Why do Selenium Python tests look so weird?

Question

I've used the Selenium IDE to generate some test code for my application. The generated Python code for an assertion looks like this.

    try: self.failUnless(sel.is_text_present("Path"))
    except AssertionError, e: self.verificationErrors.append(str(e))

Instead of failing fast, the error is added to a list, and the script continues.

I was wondering what the rationale for this is? Isn't it better to fail fast? Or would this leave the page in an inconsistent state?

Answer 1

This is the difference between a verify and an assert in Selenium. When using verify any failures will be logged but the test will continue, they are in effect a 'soft assertion'. If you want to stop executing your test on a failure try using assert instead.

//verifyTextPresent
try: self.failUnless(sel.is_text_present("My Text"))
except AssertionError, e: self.verificationErrors.append(str(e))

//assertTextPresent
self.failUnless(sel.is_text_present("My Text"))