Learning Appium is super easy for Selenium Users

As a test automation engineer, especially if you are already familiar with Selenium, learning Appium for mobile automation might seem daunting. But here’s the good news: if you know Selenium, you’re halfway to mastering Appium! This blog compares Selenium and Appium, showing that learning Appium is not as difficult as it may seem.

What is Appium?

Appium is an open-source test automation framework that allows you to write tests for native, hybrid, and mobile web applications on both iOS and Android. The best part? Appium allows you to write tests using the same code you would for a web application in Selenium, making the transition smoother for Selenium users.

Why Learning Appium is important?

With mobile devices becoming the primary medium of interaction, companies are investing heavily in mobile apps. Test automation engineers with mobile automation skills are highly sought after, and Appium is one of the leading tools in this space. If you’re already proficient with Selenium, learning Appium will expand your skillset and boost your career prospects.

Selenium vs Appium: Drawing Parallels

Feature	Selenium	Appium
Programming Language	Supports Java, Python, C#, Ruby, etc.	Supports Java, Python, C#, Ruby, etc.
Driver Type	Works with web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)	Works with mobile apps (iOS, Android)
Test Framework	Uses WebDriver API	Also uses WebDriver API (Extended for mobile)
Locator Strategy	Same locators: ID, Name, Class, XPath	Same locators: ID, Name, Class, XPath
Execution Environment	Runs tests in browsers on desktops	Runs tests on real devices, emulators, or simulators

How to Get Started with learning Appium?

Now that you know the similarities, let’s explore how to start automating mobile apps with Appium.

1. Install Appium

You can install Appium via Node.js by running:

npm install -g appium

Alternatively, you can use Appium Desktop, which provides a GUI interface to launch and inspect apps.

2. Set Up Android Studio / Xcode

For Android, install Android Studio and set up your Android SDK. For iOS, you’ll need Xcode installed on a macOS system.

3. Connect a Device or Emulator

• Android: You can connect a real device or use an emulator.

• iOS: Use a real device or simulator (iOS requires a macOS machine).

4. Write Your First Test Case

Here’s a simple test case to demonstrate how Appium looks similar to Selenium. We’ll use Java for this example:

import io.appium.java_client.MobileElement;
import io.appium.java_client.android.AndroidDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.remote.DesiredCapabilities;
import java.net.URL;

public class AppiumTest {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        DesiredCapabilities caps = new DesiredCapabilities();
        caps.setCapability("platformName", "Android");
        caps.setCapability("deviceName", "MyDevice");
        caps.setCapability("app", "/path/to/app.apk");

        // Initialize the driver
        AndroidDriver<MobileElement> driver = new AndroidDriver<>(new URL("http://localhost:4723/wd/hub"), caps);

        // Example: find an element and interact with it
        MobileElement element = driver.findElementById("com.example:id/username");
        element.sendKeys("testuser");

        // Close the session
        driver.quit();
    }
}

What’s Familiar?


• DesiredCapabilities: Just like in Selenium, you define the environment in which the tests will run.
• Locators: Same strategies like findElementById (similar to Selenium’s findElement).
• Driver Initialization: The syntax for initializing the driver is very close to Selenium’s WebDriver.


5. Running the Test


Ensure your device/emulator is running, and you have the Appium server up (via CLI or Appium Desktop). Once everything is set up, execute your test just as you would in Selenium.


Understanding Appium’s Unique Features


While the learning curve for Appium is gentle for Selenium users, there are some unique features to keep in mind:


1. Cross-Platform Support: Appium supports both Android and iOS. You can reuse most of your test code for both platforms.
2. No App Recompilation: Appium doesn’t require access to the source code or modification of the app, making it perfect for black-box testing.
3. Mobile-Specific Actions: Appium allows you to perform mobile-specific gestures like swiping, tapping, and scrolling, which aren’t available in Selenium.
4. Appium Inspector: A great tool for inspecting mobile app elements, similar to how you use browser developer tools with Selenium.


Why Appium is Easy to Learn for Selenium Users


• Common API: Appium uses the WebDriver protocol, so the structure of the code, use of locators, and WebDriver commands will feel very familiar.
• Same Programming Languages: Whether you use Java, Python, or another language, you can continue to use it with Appium.
• Rich Ecosystem: Appium integrates seamlessly with popular testing frameworks like TestNG and JUnit, similar to Selenium.



Once you understand the common ground between Selenium and Appium, Transitioning from Selenium to Appium is easier than you might expect. Both frameworks share a common WebDriver API and similar structure, making it simple to transfer your existing knowledge. With the rise of mobile testing, adding Appium to your toolkit can greatly enhance your career opportunities as a test automation engineer.


So, if you’re already familiar with Selenium, don’t hesitate to dive into Appium. Mobile test automation is a rapidly growing field, and learning Appium will give you a valuable edge in the industry.