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September 20, 2007
Selenium Core 0.8.3 is available (release notes) - download now

Selenium Core is a test tool for web applications. Selenium Core tests run directly in a browser, just as real users do. And they run in Internet Explorer, Mozilla and Firefox on Windows, Linux, and Macintosh. No other test tool covers such a wide array of platforms.

  • Browser compatibility testing. Test your application to see if it works correctly on different browsers and operating systems. The same script can run on any Selenium platform.
  • System functional testing. Create regression tests to verify application functionality and user acceptance.
Selenium Core uses a unique mechanism which allows it to run on so many platforms. Written in pure JavaScript/DHTML, you copy Selenium Core tests directly into your your application webserver, allowing the tests to run in any supported browser on the client-side. Thus, you must have write access to the machine your web application server is running on to install Selenium Core.

Selenium Core was developed by team of programmers and testers at ThoughtWorks (see below). It is open-source software and can be downloaded and used without charge. It is currently under active development by our team. Stay tuned for updates and further announcements.

ThoughtWorks is a leader in Agile development methods for enterprise software development. Selenium is designed specifically for the acceptance testing requirements of Agile teams. However, teams using more traditional development will also find it useful.

Platform and Browser Compatibility

Supported Platforms:
  • Windows:
    • Internet Explorer 6.0 and 7.0
    • Firefox 0.8 to 2.0
    • Mozilla Suite 1.6+, 1.7+
    • Seamonkey 1.0
    • Opera 8 & 9
  • Mac OS X:
    • Safari 2.0.4+
    • Firefox 0.8 to 2.0
    • Camino 1.0a1
    • Mozilla Suite 1.6+, 1.7+
    • Seamonkey 1.0
    Not yet supported: OmniWeb
  • Linux:
    • Firefox 0.8 to 2.0
    • Mozilla Suite 1.6+, 1.7+
    • Konqueror
    • Opera 8 & 9

How does Selenium Core Work?

Selenium uses JavaScript and Iframes to embed a test automation engine in your browser. This technique should work with any JavaScript-enabled browser. Because different browsers handle JavaScript somewhat differently, we usually have to tweak the engine to support a wide range of browsers on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

Where did Selenium Come From?

Selenium grew out of a testing framework that was developed to acceptance-test the functionality of ThoughtWorks' web-based time & expense reporting application. Javascript Functional Test Runner was written by Jason Huggins, Paul Gross and Jie Tina Wang, in 2004.

Jason started demoing the test tool to various colleagues. Many were excited about its immediate and intuitive visual feedback, as well as its potential to grow as a reusable testing framework for other web applications.

Many ThoughtWorks consultants and a growing number of friends work on Selenium here at OpenQA.org and there are hopes for it to become the multi-language, multi-platform defacto standard replacement for the likes of WinRunner in the web application space.

ThoughtWorks is a leader in Agile development methods for enterprise software development. Selenium was designed specifically for the acceptance testing requirements of Agile teams. However, teams using older 'Waterfall' style methodologies may also find it useful.

Having Trouble?

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.