What is the difference between implicit wait and explicit wait? In the world of automated testing, understanding the nuances between these two types of waits is crucial for efficient and effective test execution. Both implicit wait and explicit wait are used to handle the variability in the response time of web elements during test automation. However, they differ in their implementation, scope, and usage. In this article, we will explore the key differences between implicit wait and explicit wait, helping you make informed decisions while designing your test scripts.
Firstly, let’s define what each type of wait is. Implicit wait is a global wait setting that applies to all elements in a test script. It is set at the beginning of the test script and remains active throughout the execution. On the other hand, explicit wait is a targeted wait that is applied to a specific element or a group of elements. It is a conditional wait that waits for a certain condition to be met before proceeding with the test execution.
The primary difference between implicit wait and explicit wait lies in their scope. Implicit wait affects all elements in the test script, whereas explicit wait is limited to a specific element or a group of elements. This means that if you have an implicit wait of 10 seconds, all elements in your test script will wait for up to 10 seconds before throwing an exception if they are not interacted with. Conversely, an explicit wait of 10 seconds will only wait for the specified element to become interactable within that time frame.
Another significant difference is the way they handle exceptions. When an implicit wait is set, if an element is not interactable within the specified time frame, the test script will throw a NoSuchElementException. This exception is then caught and handled by the test script. In contrast, when an explicit wait is set, if the specified condition is not met within the given time frame, the test script will continue executing the next line of code without throwing an exception. This allows for more flexibility in handling timeouts and exceptions.
Furthermore, the implementation of implicit wait and explicit wait varies across different test automation frameworks. For instance, in Selenium WebDriver, implicit wait is set using the `setImplicitWait` method, while explicit wait is implemented using the `WebDriverWait` class along with a `expected_conditions` object. This difference in implementation highlights the importance of understanding the specific framework’s capabilities and limitations when using these waits.
In conclusion, the main difference between implicit wait and explicit wait lies in their scope, implementation, and usage. While implicit wait affects all elements in the test script, explicit wait is targeted towards specific elements. Both types of waits are essential for handling the variability in response times of web elements during test automation. By understanding their differences, you can design more robust and efficient test scripts that effectively handle timeouts and exceptions.
