Steps for implementing a helper class as a single instance within my base page model

Question

Steps for implementing a helper class as a single instance within my base page model

I have been working on creating a calendar picker helper class instance in my base page model to enable all subsequent page models inheriting from the base page to access it.

Below is the code for my helper class:

class CalendarHelper : BasePage
{
    public CalendarHelper(IWebDriver driver) : base(driver)
    {
    }
}

Here is the code snippet for my base page model:

class BasePage
{
    public IWebDriver Driver;
    public CalendarHelper Calendar;
 
    public BasePage(IWebDriver driver)
    {
        Driver = driver;
        Calendar = new CalendarHelper(driver); // This line is causing issue due to continuous loop
    }
}

The main problem lies in the continuous loop created while instantiating Calendar, as it calls the base page again. I am seeking a solution to set up a single instance of Calendar that can be shared among all other page models inheriting from BasePage, while still being able to utilize all the methods within BasePage.

c#selenium-webdriver inheritance

Answer 1

Answer №1

It's important to keep Helpers separate from the BasePage in your project structure. Helpers should serve as a wrapper for page logic, loops, and any other functionalities related to specific pages. For instance, if your application includes a calendar on a page called SomePage, it would be beneficial to create a CalendarComponent specifically for that purpose, and integrate it into your OrderPage.

Consider the following example:

public class SomePage : BasePage
{
    public readonly CalendarComponent CalendarComponent;

    public SomePage(IWebDriver driver) : base(driver)
    {
    }

    //Methods and elements specific to this page...
}

public class CalendarComponent : BaseComponent
{
    public CalendarComponent(IWebDriver driver) : base(driver)
    {
    }

    //Logic pertaining to the calendar component...which can be reused in multiple pages!

    public void TypeCalendarName(string calendarName) => Driver.FindElement(locator).SendKeys(calendarName);
}

public static class CalendarHelper
{
    public static void TypeCalendarNames(CalendarComponent calendarComponent, params string[] calendarNames)
    {
        calendarNames.ToList().ForEach(calendarName => calendarComponent.TypeCalendarName(calendarName) //+ additional logic...
    }
}

And utilizing it within a test scenario:

public class TestClass
{
    [Test]
    public void SetCalendarNames()
    {
        string[] calendarNames = { "firstname", "secondname" };

        var somePage = new SomePage(Driver);

        CalendarHelper.TypeCalendarNames(somePage.CalendarComponent, calendarNames);
    }
}

Answer 2

It's important to keep Helpers separate from the BasePage in your project structure. Helpers should serve as a wrapper for page logic, loops, and any other functionalities related to specific pages. For instance, if your application includes a calendar on a page called SomePage, it would be beneficial to create a CalendarComponent specifically for that purpose, and integrate it into your OrderPage.

Consider the following example:

public class SomePage : BasePage
{
    public readonly CalendarComponent CalendarComponent;

    public SomePage(IWebDriver driver) : base(driver)
    {
    }

    //Methods and elements specific to this page...
}

public class CalendarComponent : BaseComponent
{
    public CalendarComponent(IWebDriver driver) : base(driver)
    {
    }

    //Logic pertaining to the calendar component...which can be reused in multiple pages!

    public void TypeCalendarName(string calendarName) => Driver.FindElement(locator).SendKeys(calendarName);
}

public static class CalendarHelper
{
    public static void TypeCalendarNames(CalendarComponent calendarComponent, params string[] calendarNames)
    {
        calendarNames.ToList().ForEach(calendarName => calendarComponent.TypeCalendarName(calendarName) //+ additional logic...
    }
}

And utilizing it within a test scenario:

public class TestClass
{
    [Test]
    public void SetCalendarNames()
    {
        string[] calendarNames = { "firstname", "secondname" };

        var somePage = new SomePage(Driver);

        CalendarHelper.TypeCalendarNames(somePage.CalendarComponent, calendarNames);
    }
}

Answer 3

Answer №2

There appears to be a circular dependency issue between BasePage and CalendarHelper, which is causing the problem at hand. Here are a few possible solutions:

Resolve the circular dependency. This should be your primary course of action, however, without examining the code within CalendarHelper, it's hard to determine if this approach will effectively solve the issue. Simply refrain from inheriting from BasePage in CalendarHelper.
Initiate CalendarHelper in the relevant page models. This is a common practice. Evaluate the page models that truly require a CalendarHelper, and initiate it in those specific classes. While this may lead to repeated initialization of the object, unless performance concerns arise, it should not be a major issue. The focus here is on creating modular and reusable code rather than avoiding some degree of repetition.
Introduce a static property to BasePage.

This solution is less preferred as it hinders the ability to run tests concurrently. The driver object would be shared among simultaneously running tests, potentially resulting in test failures. The first concrete class calling the BasePage constructor becomes responsible for creating this shared helper object.
```
class BasePage
{
    private static CalendarHelper sharedCalendarHelper;

    public IWebDriver Driver;
    public CalendarHelper Calendar => sharedCalendarHelper;

    public BasePage(IWebDriver driver)
    {
        Driver = driver;
        sharedCalendarHelper ||= new CalendarHelper(driver);
    }
}
```

Answer 4

There appears to be a circular dependency issue between BasePage and CalendarHelper, which is causing the problem at hand. Here are a few possible solutions:

Resolve the circular dependency. This should be your primary course of action, however, without examining the code within CalendarHelper, it's hard to determine if this approach will effectively solve the issue. Simply refrain from inheriting from BasePage in CalendarHelper.
Initiate CalendarHelper in the relevant page models. This is a common practice. Evaluate the page models that truly require a CalendarHelper, and initiate it in those specific classes. While this may lead to repeated initialization of the object, unless performance concerns arise, it should not be a major issue. The focus here is on creating modular and reusable code rather than avoiding some degree of repetition.
Introduce a static property to BasePage.

This solution is less preferred as it hinders the ability to run tests concurrently. The driver object would be shared among simultaneously running tests, potentially resulting in test failures. The first concrete class calling the BasePage constructor becomes responsible for creating this shared helper object.
```
class BasePage
{
    private static CalendarHelper sharedCalendarHelper;

    public IWebDriver Driver;
    public CalendarHelper Calendar => sharedCalendarHelper;

    public BasePage(IWebDriver driver)
    {
        Driver = driver;
        sharedCalendarHelper ||= new CalendarHelper(driver);
    }
}
```

Steps for implementing a helper class as a single instance within my base page model

Answer №1

Answer №2

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