Laravel Dusk Complete Guide: A Comprehensive Tutorial for Automated Testing

Updated: Feb 16, 2023

What is Laravel Dusk?

Laravel Dusk is a testing framework created by Laravel that provides a simple, elegant, and expressive syntax for writing automated tests. Laravel Dusk allows developers to write tests that simulate user actions, such as clicking links and filling out forms, making it easier to catch and fix bugs before they reach production. Laravel Dusk uses the Chrome browser for its testing and also supports headless testing.

Laravel Dusk

Laravel Dusk

Why Use Laravel Dusk?

While it's important to focus on Laravel Dusk in this article, it's still possible to touch on other related topics that may be of interest to readers.

For example, Laravel Breeze and Laravel Cashier are both packages that can be used with Laravel to simplify the development of web applications.

Laravel Dusk provides many benefits over traditional manual testing, such as:

Time savings: Automated testing is faster than manual testing and can test a large number of scenarios quickly, making it easier to catch bugs early.

Reliability: Automated tests reduce the chance of human error in testing, making it more reliable.

Scalability: Automated testing can be easily scaled up or down as per the project requirements.

Reusability: Once written, automated tests can be run repeatedly, saving time and effort in future testing.

Increased test coverage: Automated tests can test multiple scenarios and edge cases that are often overlooked in manual testing.

Getting Started with Laravel Dusk

Requirements

To use Laravel Dusk, you will need the following:

  1. PHP 7.1 or higher
  2. Laravel 5.4 or higher
  3. Chrome browser

Installing Laravel Dusk

To install Laravel Dusk, run the following command:

composer require --dev laravel/dusk

Configuring Laravel Dusk

Laravel Dusk requires configuration before it can be used. To configure Laravel Dusk, run the following command

php artisan dusk:install

This command will generate a DuskServiceProvider class in the app/Providers directory and a Browser directory in the tests directory.

Laravel Dusk Syntax and Structure

Writing Tests in Laravel Dusk

Tests in Laravel Dusk are written in PHP, but the syntax and structure are easy to understand. Tests are defined in methods that begin with the test keyword, and each test must include a Browser instance. The Browser instance interacts with the website by simulating user actions, such as clicking links and filling out forms. Laravel Dusk supports several methods that make it easy to interact with elements, making it easier to write tests.

Basic Laravel Dusk Syntax

Here is an example of a basic test in Laravel Dusk:

public function testBasicExample()
{
    $this->browse(function (Browser $browser) {
        $browser->visit('/')
                ->assertSee('Laravel');
    });
}

This test visits the website root and checks if the word "Laravel" is visible on the page. Laravel Dusk provides many assertion methods to make it easier to write tests. In the above example, we used the assertSee method to check if the word "Laravel" is visible on the page.

what is laravel dusk

what is laravel dusk

Advanced Laravel Dusk Features

Interacting with Elements

Laravel Dusk provides several methods to interact with elements, such as clicking links and filling out forms. Here is an example of filling out a form in Laravel Dusk:

public function testExample()
{
    $this->browse(function (Browser $browser) {
        $browser->visit('/login')
                ->type('email', '[email protected]')
                ->type('password', 'password')
                ->press('Login')
                ->assertPathIs('/dashboard');
    });
}

In this example, we visit the login page, fill out the email and password fields, and press the login button. After the login is successful, we assert that we are on the dashboard page. Laravel supports the use of multiple databases, which can be useful for applications that require more complex data storage.

Multiple Browser Testing

Laravel Dusk supports testing in multiple browsers, which can be helpful in ensuring cross-browser compatibility. Here is an example of testing in two browsers:

public function testMultipleBrowsers()
{
    $this->browse(function (Browser $first, Browser $second) {
        $first->visit('/')
              ->assertSee('Welcome');
        $second->visit('/')
               ->assertDontSee('Welcome');
    });
}

In this example, we are testing the same page in two different browsers. The first browser should see the word "Welcome," while the second browser should not.

Writing Assertions

Laravel Dusk provides several assertion methods that make it easy to test the behavior of the website. Here are some examples:

assertPathIs($path): Assert that the current URL path matches $path.

assertTitle($title): Assert that the current page title matches $title.

assertVisible($selector): Assert that the element with the given $selector is visible on the page.

assertSee($text): Assert that the given $text is visible on the page.

Best Practices for Laravel Dusk

To get the most out of Laravel Dusk, it is essential to follow these best practices:

Keep tests small and focused: Write tests that test one thing at a time, making it easier to identify and fix bugs.

Use descriptive method names: Use descriptive method names that clearly explain what the test is doing.

Use variables: Use variables to make tests more readable and easier to understand.

Avoid relying on state: Tests should be independent and not rely on any previous state. Avoid relying on previous tests to set up the environment.

Use comments: Use comments to explain what the test is doing and why it is doing it. This will make it easier for others to understand and maintain the test.

Use assertion messages: Use assertion messages to provide more information when a test fails. This will make it easier to identify and fix the problem.

Run tests in isolation: Run tests in isolation to ensure that each test is independent and does not rely on any other tests.

Use Git: Use Git to manage your tests, making it easy to revert changes and collaborate with other developers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Laravel Dusk is a powerful tool for testing web applications built on the Laravel framework. It provides an easy-to-use syntax for interacting with web pages, making it easier to write tests. Laravel Dusk also supports testing in multiple browsers, making it easier to ensure cross-browser compatibility. By following best practices and writing small, focused tests, you can ensure that your web application is robust and reliable. With Laravel Dusk, you can automate your tests, allowing you to focus on building and improving your web application.

FAQs:

Q1. What is Laravel Dusk?

A1. Laravel Dusk is a browser automation and testing tool for Laravel applications. It allows developers to write automated tests in PHP, using a syntax that is easy to understand.

Q2. What are some of the benefits of using Laravel Dusk?

A2. Laravel Dusk makes it easy to write automated tests for web applications. It provides an easy-to-use syntax for interacting with web pages, making it easier to write tests. Laravel Dusk also supports testing in multiple browsers, making it easier to ensure cross-browser compatibility.

Q3. How does Laravel Dusk work?

A3. Laravel Dusk uses the ChromeDriver browser driver to interact with web pages. It provides an easy-to-use syntax for interacting with web pages, making it easier to write tests.

Q4. Can Laravel Dusk be used for testing mobile applications?

A4. No, Laravel Dusk is designed for testing web applications built on the Laravel framework.

Q5. How do I install Laravel Dusk?

A5. Laravel Dusk can be installed using the following command:

php artisan dusk:install

This command will generate a DuskServiceProvider class in the app/Providers directory and a Browser directory in the tests directory.