Automated Cross Browser Layout Tests Using Galen

In web and mobile application development, delivering a consistent user interface across different browsers and device resolutions is of paramount importance. However, performing layout and responsive design tests manually can be time-consuming and exhausting. This is where the Galen Framework comes into play. As a powerful open-source tool, Galen is designed to automate cross-browser layout testing. Using a simple spec file structure to define web elements and validate CSS rules, Galen also enables design validation across various device resolutions.

What is Galen Framework?

Galen Framework is an open-source testing tool that automates layout and responsive design testing for web and mobile applications. Its purpose is to validate designs to ensure consistent user interfaces across different browsers and devices. Galen uses a simple spec file structure to define web elements and check their associated CSS rules. This framework offers developers the ability to speed up the manual testing process and reduce error rates. Being open-source, it allows contributions from anyone and can be customized according to specific needs.

Features of Galen Framework

Galen Framework offers a range of powerful features that simplify layout and responsive design testing for web and mobile applications. One of the key features of the framework is the use of a simple and understandable spec file structure. In this structure, web elements are defined, and CSS rules and element positions are checked. Galen adopts a flexible approach to responsive and layout testing, allowing it to test whether designs are displayed correctly across different screen sizes and resolutions. Additionally, this framework, which can be customized according to test scenarios, enables the validation of both CSS rules and element placements, helping to identify design issues early on.

System Requirements and Setup

Galen Framework setup involves several steps to ensure the tool works properly across different platforms. First, you need to ensure that Java is installed, as Galen requires at least Java 6 to function. Once Java is set up, you can proceed by downloading the latest version of Galen from its official website. For different operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, the installation process is straightforward, involving extracting the Galen zip file and configuring your environment variables accordingly.

On Windows, you’ll need to add the path of the extracted Galen folder to your system’s PATH environment variable. This allows you to access Galen from any directory in the command prompt. On macOS and Linux, you can use the terminal to configure the environment and make Galen accessible system-wide.

Once the installation is complete, you can check if everything is set up correctly by running the galen –version command. This will confirm the version of Galen installed and verify that the tool is ready for use. You can then start running your first layout tests using Galen’s simple syntax and command-line interface, ensuring cross-platform compatibility by following specific setup guides for each platform.

Creating Spec Files

In Galen Framework, spec files are used to define your tests. Within these spec files, web elements are defined using the Objects annotation. These elements can be identified using methods such as XPath, CSS selectors, ID, or class name. Properties such as position and size for each web element provide the necessary data for Galen to perform its tests. CSS rules added to the spec file are used to check whether each element is positioned correctly. For example, to test whether a button is positioned correctly on the screen, CSS properties like top, left, width, and height are specified for that element. These rules are crucial for ensuring the proper functioning of responsive and layout tests. Writing spec files correctly ensures that Galen produces consistent and reliable results in its testing processes.

Running Layout Tests with Galen

Running layout tests with Galen involves using the galen check command to execute the tests defined in spec files. This command runs the layout and responsive design tests across different screen sizes and browsers, validating whether the web elements appear as intended. After executing the test, Galen generates HTML reports that provide a detailed analysis of the test results. These reports highlight any discrepancies between the expected and actual layout, such as misaligned elements or incorrect sizing. Additionally, Galen allows you to run these tests across different browsers, ensuring consistent behavior and design across platforms. By using the galen check command, you can automate the process of verifying your layout and responsiveness, making it easier to maintain a consistent user interface across various devices and browsers.

Integrating Galen with Test Automation Frameworks

Galen can be easily integrated with Selenium, a widely used test automation framework, to enhance the testing of layout and responsive design. By integrating Galen with Selenium, you can leverage Selenium’s capabilities for cross-browser testing while utilizing Galen’s powerful layout validation features. This integration allows you to run Galen’s check commands within a Selenium test script, combining browser automation with layout testing in one seamless workflow. With this setup, you can test your application across different browsers and devices, ensuring that the layout remains consistent and responsive. For example, you can use Selenium WebDriver to navigate through web pages, and then trigger Galen tests to validate the page layout, all within the same automated testing environment. This integration makes it possible to incorporate layout testing into broader test automation pipelines, improving the efficiency and reliability of the overall testing process.