Selenium Framework for Beginners 31 | What are Headless Browsers

Today we will learn
What are Headless Browsers
Why should we use Headless Browsers
When should we NOT use Headless Browsers
Examples of Headless Browsers
helpful tips

What are Headless Browsers

Headless Browsers are web browsers without a head or GUI (Graphical User Interface)
i.e. you cannot see anything on your screen, programs runs at backend.

Headless Browsers are software programs that access the web pages but do not show them to the user.

Headless Chrome
Html Unit Browser
PhantomJS
TrifleJS
SlimmerJS

Why should we use Headless Browsers

Headless Browsers can be used for :

Running your test on a headless systems like linux os without gui.
When you want simulate multiple browser behaviour on a single machine.
To use minimal resources (because there is no GUI)
Need to run your test just for data creation

When should we NOT use Headless Browsers

Headless Browsers should not/cannot be used:

If you need to visually observe your test on the browser
It does not give you exact feedback of what your customers will actually experience on your website (Page loading speeds ...etc)
Headless Browsers sometimes may throw errors that is not observed on real browsers

Examples of Headless Browsers

Helpful Tips

You can use actual browsers on a headless machine

Real browsers can run in headless manner on systems with Linux with zero configurations. CI systems like Jenkins can be used.

Read about Xvfb - X virtual frame buffer
It is a display server that performs all graphical operations in memory without showing anything on the screen.
Therefore it does not require the system to have a screen or gui.

HtmlUnit browser can be run with Web Driver and not with Selenium RC.

Selenium RC cannot support headless HtmlUnit browser.

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Raghav

[rahulsharma-xkdb]

Thanks sir. Apki help ke liye bahut bahut sukriya

[alinawaz]

this is a very good video why you have so many less views. VERY VERY GOOD VIDEO!

[augustmicota]

I liked earlier audio with continuous transmission better, but still very informative video and whole course

[ram-vvbu]

Hi please share the video for how to generate testng test result for headless browser testing

[raghadraghad]

Hi I am automating printing feature using selenium Java I have to deal with printing preview of chrome. I use chromeOptions to set some settings for printing like Save as PDF select landscape
I have one question I need to change paper size to A4 instead of letter that is the default but I don’t know the attribute to set, do you have an idea or have the documentation for ?
I don’t know where to ask this question I will be happy if you could help.