Overcoming Challenges in Automating Multiple Apps with Appium

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Unexpected Challenge
3. Understanding the Appium Update
4. The Need for App Capabilities
5. Automating Multiple Apps
6. Introducing a New Solution
7. Updates in Instagram Actions Script
8. Dealing with Errors
9. Recovering from Disruptions
10. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we'll be discussing a recent challenge encountered while working with Appium. We'll explore the issues caused by a driver update and the need for new app capabilities. Additionally, we'll discuss a new solution that will make automating via multiple apps much easier. So, let's dive in!

The Unexpected Challenge

Life often throws unexpected challenges our way, and in the realm of software development, it's no different. Late last night, while working on some updated features, I encountered an unforeseen problem. As I attempted to run the script using my usual method, I realized that due to an Appium driver update, it was no longer a viable solution. This forced me to pivot and find an alternative approach.

Understanding the Appium Update

To understand the challenge at HAND, let's take a moment to discuss the recent update in the Appium driver. When connecting to the Appium server, it now requires the sending of app capabilities or desired capabilities. Previously, it was sufficient to pass the platform name, device name, and automation name. However, after the update, a new problem arose - the requirement to send an app capability. This posed a difficulty when attempting to automate multiple apps, as it led to the instantiation of a new session inside each app, rendering the use of Appium ineffective.

The Need for App Capabilities

With the introduction of app capabilities as a prerequisite for automation, a new obstacle presented itself. Automating multiple apps became a challenge due to the need to pass a single app, resulting in the instantiation of a new session within each app. This limitation significantly hindered the efficiency and effectiveness of utilizing Appium.

Pros:

• Improved security by enforcing the use of app capabilities
• Ensured a more streamlined automation process when working with a single app

Cons:

• Hindered the automation of multiple apps
• Increased complexity and reduced flexibility in the automation workflow

Automating Multiple Apps

The inability to automate multiple apps efficiently demanded the search for a better solution. After hours of rigorous Googling and a bit of reverse engineering, I stumbled upon a similar inspector tool. This discovery has now prompted me to set up my own server that aligns with my specific automation requirements. This newfound method will bring considerable ease to the process of automating multiple apps.

Introducing a New Solution

The development of a new solution serves as a blessing in disguise. Although the initial difficulties seemed frustrating, they ultimately led to the discovery of a more efficient approach. As I delve into this new method, automating via multiple apps will become significantly easier. As the program evolves, I'll continue to update and refine everything to maximize its potential.

Updates in Instagram Actions Script

Moving on to the updates within the Instagram Actions script, let's take a look at the main section that received attention. The addition of the "Capture Comments" method in the Instagram Actions class allows us to open the Instagram feed and retrieve the total number of comments. This information is crucial as it allows us to select a random number of comments to like, ensuring that we avoid the tedious task of liking thousands of comments. Furthermore, the criteria for selecting comments have been expanded, but for a detailed explanation, I'll save that for another video.

Dealing with Errors

In any software development project, dealing with errors is an inevitable part of the process. With the recent script updates, I dedicated a significant portion of my time to handling and resolving errors. Implementing robust error handling mechanisms ensures that our automation remains stable and reliable.

Recovering from Disruptions

One particular disruption I encountered was accidentally pushing the reply button, which led to a change in the screen and subsequently resulted in errors during automation. To overcome this disruption, I implemented a recovery mechanism to bring the automation back on track. By promptly identifying and rectifying disruptions, we can maintain the smooth execution of our automation processes.

Conclusion

Although the recent Appium driver update presented unexpected challenges, it ultimately led to the discovery of a more efficient solution. The introduction of app capabilities, while posing obstacles to automating multiple apps, pushed us to explore alternative methods. The newfound solution, along with the updates made to the Instagram Actions script, promises a more streamlined and effective automation process. By embracing and overcoming challenges, we can continue to enhance our automation capabilities.

Highlights

• The Appium driver update posed challenges for automating multiple apps.
• The requirement of app capabilities added complexity to the automation workflow.
• A new solution utilizing a custom server promises improved automation processes.
• Updates in the Instagram Actions script enhance comment capturing and error handling.
• The ability to recover from disruptions ensures stable and reliable automation.

FAQ

Q: What was the main challenge caused by the Appium driver update? A: The main challenge was the requirement to send app capabilities, which hindered the automation of multiple apps.

Q: How did the new solution improve automating via multiple apps? A: The new solution involved setting up a custom server, allowing for a more streamlined and efficient automation process.

Q: What updates were made to the Instagram Actions script? A: The updates included the addition of the "Capture Comments" method and robust error handling mechanisms.

Q: How was the issue of disruptive screen changes addressed? A: A recovery mechanism was implemented to recover from disruptions caused by accidental screen changes.

Q: What are the benefits of the new solution and updates? A: The new solution simplifies the automation of multiple apps, while the script updates enhance comment capturing and error handling.