Test Automation for Hybrid Mobile Apps
Hybrid apps combine the aspects of both native and web apps. There are quite a few reasons to develop hybrid apps, but, one key reason is to provide developers proper space so that they can easily use development, frameworks, languages and tools that are familiar from the web. Through the hybrid apps concepts, there are multiple contexts for carrying out developing and testing activities productively. In this article, you will get to know the value of test automation for Hybrid mobile apps.
What are Hybrid Mobile apps?
They are specific applications that are installed on a device. Hybrid apps contain components from native apps, components from web apps and applications developed for a specific platform such as Android or iOS. Those apps or websites can be accessed on the internet via a browser. A native container is where the hybrid apps are deployed and this native container uses a mobile WebView object.
When the app is used, web content is displayed through this object by using web technologies such as HTML, HTML5, JavaScript and CSS. Web pages from a desktop website are displayed and which is adapted to a WebView display. The web content can be displayed for certain parts of the app or as soon as the app is opened.
A device’s hardware features (contacts, camera, accelerometer….) are accessed by installing the native apps. Native elements of each platform’s user interfaces (Android, iOS) are included. The specific features can be accessed by using the native code in order to create a flawless user experience. Hybrid apps can leverage platforms that offer JavaScript APIs if these functionalities are called within a WebView.
Carrying out test automation for hybrid mobile apps:
A hybrid app can be tested almost in a similar manner as a web app is tested. A script will be written for each test case and the simplification of test phases will be carried out. When the application contains the native code, then the complexity arises, which is frequently the case. There will be multiple test scripts for each test case, each of which has been written in the platform’s native language on which the tests need to be conducted.
Bugs need to be addressed by the team that can exist individually on platforms, while the versions are kept synchronized
Advantages of Hybrid mobile apps:
1. Development time and costs are reduced: The code is written once, which, in turn, reduces costs and development time compared to native apps, which require development for Android and iOS.
2. The code of the web app part should be reused: The code is written once and then deployed across all the mobile platforms.
3. Resources are leveraged: Most applications have an Android and iOS version. They are then developed using programming languages such as Java for Android and Swift or Objective-C for iOS. In certain scenarios, Hybrid apps provide a platform to make web developers use their specific expertise, which is generally in languages such as CSS, JavaScript and HTML. Through this, the Hybrid app can be easily built.
4. Limitations of the Apple app store can be avoided: When an application needs to be deployed on the Apple App Store, the submission of the app needs to be done and then there is a specific time for the validation. Depending on the time of the year, the delay will vary, but also, it depends upon whether it is an update or a first submission. When it comes to using Hybrid apps, developers need not resubmit the new version.
Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing hybrid mobile app testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a top-notch software testing services company that will provide you with an expert software testing consultation and professional support for implementing the best testing solutions for your specific project.
