Maintaining compatibility across many browsers is crucial for providing a seamless user experience, especially as online applications get more complex. It seems that the developer’s approach to browser testing in virtual environments is being revolutionized by Microsoft Edge Online. With the ease of managing physical devices or installations, Microsoft Edge offers developers a powerful platform to test their apps in a variety of configurations. Teams can easily replicate different operating systems and access different versions of this browser by utilizing cloud-based technology.
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of efficient browser testing; it improves overall performance and user satisfaction in addition to assisting in the identification and resolution of compatibility issues. In an environment where users visit websites using a variety of devices and browsers, thorough testing is essential to preserving a competitive edge.
With an emphasis on Microsoft Edge Online’s salient features, advantages, and recommended procedures, this tutorial seeks to streamline the browser testing process. Knowing how to use Edge Online efficiently can help it test web-based applications more quickly and more successfully, regardless of the experience level as a developer or if one is new to the field of browser testing.
Overview of Microsoft Edge Online
Microsoft’s flagship browser is a cross-platform version that is pre-installed and set as the default browser on machines running Windows. It was created with Microsoft’s in-house EdgeHTML browser engine and their Chakra JavaScript engine. It was formerly known as Microsoft Edge Legacy. However, its Android and iOS versions were released in 2017 after its initial release in 2015 along with Windows 10 and Xbox One.
The old Microsoft Edge was superseded by the new one, which has a ‘wave’ emblem. It works seamlessly with all Windows 11 and later operating systems. Users may use the Cortana voice assistant to do voice searches and easily store information on OneDrive, among other things.
Features of Microsoft Edge Online
Microsoft Edge Online offers various features to streamline browser testing in a virtual environment. They are:
- Any version of iOS, MacOS, Android, or Windows can use it. Any of these devices can be used to access and sync the data, allowing it to be used anywhere.
- The collections feature allows users to save and organize web pages, images, and text visually, useful for research and project management. Users can export their collections directly into Microsoft Excel or Word for further analysis or documentation.
- Vertical tabs help users manage many open tabs more efficiently, particularly on widescreens, by displaying tabs in a vertical layout on the side of the screen instead of the top.
- Based on the Chromium engine, this browser has an extremely user-friendly interface. Better performance and speed are made possible when a user requests output thanks to chromium engines. Numerous well-known browsers, including Brave, Google Chrome, and Opera, are built with it; it is open source. It is therefore reliable and optimized for a browser.
- Edge’s interface offers many modes, such as dark mode, that enable users to see pages effectively in low-light conditions.
- Microsoft offers a voice-activated virtual assistant to assist users with their inquiries. Its capabilities include making a to-do list with a single voice command, accessing a calendar, and setting an alarm or timer.
- Important websites can be bookmarked so that users can return to them later. In Edge, the websites that have been bookmarked are called favorites. In the browser, they are accessible beneath the search button.
Advantages of Microsoft Edge Online
The following benefits of using Microsoft Edge Online to expedite browser testing in a virtual environment are outlined:
Cross-Platform compatibility: Edge functions effectively on a variety of Windows, macOS, and mobile operating systems. Because of this consistency, testers may assess websites without any problems across different platforms.
Based on Chromium: Edge supports a large number of web standards because it runs on the same engine as Google Chrome. This makes testing easier because if something functions on Edge, it probably will work on other Chromium-based browsers as well.
Integrated developer capabilities: Debugging and performance analysis are made easier with Edge’s robust set of built-in capabilities. Within the browser, testers can examine items, track network activity, and verify performance data.
Cloud-Based Virtualization: Edge is compatible with virtual environments, so testers don’t have to install it on every computer to utilize it. Time and resources are saved by doing this, especially in large teams.
Features for accessibility testing: Edge comes with tools for detecting accessibility problems. This contributes to making web applications accessible to individuals with impairments, which is crucial for user experience and compliance.
Enhanced Compatibility: As Microsoft Edge is built on the Chromium engine, it is highly compatible with the majority of web applications and websites. It combines the compatibility benefits of Chrome with Microsoft’s own unique features and security enhancements.
Improved Accessibility: Text-to-speech support and configurable reading options are among the features that increase accessibility, such as the immersive reader mode and read-aloud tools. This can be helpful for people who are blind or who would rather hear information.
Web Capture and Annotation Tools: The web capture tool lets users take full-page or partial screenshots, annotate them, and save them for future reference, simplifying research and collaboration tasks.
