Comparison of Different Wait Methods

In the following table, we have compared the various sleep methods, implicit wait, explicit wait, and sleep function.

Parameters

Sleep Function

Implicit Wait

Explicit Wait

Wait time

It makes the web driver wait for the specified time, irrespective of whether the element is found or not.

It does not make web drivers wait for the complete duration of time. If the element is found before the duration specified, it moves on to the next line of code execution.

It makes the web driver stop the execution of the script based on a certain condition for a specified amount of time.

Loading of element

As you don’t know how much time will the element take to load so you have to predict the sleep function time unless that works.

In implicit wait, you can enter the maximum time you think an element will take to load, it loads earlier, and then the next line will be executed automatically.

In explicit wait, it is not necessary to enter the time, once the element is loaded, the next line is automatically executed.

NoSuchElementException error

It throws a NoSuchElementException error in case the element is not found after the sleep of the web driver is completed.

The NoSuchElementException error is thrown in case the element is not found in the specified time set by the user.

There is no chance of a NoSuchElementException error here as the next line is executed only when the element has been loaded properly.

How to ask the Selenium-WebDriver to wait for few seconds in Java?

An open-source framework that is used for automating or testing web applications is known as Selenium. There are some circumstances when the particular component takes some time to load or we want a particular webpage to be opened for much more duration, in that case, we ask the Selenium web driver to wait for a few seconds. In this article, we will discuss the same.

Table of Content

  • What is Selenium WebDriver?
  • How to Ask the Selenium-WebDriver to Wait for a Few Seconds in Java?
  • Comparison of Different Wait Methods
  • Best Practices for Waiting in Selenium-WebDriver
  • Handling Dynamic Elements with Waiting Strategies
  • Performance Considerations
  • Conclusion
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Reads

What is Selenium WebDriver?

An automated driver that provides a programming interface for interaction with elements on web pages, thus enabling automated testing of web applications across different browsers and platforms is known as a Selenium web driver. It allows users the features such as automation, cross-browser compatibility implicit and explicit wait, etc....

How to Ask the Selenium-WebDriver to Wait for a Few Seconds in Java?

There are 3 ways to ask the Selenium-WebDriver to wait for a few seconds in Java. These are:...

Comparison of Different Wait Methods

...

Best Practices for Waiting in Selenium-WebDriver

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Handling Dynamic Elements with Waiting Strategies

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Performance Considerations

In the following table, we have compared the various sleep methods, implicit wait, explicit wait, and sleep function....

Conclusion

Avoid sleep function: As the sleep function does not execute the next lines of code until the specified time is over, thus it adds unnecessary delays. Therefore, it is better to avoid sleep function. Use Explicit Waits Wisely: The explicit wait is the best waiting technique, still, it is recommended to use it wisely as excessive use of waits can slow down your tests. Optimize Timeout Values: It is very crucial to set proper time with sleep and implicit wait function depending on factors like network, loading of website, etc. Constantly Review and Enhance Waiting Techniques: The user should review the automation script at regular intervals and modify the waiting techniques, if necessary. Use Page Object Model: In case of the huge scripts, it is necessary to follow the page object model as it encapsulates waiting logic within page objects and makes tests more readable and maintainable....

Frequently Asked Questions

Explicit Waits: In the case of dynamic elements, explicit wait works best as it makes the script wait until it is necessary to make that element visible and clickable. Identify Stable Locators: It is suggested to use the locators that are expected not to change to find an element. This will reduce your effort of changing the script again and again and make it more dynamic. Retry Mechanisms: If you are executing a script on a large scale, then don’t forget to add a retry mechanism too in the script as it will reduce the failure of the script. Fluent Waits: This wait is almost similar to explicit wait, but it is useful while polling as it provides users the flexibility in defining polling intervals. Custom Wait Conditions: In case, you don’t wait to use any of the above-stated waiting methods, then you can create your waiting method by using if-else conditions for checking if the element is loaded or not....