Utilizing Online Web Browsers for Advanced Exploratory Testing of User Flows

Exploratory testing is a manual way of testing software. Testers explore a system without a pre-made test plan or prior experience. They use their knowledge, skills, and creativity to find defects, vulnerabilities, and usability issues. This testing process combines learning, designing tests, and executing simultaneously. Exploratory testing is an agile method that allows testers to debug the code without a script.

Testers can thoroughly explore user flows using Web browser online tools from the web browser. You can identify potential problems and ensure a consistent user experience. This blog gives the best practices for using web browser online tools in exploratory testing and practical tips to enhance testing efficiency and effectiveness.

Role of Online Web Browsers in Exploratory Testing

Web browser online tools are crucial for exploratory testing because they offer immediate access to web applications. Testers can easily switch between different browsers to check compatibility and performance. The ability to perform real-time testing helps quickly identify and address issues. 

Web browser online tools provide detailed insights into how applications interact with various elements and user actions. This environment supports dynamic and spontaneous testing and allows testers to explore different scenarios and edge cases. 

Advantages of Using Web Browser Online:

Online web browsers play a vital role in exploratory testing. They offer unique advantages that enhance the testing process.

• Accessibility: Online web browsers are readily available to everyone. They do not require special setup or installation.
• Compatibility Testing: Testers can easily check how applications work across different browsers. This ensures that the application is compatible with various environments.
• Real-Time Testing: Web browsers allow testers to see the effects of their actions immediately. This helps quickly identify and address issues.
• Tool Integration: Many browsers support useful extensions and tools. These enhance the capabilities of testers and improve efficiency.
• Ease of Use: Browsers have user-friendly interfaces. This makes it simple for testers to navigate and test applications effectively.

Online web browsers make exploratory testing more efficient and thorough. They provide valuable features that help testers find and fix issues quickly.

Popular Web Browsers for Exploratory Testing

Here are some of the popular browsers that support exploratory testing:

Google Chrome

• Google Chrome offers extensive DevTools with features like live editing and performance analysis, which are crucial for exploratory testing.
• Its large extension library enhances testing capabilities, providing various tools for thorough exploration and debugging.

Mozilla Firefox

• Mozilla Firefox has strong privacy features and comprehensive DevTools, making it a reliable choice for exploratory testing.
• Being an open-source browser, it allows testers to customize their environment, enabling tailored and effective testing sessions.

Safari

• Safari is optimized for Apple devices, ensuring strong performance and seamless integration with macOS and iOS, which aids in consistent exploratory testing.
• The browser’s smooth user experience is particularly beneficial for testers within the Apple ecosystem, enhancing testing efficiency.

Microsoft Edge

• As it is based on Chromium, Microsoft Edge offers responsive browsing and strong performance necessary for efficient exploratory testing.
• Its strong Windows connection offers improved functionality and facilitates application testing in a Windows environment.

Opera

• Opera is based on Chromium. Opera offers special features such as an integrated VPN and ad blocker that improve security and privacy during testing.
• Testers can customize their testing environment with the browser's customization tools, which improves user experience and encourages thorough testing.

Brave

• Brave is built on Chromium and prioritizes privacy with an integrated tracker and ad blocking, making it useful for safe exploratory experimentation.
• Because of its reputation for quick performance, testers who require speed and anonymity during their testing sessions can rely on this browser.

Internet Explorer (Legacy)

• Internet Explorer is essential for accessing legacy web applications that require older technologies, making it useful for testing outdated systems.
• Its integration with older Windows systems ensures compatibility and usability, crucial for exploratory testing in legacy environments.

Samsung Internet

• Samsung Internet is optimized for Samsung devices, ensuring strong performance and smooth operation, which aids in effective exploratory testing.
• The browser offers good privacy features, providing a secure and reliable environment for thorough exploratory testing sessions.

Common Tools and Extensions in Web Browser Online for Exploratory Testing

Using the right tools and extensions can greatly enhance exploratory testing. These tools and extensions make exploratory testing more effective. They provide testers with the necessary features to uncover and address issues efficiently. 

Here are the common tools preferred by developers that help make the testing cycle more easier:

• Browser Developer Tools: Chrome DevTools and Firefox Developer tools help identify bugs and debug web pages easily.

• Bug Magnet: This extension provides quick access to common test values. It saves time by offering predefined values like special characters and boundary values.
• Postman: Postman is an API testing tool that can be used in browsers. It allows testers to simulate various scenarios and test API functionality.
• Selenium IDE is a browser extension for recording and playback interactions. It helps automate exploratory testing tasks.
• aXe: This extension focuses on accessibility testing. It helps identify and fix accessibility issues during the exploratory testing process.

Utilizing Web Browser Online DevTools for Enhanced Testing

Here is how you can use online browser DevTools for advanced exploratory testing:

Inspecting and Modifying HTML/CSS

Browser DevTools are invaluable for inspecting and modifying HTML and CSS. They provide detailed insights into the structure and styling of web pages.

