[FIXED] using X-PATH over other options

Issue

Why should I use functions to find elements, like find_elements_by_id or find_elements_by_class, when I can easily do that with find_elements_by_xpath?

(I know that in Selenium 4.0 we don't use these functions anymore, instead we use find_element(By.CLASS_NAME, "class")) but still, can someone explain it to me, I would very appreciate any advice)

Solution

The "Class name" and "ID" of the elements don't often change to a different name. If you search for elements with xpath, it can change for example with every new section added to the page.

Example before a new section gets added:

find_element(By.CLASS_NAME, "class"))
find_element(By.ID, "id"))
find_element(By.XPATH, "div/div"))

Example after a new section gets added:

find_element(By.CLASS_NAME, "class"))
find_element(By.ID, "id"))
find_element(By.XPATH, "div/div/div/a"))

Result: If you were finding elements with xpath, you'll have to change all the xpaths now. The class name and Id stayed the same.

A way more effective way is if you write your own xpath.

Example:

//a[contains(@class,'something')]

How? -> https://www.guru99.com/xpath-selenium.html

Answered By - Tadej Blatnik