Python Appium Framework

Generally, mobile automation is meant to be very difficult and needs high skills. We believe that a tester must have a diverse set of abilities. You do not need to be an expert in all of them, yet it is critical to have considered a range of topics and examined various methods. The context in which you assess will inform you of the specific testing technique and test equipment. The more options you are acquainted with, the better your context-specific selection will be.

The concept of mobile testing has become popular among testers. But, testers are not ready to start with mobile automation because of time-taking processes and actions. Mobile testing is much more challenging and complex than web automation as it needs To make the ease of work of mobile testing, Python gives a framework named appium which helps in Mobile testing. The Appium framework helps to build a robust mobile test automation framework.

Let's understand the Appium framework for Mobile Automation Testing.

What is Appium Framework?

Appium is an open-source solution for automating mobile web, mobile native, and mobile hybrid apps on iOS and Android platforms. Appium is "cross-platform" because it allows you to create tests using the same API on many platforms, such as iOS and Android. This allows for significant or total code reuse between iOS and Android test suites.

Features of Appium Framework

It is an open-source and free-of-cost
This framework supports multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, and Windows, to run the run test scripts.
It has a large and actively supported Google group.
The Appium framework supports languages like Python, Java, PHP, C#, Ruby, etc.
It is supported and works well in different Operating Systems, such as Mac, Windows, Linux, UNIX, etc.
The mobile automation with test cases can be automated easily using the appium framework.
There is no need to install anything on the device, and no server or code changes are necessary.
It is present in the Selenium 3 specifications/ documentation, so it should be future proof.

Drawback of the Appium Framework

It supports minimum gestures.
It is supported by Android Version less than 4.1.
It does not support any intelligent waits.
Only one test is executed at one time on iOS.

Appium Inspector

Appium Inspector is a mobile application automation tool for QA engineers. This tool serves as the usual process for identifying mobile application elements.

Prerequisites for Python Appium Framework

Java- latest edition for Android Studio (minimum 1.6)
Android Studio
Latest version of Appium framework

Now, let's begin with installing the Appium framework and its usage for automation mobile testing.

Installing the Appium framework needs a few steps, which include:

Step 1: Downloading the Recent Appium framework

Firstly, we must download the latest Appium framework and run the exe file to install the Appium desktop app. Or we can install the Python library for Appium, which we will discuss later in this article.

Step 2: Installing Java JDK

The next step is to install the Java JDK.

Install the Java JDK with the default settings.
JAVA_HOME will be set in the JDK folder.

Step 2: Android Studio - Download and Installation

Download the latest version of Android Studio and install it.

Choose the Default options while installing.
Then, the ANDROID_HOME must be set as the Android SDK path.
Set the tools and platform-tools folders to the PATH variable.

Step 3: Installing Android Images and Tools

Firstly, click the SDK manager
Select the necessary packages according to the platform on which we are making the application.
For example, building an App for Android 4.4.2, it needs the following packages:
- Android SDK Tools rev 22.6.3
- Android Platform-tools rev 19.0.1
- Android SDK Build-tools rev 19.1

Step 4: Installing the Python Client library

Client libraries in Java, Python, PHP, Ruby, C#, and JavaScript enable Appium's enhancements to the WebDriver concept. You choose to use these client libraries instead of your usual WebDriver client when utilizing Appium. You are all set to start the Appium framework.

Step 5: Starting the Android Virtual Device (AVD) Manager

Launch the Android Virtual Device (AVD) manager and start the process by clicking the AVD_Manager.

Now, create an emulator with the required options and start with the start button

Step 6: Getting Started with Appium Server Console.

Start the Appium Server Console by selecting and double-clicking the file.

Step 7: Launching the Appium Node Server

To launch the Appium node server, click on the rocket icon.

Launch_Appium
appium_node_server_console

We can also automate tests directly with the Python terminal. Firstly we will download the Appium framework in the Python terminal using this command line:

Along with the Appium Python Client, we need to install the Selenium framework. It can be installed using:

Now, we have set up the Appium framework. Let's start with the test using Appium. It takes a few steps to complete the testing part.

Testing with Appium

Step 1: Create a test app in the Android Studio named "Appium Test".

We will choose all the default settings while creating the app.

Step 2: Now, add the appium jars into the app made by following the steps below:

Go on the Project
Click App
Copy all the jars into the lib
Select the jars except for Selenium, Java client, and Junit Jar
Right-Click all the jars and "Add as Library".

Step 3:

Now, click on the build.gradle in the App made. All the libraries are on the screen using the build.gradle.

Step 4: Now, we will make a Java Class:

package com.example.myapplication

import android.os.Bundle
import androidx.activity.ComponentActivity
import androidx.activity.compose.setContent
import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxSize
import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
import androidx.compose.material3.Surface
import androidx.compose.material3.Text
import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.Preview
import com.example.myapplication.ui.theme.MyApplicationTheme
class MainActivity : ComponentActivity() {
    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContent {
            MyApplicationTheme {
                // A surface container using the 'background' color from the theme
                Surface(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(), color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.background) {
                    Greeting("Android")
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

@Composable
fun Greeting(name: String, modifier: Modifier = Modifier) {
    Text(
            text = "Hello $name!",
            modifier = modifier
    )
}

@Preview(showBackground = true)
@Composable
fun GreetingPreview() {
    MyApplicationTheme {
        Greeting("Android")
    }
}

Step 5: Running the Test

From the build option, select Unit Testings
Then, Start the Appium server with port '4444'
- Download the Appium for Windows.
- Click on the .exe file and then install Appium
- You can change the port if necessary
- Click the start/ play button to start the server
Connect the USB debugging or start an elumator and Run the test.