2 Test Automation Talks: Embracing WebDriver Bidi & Mastering Debugging

Two talks in one evening! This event is once again organized by deTesters, TestCoders, and TechChamps - three specialized test automation companies. It will be held at our office in the Werkspoorkathedraal in Utrecht.
But these are not just any two talks. This time, we are treating you to an evening full of open-source software. We have presentations from Christian Bromann, Core Contributor of WebdriverIO and an Open Source & Open Standards Advocate, and Erwin Heitzman, Sr. Test Automation Engineer at deTesters and Technical Steering Committee Member & Core Contributor of WebdriverIO.

Talk 1: Beyond User Actions: Embracing WebDriver Bidi for Next-Gen Browser Automation with WebdriverIO - Christian Bromann
Two decades ago, the realm of browser automation was founded on a simple yet powerful premise: replicate every possible user interaction. However, as the frontend landscape evolved, with browsers gaining more control and sophisticated execution abilities, it became clear that mimicking user actions was just the tip of the iceberg. The real challenge lies in uncovering the underlying issues that hinder application performance, leading to a paradigm shift in automation strategies.
Enter WebDriver Bidi, the groundbreaking standard reshaping the future of browser automation. This new protocol has become a beacon for tools traditionally tethered to older standards, now transitioning to harness the expansive capabilities provided by modern browser vendors. This has unlocked a new horizon of cross-browser automation possibilities, transforming the way developers interact with web applications.
In this presentation, Christian Bromann, a core maintainer of WebdriverIO, delves into the transformative journey of WebdriverIO as it integrates the WebDriver Bidi standard. He will unveil the forthcoming changes for users, the enhanced capabilities on the horizon, and the impact of these advancements on the automation landscape. Attendees will gain insights into how WebDriver Bidi is set to revolutionize browser automation, simplifying workflows for framework maintainers and end-users alike, and setting a new benchmark for the industry's future.

Talk 2: Mastering debugging: strategies for the technical tester - Erwin Heitzman
Debugging can be a huge challenge, even for the most experienced technical testers. In this presentation, Erwin will share his insights and strategies for tackling bugs in test code and even browsers/drivers like Chrome and ChromeDriver.
Learn how to approach debugging systematically, using a mix of logic, intuition, and experience. This talk will provide you with the necessary skills to not only identify and resolve bugs efficiently but also to understand their root causes, enhancing your overall testing expertise.

Christian Bromann:
Christian Bromann is a Senior Software Engineer at OutSystems, working with the Stencil team. He's well known for his role as a W3C Invited Expert, the main contributor/owner of WebdriverIO, and as a representative of WebdriverIO in the OpenJS Foundation's Cross Project Council.
His career spans key positions at Stateful and Sauce Labs, where he played a crucial role in shaping browser automation standards. He's a passionate advocate for open source and open standards, and actively seeks collaboration on his various projects, which are showcased on his GitHub profile

Erwin Heitzman
Erwin has gained experience with WebdriverIO through various projects since 2015. As of 2017 he has been actively involved in the development of WebdriverIO and is now a maintainer of the project, helping it's users by reviewing issues and pull requests, making code contributions like new features and fixing issues. He also helps the community by answering questions in the community chat and GitHub discussions and giving advice based on his knowledge and experience as a test automation engineer, software engineer and his experience with WebdriverIO.

Target audience for this workshop:

• Testers with a technical background and an interest in/experience with test automation
• This evening will be entirely in English

Program

• 17:30 Reception and dinner
• 18:30 Short introduction/kickoff
• 19:00 Start of talk 1: Beyond User Actions: Embracing WebDriver Bidi for Next-Gen Browser Automation with WebdriverIO - Christian Bromann
• 19:45 break
• 20:00 Start of talk 2: Mastering debugging: strategies for the technical tester - Erwin Heitzman
• 21:15 Closing followed by drinks