {
        'browserName': 'chrome'
    },
    baseUrl: 'http://localhost:4200', // Angular application URL
};

// project-spec.js
describe('Project Management App', function() {
    it('should login and create a new project', function() {
        // Navigate to the homepage
        browser.get('/');

        // Login with valid credentials
        element(by.model('username')).sendKeys('testUser');
        element(by.model('password')).sendKeys('password123');
        element(by.buttonText('Login')).click();

        // Create a new project
        element(by.buttonText('New Project')).click();
        element(by.model('projectName')).sendKeys('New Project');
        element(by.buttonText('Create')).click();

        // Verify the new project appears in the project list
        var projectList = element.all(by.repeater('project in projects'));
        expect(projectList.count()).toBeGreaterThan(0);
        expect(projectList.last().getText()).toContain('New Project');
    });
});

Useful Links:

• Protractor Official Website
• Protractor Documentation
• Protractor GitHub Repository
• Protractor Examples

6. Pricing

Protractor is an open-source tool, and as such, it is available for free. There are no licensing fees associated with using Protractor, making it an attractive option for teams looking to implement end-to-end testing without incurring additional costs.

However, users should consider the potential costs associated with other tools and infrastructure needed to support testing activities, such as:

• Selenium Grid: If using Selenium Grid for distributed testing, there may be associated costs for infrastructure setup and maintenance.
• Continuous Integration (CI) Tools: While Protractor integrates seamlessly with CI tools, some of these tools may have licensing fees, depending on the chosen solution.

Overall, Protractor provides a cost-effective solution for Angular application testing without the burden of licensing fees.

7. Recommended For

Protractor is best suited for a variety of users and organizations, particularly those involved in Angular and AngularJS development. It is recommended for:

• Angular Developers: Teams building Angular applications can leverage Protractor’s features to automate end-to-end testing, ensuring that their applications perform as expected.
• QA Engineers: Quality assurance professionals looking to implement automated testing for Angular applications will find Protractor’s capabilities invaluable in enhancing test coverage and reliability.
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Teams: Protractor’s integration capabilities with CI/CD pipelines make it a suitable choice for teams aiming to implement automated testing within their development workflows.
• Technical Teams with JavaScript Expertise: Users with JavaScript knowledge can easily adopt Protractor, as it utilizes familiar syntax and concepts, enabling faster onboarding and productivity.
• Startups and Small Businesses: Being an open-source tool, Protractor offers an affordable

solution for startups and small businesses looking to implement automated testing without significant investment.

• Educational Institutions: Protractor serves as an excellent tool for teaching web application testing concepts to students, especially those focusing on Angular development.

Conclusion

Protractor emerges as a powerful and effective tool for automating end-to-end testing of Angular applications. Its ease of use, built-in support for Angular features, and flexibility make it a valuable asset for development and testing teams. While it is best suited for Angular and AngularJS applications, its open-source nature provides an affordable option for teams looking to enhance their testing capabilities. With its ability to simulate real user interactions and integrate seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines, Protractor empowers teams to deliver high-quality applications that meet user expectations and perform reliably under various conditions.