Why can't I reuse WebElement object instances in Java?

Question

I'm new to selenium webdriver, and I am working on testing a form using java and I encounter an issue of not being able to reuse instances of WebElement

WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.name("number"));
element.sendKeys("4");

// submit form this clears the element text box

element.sendKeys("7");  // this won't type 7 in the box?

But this works:

WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.name("number"));
element.sendKeys("4");

// submit form this clears the element text box

WebElement element2 = driver.findElement(By.name("number"));
element2.sendKeys("7");

Doesn't seem to make sense to have to instantiate another webelement object. Please give me insight, thanks.

What happens in the first case? What exception do you get? – Arnon Axelrod Apr 23 '18 at 17:01 — Arnon Axelrod, Apr 23 '18 at 17:01

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 22 '18 at 19:15

When you submit form which inturn clears the element text box essentially means the HTML DOM have refreshed and possibly either/all of the actions have happened :

Some new elements have been added to the DOM.
Some old elements are no more present in the DOM.
Some DOM element's attributes may have changed.
Inshort the HTML DOM have changed.

In this cases if you try to do :

WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.name("number"));
element.sendKeys("4");
// submit form this clears the element text box
element.sendKeys("7");

Selenium will complain about StaleElementReferenceException

Hence the solution is to search the desired element again afresh and then invoke the sendKeys() method as follows :

WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.name("number"));
element.sendKeys("4");
// submit form this clears the element text box
WebElement element2 = driver.findElement(By.name("number"));
element2.sendKeys("7");

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 23 '18 at 06:53

0

You can try Page Factory concept in Page Object Model. Refer: http://toolsqa.com/selenium-webdriver/page-object-pattern-model-page-factory/

answered Apr 23 '18 at 06:53

Shiva Krishna Chippa

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 23 '18 at 08:11

try this code :

WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.name("number"));  
element.sendKeys("4");  

// submit form this clears the element text box  

driver.navigate().refresh();  
(new WebDriverWait(driver,10)).until(ExpectedConditions.elementToBeClickable(By.name("number")));

element.sendKeys("7");

Why can't I reuse WebElement object instances in Java?

3 Answers3