The Page Object Model (POM) is a popular design pattern for test automation frameworks that aims to improve the maintainability, readability, and reusability of test scripts. In this article, you will learn what the POM is, how it works, and what are its benefits and challenges for system testing.
The POM is a way of organizing the elements and actions of a web page into separate classes or objects. Each page or component of a web application has its own page object that contains the locators and methods for interacting with that page or component. The test scripts then use these page objects to perform the test steps, without directly accessing the web elements. This creates a layer of abstraction between the test logic and the user interface.
POM, or Page Object Model, is a design pattern commonly used in test automation to enhance the maintainability and readability of automated tests. It involves creating a separate class for each web page or significant component of a web application, encapsulating all the interactions and elements of that page within the class. This separation of concerns makes the tests more modular and less prone to duplication, as changes to the page structure or functionality only require updates to the corresponding Page Object class. Test scripts then interact with these Page Objects rather than directly with the web elements, improving the test's clarity and ease of maintenance. POM is widely adopted in Selenium-based test automation frameworks.
The Page Object Model (POM) is a design pattern in test automation that helps organize test scripts by creating a class or object for each web page of the application being tested. I’ve used POM to separate the UI elements from the test logic, making tests cleaner and more maintainable. Each page object contains the methods that represent the user interactions, such as clicking a button or entering text, which keeps the test scripts simple and readable.
The POM follows a simple structure: each page object class has a constructor that initializes the web driver and the locators for the web elements on that page. The locators can be defined using various strategies, such as ID, name, class, XPath, CSS selector, etc. The page object class also has methods that perform actions on the web elements, such as clicking, typing, selecting, verifying, etc. The test scripts then import the page object classes and call the methods to execute the test steps.
In my experience, the POM works by treating each web page as an object, with its elements (like buttons and input fields) defined as variables and its actions (like submitting a form) as methods. This abstraction allows the actual test logic to focus on the actions being performed rather than the details of the UI, which is handled by the page objects. For example, when testing a login page, I create a login page object that handles the username, password, and login button. This way, my test script just calls the login method, making it easier to maintain and update.
The POM (Page Object Model) offers several advantages for system testing, such as reducing code duplication and improving reusability by centralizing web elements and actions in one place. It also enhances readability and clarity by separating the test logic from the user interface details. Additionally, it simplifies maintenance and scalability by allowing easy updates and changes to the web elements and actions without affecting the test scripts. Furthermore, it supports modularity and flexibility by enabling the creation of reusable components and libraries that can be used across multiple test scripts and scenarios. Finally, it facilitates collaboration and communication by following a common and consistent structure and naming convention for the page objects and methods.
I’ve found several benefits to using POM in my projects. The biggest advantage is reusability—I can reuse page objects across multiple tests, which saves a lot of time and reduces duplication. POM also makes maintenance easier. If there’s a change in the UI, I only need to update the page object, not every test case. This approach also improves readability since test scripts focus on business logic rather than technical details, making it easier for team members to understand and collaborate on test cases.
The Page Object Model (POM) is not without its drawbacks for testers. It requires more effort and time to design and implement the page objects and methods, and may introduce complexity and overhead by adding an extra layer of abstraction and code that needs to be managed. Additionally, it may not be suitable for all types of web applications and test scenarios, such as those that involve frequent changes, multiple windows, frames, or pop-ups. Furthermore, it may not be compatible with some test automation tools and frameworks that have their own way of handling web elements and actions.
One of the major challenge of the Page Object Model (POM) is that it does not provide fast execution of test scripts i.e. do not increase the speed of test execution.
While POM offers a lot of benefits, it also comes with challenges. One issue I’ve faced is that the initial setup can be time-consuming. Creating page objects for every page and method for each action requires upfront effort, especially in large applications. Another challenge is that if not designed carefully, the page objects can become too complex, especially when handling dynamic elements or multi-step processes, leading to bloated code.
The POM is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and testers must assess its suitability and feasibility for their individual test automation needs and objectives. To overcome the challenges of the POM, testers can employ a hybrid approach that combines the POM with other design patterns and techniques, such as data-driven testing and keyword-driven testing. Additionally, testers should use a robust web driver and locator strategy that can address dynamic and changing web elements and actions. Moreover, it is important to have a clear and consistent naming convention and documentation for the page objects and methods that accurately reflect their purpose and functionality. Furthermore, testers should use a version control system to track changes to the page objects and methods. Lastly, it is beneficial to use a test automation framework that supports and integrates the POM, such as Selenium or TestNG.
I’ve learned to start small, implementing POM incrementally. Instead of creating page objects for the entire application at once, I focus on one part of the application at a time, such as the login flow, and expand as needed. To avoid complexity, I also apply the Single Responsibility Principle (SRP), ensuring that each page object focuses only on its specific page or component. Regular code reviews and refactoring also help keep the page objects lean and maintainable over time.