• Element Inspection: DevTools allow testers to inspect individual HTML elements. This helps in understanding the DOM structure and locating elements quickly.
• Live Editing: Testers can modify HTML and CSS directly within the browser. Changes are reflected immediately, aiding in visualizing the impact without altering the source code.
• CSS Analysis: DevTools provides comprehensive information on applied CSS rules. Testers can see which rules are active and overridden, helping debug styling issues.
• Layout Inspection: Tools like the box model viewer help testers understand element sizing and spacing. This is crucial for diagnosing layout problems and ensuring design consistency.
• Performance Insight: You can examine the rendered markup and identify potential performance bottlenecks. This helps optimize load times and improve the user experience.

Monitoring Network Activity

Monitoring network activity is a key feature of Browser DevTools. It helps testers analyze how a web page interacts with the server.

• Request Inspection: DevTools display all network requests made by the page. This includes details like request headers, response headers, and status codes.
• Performance Metrics: Testers can see the time taken for each request. This helps identify slow-loading resources and optimize performance.
• Resource Analysis: DevTools categorize network requests by type, such as scripts, images, and stylesheets. This aids in understanding resource utilization and load order.
• Error Detection: The network panel highlights failed requests. Testers can investigate these to diagnose connectivity issues or server-side errors.
• Data Monitoring: DevTools allow viewing of data payloads in network requests. This assists in checking the accuracy of the data sent to and received from the server.

Debugging JavaScript Issues

Browser DevTools offers powerful features for debugging JavaScript issues. They help testers identify and fix problems in the code.

• Breakpoint Setting: Testers can set breakpoints in the JavaScript code. This pauses execution at specific points, allowing for detailed inspection of variables and flow.
• Error Messages: DevTools display detailed error messages in the console. These messages often include stack traces, helping testers trace back to the source of the issue.
• Variable Monitoring: Testers can watch variables and see their values change in real time. This is useful for tracking down issues related to variable states and scope.
• Step Execution: DevTools allow stepping through code line by line. This helps in understanding the execution flow and identifying logical errors.
• Event Listeners: Testers can inspect and manage event listeners attached to elements. This aids in debugging issues related to user interactions and event handling.

Best Practices for Using Web Browser Online Tools for Exploratory Testing of User Flows

Using online tools from the web browser for exploratory testing can help uncover issues in user flows. Here are some best practices to ensure effective testing:

• Plan Your Testing Objectives: Define clear objectives for your exploratory testing session. Know what user flows you need to test and what outcomes you expect to achieve.
• Familiarize with DevTools: Spend time understanding the capabilities of browser DevTools. Learn to inspect elements, monitor network activity, and debug JavaScript issues.
• Test Across Multiple Browsers: Use different browsers to test user flows. This ensures that your application works consistently across various environments. Use cloud testing platforms or services to perform cross-browser testing with their ready-to-use environments. LambdaTest provides an AI-powered platform for executing tests, allowing users to conduct both manual and automated tests at scale, with access to over 3000+ real devices, browsers, and operating system combinations. It boasts a scalable cloud grid and is recognized as one of the premier cross-browser testing tools. LambdaTest supports the automation of test scripts using various testing frameworks such as Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Appium, Espresso, XCUITest, and more.

Key Features:

• Run automation tests using different programming languages and frameworks on an online browser farm featuring over 3000 real desktop and mobile environments.
• Conduct real-time cross-browser testing on the Real Device Cloud.
• Expedite test automation with HyperExecute, a high-speed next-generation end-to-end test orchestration cloud.
• Utilize Test At Scale, an open-source test selection and flaky test management platform, to accelerate testing, reduce job times, and receive quicker feedback on code commits.
• Employ smart visual regression testing on the cloud to detect visual deviations.
• Benefit from over 120 third-party integrations with tools for CI/CD, Project Management, Codeless Automation, and more.
• Perform localhost testing of web and mobile applications.
• Conduct geolocation testing of web and mobile apps across 53+ geographies.
• Utilize Chromium-based LT Browser 2.0 for faster responsive testing across 50+ pre-installed device viewports.

• Simulate Different Devices: Use the device simulation feature in DevTools. Test how user flows behave on devices like mobile phones and tablets.
• Monitor Network Requests: Keep an eye on network requests and responses. Check for slow or failed requests that might disrupt user flows.
• Use Console Logs: Utilize the console to log important information. This helps identify issues and understand the application's behavior during user interactions.
• Check for Errors and Warnings: Regular console checking for errors and warnings can help address any issues that appear, ensuring smooth user flows.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using web browser online tools for exploratory testing of user flows is essential for ensuring a smooth and seamless user experience. By following best practices such as planning objectives, familiarizing with DevTools, and testing across multiple browsers and devices, testers can uncover potential issues early. 

Keeping the development team informed about findings is easier when screenshots and videos are used as documentation. These procedures improve web applications' dependability and quality, improving user experience in the long run.

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