Difference between WebDriver click() and JavaScript click()

WebDriver offers a collection of APIs that can be used to communicate with web components, mimic user activities, and gather data from online pages. This article focuses on discussing the difference between WebDriver click() and JavaScript click().

WebDriver click() Method

A web element can be clicked on to imitate a mouse click using the WebDriver click() method. It is the most typical method of utilizing WebDriver to click on components in a web browser. We must first build a WebDriver instance in Java before you can use click() on the WebDriver. One of the WebDriver factory classes, such as Chrome Driver or Firefox Driver, can be used for this.

• Interacting with Browser: WebDriver click() allows for automatic interactions with the web page by managing the browser via the WebDriver object.
• Cross-browser Compatibility: Selenium WebDriver’s built-in cross-browser testing features allow for uniform behaviour across many browsers (such as Chrome and Firefox) thanks to the click() function in WebDriver.
• Synchronization: By waiting for the element to become clickable before performing the click operation, WebDriver click() handles synchronization automatically and makes sure the element is in a clickable state.
• Event Simulation: By invoking the necessary events, such as mousedown, mouseup, and click on the target element, WebDriver click() replicates an actual user click.
• Handling Asynchronous Behaviour: Asynchronous behaviour is efficiently managed by WebDriver click(), which also makes sure that the element is prepared and clickable before starting the click action.

Below is the Java program to implement WebDriver click() method:

Java

// Java program to implement
// WebDriver click() method
import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;

public class WebDriverClick {
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver",
                           "/path/to/chromedriver");
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
        driver.get("https://www.google.com");
        WebElement searchBar
            = driver.findElement(By.id("searchbox"));
        searchBar.click();
    }
}

How it Works?

Through interactions with the browser’s native features, WebDriver finds the element and triggers the click event.

When to Use It?

When you want to mimic an actual user interaction and make sure that the click causes all related browser behaviour’s, utilise this technique.

Different Methods\

• Click and hold: To mimic a click and hold on a web element, use the WebDriver clickAndHold() method. When dragging and dropping objects or using context menus, this can be helpful.
• Double click: To simulate a double click on a web element, use the WebDriver doubleClick() method. This can be helpful for expanding menus or accessing links in new tabs.
• Right click: To mimic a right click on a web element, use the WebDriver contextClick() method. Opening context menus or carrying out other tasks that are only possible through the right-click menu can be accomplished using this.

Benefits

1. Accurately mimics the behaviour of real users.
2. Use the built-in interactions of the browser.

Limitations

Due to browser-specific behaviour, it might not function consistently across different browsers.

JavaScript Click() Method

Using JavaScript, the click() method can mimic a mouse click on a web element. Although it is less used than WebDriver click(), it can be useful in certain situations, such as when we need to click on an element that the user cannot see. Getting the JavaScript object for the web element we want to click is the first step when using JavaScript click(). Use the executeScript() method to do this. You can use the click() method on the web element’s JavaScript object once you have it. As a result, the element will appear to be clicked on the mouse.

• Execution in the Browser: JavaScript’s click() method interacts with the webpage’s Document Object Model (DOM) directly within the browser environment.
• Cross-browser Compatibility: Developers must provide uniform behaviour and handling for all target browsers because JavaScript’s click() function may behave differently in various browsers.
• Synchronization: Click() in JavaScript does not by default manage synchronisation. If necessary, developers must manually manage synchronization to make sure the element is prepared for interaction.
• Event Simulation: The click event for the specified element is triggered by the JavaScript function click(), simulating a user-initiated click event.
• Handling Asynchronous Behaviour: JavaScript’s click() method is synchronous, therefore programmers must explicitly manage any asynchronous behaviour, such as waiting until an element is available or usable before invoking it.

Below is the Java program to implement JavaScript click() method:

Java

// Java program to implement
// JavaScript click() method
import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.JavascriptExecutor;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;

public class JavaScriptClickExample {
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver",
                           "/path/to/chromedriver");
        WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
        driver.get("https://www.google.com");

        JavascriptExecutor js = (JavascriptExecutor)driver;
        WebElement searchBar = (WebElement)js.executeScript(
            "return document.querySelector('#searchbox')");
        js.executeScript("searchBar.click()");
    }
}

How it Works?

Bypassing the natural interactions of the browser, this method uses JavaScript to directly initiate the click event on the DOM element.

When to Use It?

Use this when you need to override the browser’s built-in interactions and programmatically initiate a click event.

Benefits

1. Can cause events even in the absence of user engagement.
2. Useful for triggering actions programmatically.

Limitations

JavaScript click() Bypasses default browser interactions and may leave out related behaviours.

WebDriver click() vs JavaScript click()

Parameter	WebDriver click()	JavaScript click()
Execution Context	Native browser interaction	JavaScript execution directly on the DOM
Mimics User Behaviour	Yes	No (automated triggering)
Browser Dependencies	Depending on how the browser implements click behaviour.	Avoids browser-specific actions.
Usability	For simulating actual user interactions	Suitable for automatic triggering without user input
Reliability	More reliable	Less reliable
Speed	Faster	Slower
Ease of use	Easier to use.	More difficult to use.

Conclusion

The use case determines which click() function to use. The best option for simulating actual user events is WebDriver click(). On the other hand, JavaScript’s click() technique is the way to go if you wish to automate events or avoid native interactions. Effective automation and interaction with web elements, especially in the context of Java, depends on knowing their peculiarities and selecting the best approach for your situation.