Challenges faced by Microsoft Edge Online in streamlining browser testing in a virtual environment
Microsoft Edge Online encountered the following difficulties to expedite browser testing in a virtual environment:
Compatibility issues: Even though Edge is based on Chromium, some online apps might still act differently on Edge than they do on other browsers. Test results may differ as a result of this.
Performance Limitations: Using Edge in a virtual environment may occasionally result in a slower virtual computer, particularly if its resources are constrained. This may have an impact on the browser’s responsiveness and test speed.
Highly Resource-Intensive: Edge can use a lot of resources, just like other contemporary browsers. When several browsers are open at once in a virtual environment, system resources can be strained and performance may suffer.
Network Latency: When conducting virtual environment testing, particularly when using cloud-based testing, network latency may be introduced. Because response times could be longer than in a local setting, this could have an impact on how accurate performance testing is.
Restricted Integration with Outdated Systems: With Edge, some older web apps or systems might not work as well as they could. If testers use outdated technologies, they may have trouble accessing these applications.
User Interface Differences: When testing, it may be confusing how Edge’s user interface differs from that of other browsers. Testers must adjust to various tool positions and layouts.
Extension Compatibility: Although Edge is compatible with Chrome extensions, not every extension may function flawlessly. This can reduce the capability available to testers whose processes depend on particular tools.
Strategies to streamline browser testing in a virtual environment
The following are some practical methods for streamlining browser testing in a virtual setting:
Make use of virtualization tools: To establish isolated environments for testing, use programs like VMware or VirtualBox. This makes it simple to reproduce various browser setups and operating systems.
Utilize cloud-based testing services: For development teams, there are several benefits to using browser testing services provided by cloud-based testing providers in a virtual environment. Enabling thorough cross-browser testing, these services offer access to a wide range of browsers and operating systems without requiring substantial local configurations. To access various browsers including Internet Explorer Online and operating systems in the cloud, use services like LambdaTest. This makes it possible to scale easily and does away with the requirement for complex local installations.
LambdaTest is an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform. Its cloud-based infrastructure allows testers to validate test codes on more than 3000 real devices, browsers, and operating systems online. Developers can easily conduct automated and live interactive tests across a wide range of real environments without the need for complicated local configurations by utilizing this platform.
Because of the platform’s easy automation and seamless integration with well-known continuous integration and continuous development technologies, developers can run tests in parallel across several environments and respond to code changes. Teams can work together more effectively and efficiently when they have instant access to screenshots and thorough test reports, which help them find and fix problems more rapidly.
Automate testing procedures: To execute tests consistently across several browsers, use automated testing frameworks such as Cypress or Selenium. This expedites the testing cycle while decreasing manual labor.
Make use of pipelines for continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD): To guarantee that tests are executed each time code is updated, incorporate automated testing into continuous integration and continuous deployment workflows. This aids in identifying problems early on in the development process.
Create specific testing environments: Set uniform browser versions, customizations, and extensions in the virtual environments for testing. This reduces variability and facilitates the comparison of results.
Implement responsive design testing: Use tools that let developers test how apps react to various screen sizes and orientations to implement responsive design testing. To guarantee a positive user experience on mobile devices, this is essential.
Make use of the browser developer tools: Use the browser’s built-in developer tools for accessibility testing, performance monitoring, and real-time debugging. These tools can assist in promptly identifying problems.
Incorporate Visual Regression Testing: Developers use tools like Percy, or Applitools to detect visual changes in the browser. This ensures that UI updates or changes don’t unintentionally affect the user experience across different browsers.
Network Throttling and Device Simulation: Testers simulate network conditions and use device emulators to test how applications perform at different speeds or on various devices. Several tools offer network throttling and device simulation options.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Microsoft Edge Online presents a robust platform for streamlining browser testing in a virtual environment. By leveraging modern tools such as cloud-based testing platforms and automation frameworks like Selenium or Puppeteer, teams can efficiently test across various environments without the overhead of maintaining physical infrastructure. Integrating parallel testing, continuous integration pipelines, and containerization further enhances scalability and speed, ensuring faster feedback loops.
With additional features like visual regression testing, network throttling, and responsive testing for different viewports, organizations can achieve comprehensive and reliable cross-browser testing. These strategies not only optimize time and resources but also help ensure a seamless user experience across diverse devices and browsers.
