5 April 2024 Leave a comment Tech-Help
When automating mobile applications using Appium with Java, developers may encounter an error stating “Cannot instantiate the type AppiumDriver.” This article provides a guide to resolving this issue, enabling you to proceed with your mobile automation testing.
Understanding the Problem
The error in question typically arises when trying to instantiate an AppiumDriver object. The root cause of this error is often a misunderstanding of the Appium library’s architecture and its use within test scripts.
Here’s an example of the problematic code:
public class SampleApp {
WebDriver dr;
@Test
public void testApp() throws MalformedURLException, InterruptedException {
// ... capabilities setup ...
dr = new AppiumDriver(new URL("http://127.0.0.1:4723/wd/hub"), capabilities);
// ... further code ...
}
}The Solution
To resolve this error, it’s important to understand that, as of Java Client version 2.0.0, AppiumDriver is an abstract class. This means you cannot directly instantiate AppiumDriver; instead, you should use one of its concrete subclasses, such as AndroidDriver or IOSDriver, depending on your target mobile platform.
Here is the corrected version of the code:
public class SampleApp {
WebDriver dr;
@Test
public void testApp() throws MalformedURLException, InterruptedException {
// ... capabilities setup ...
dr = new AndroidDriver(new URL("http://127.0.0.1:4723/wd/hub"), capabilities);
// ... further code ...
}
}By changing the instantiation to AndroidDriver (or IOSDriver if testing on iOS), the error will be resolved, and you can continue developing your test script.
Additional Tips
- Ensure that you have the correct imports in your test script:
import io.appium.java_client.AppiumDriver;
import io.appium.java_client.android.AndroidDriver;Conclusion
Understanding the architecture and proper use of the Appium library is crucial for successful mobile application automation. By using the correct driver subclass and ensuring your environment is properly configured, you can overcome instantiation issues and focus on creating effective automated tests for your mobile applications.
