a
Introduction
a is a Flow Element that tells Flowstride to search specifically for HTML anchor (<a>) elements.
It provides an explicit way to target anchor tags while taking advantage of Flowstride's heuristic locator engine.
Why Use the a Element?
Most navigation on the web is implemented using HTML anchor elements.
Using the a element makes your intent explicit when you know the control you want to interact with is an anchor tag.
For example:
flow.click a "Forgot Password";This clearly communicates that the target is expected to be an anchor element.
How Flowstride Finds Anchor Elements
When you specify the a element, Flowstride searches for HTML anchor (<a>) elements using its heuristic locator engine.
Like every Flow Element, it also participates in Flowstride's ambiguity resolution and spatial locator system.
Syntax
Click an anchor
flow.click a "Forgot Password";Hover over an anchor
flow.hover a "Documentation";Verify an anchor is visible
flow.expect visible a "Home";Examples
Open the Forgot Password page
Feature: User Authentication
Scenario: Open the password recovery page
When "Click the Forgot Password anchor"
flow.click a "Forgot Password";
Then "The recovery page loads"
flow.expect visible "Reset Password";Combine with a Spatial Selector
Feature: Footer Navigation
Scenario: Open the privacy policy
When "Click the Privacy Policy anchor"
flow.click a "Privacy Policy" under "Legal";
Then "The Privacy Policy page loads"
flow.expect visible "Privacy Policy";When to Use the a Element
Use a when you specifically want to target an HTML anchor element.
Typical examples include:
- Navigation links
- Footer links
- Breadcrumbs
- Documentation links
- Help links
Important Notes
HTML anchor targeting
The a element represents HTML anchor (<a>) elements within Flowstride's locator engine.
Spatial selectors are supported
The a element works with Flowstride's spatial selectors.
For example:
flow.click a "Privacy Policy" under "Legal";
flow.click a "Home" near "Logo";Reduces ambiguity
Specifying a narrows the search and can help distinguish anchor elements from other controls with the same visible text.
Common Mistakes
Use the appropriate element
If the control is implemented as a button rather than an anchor, use the button element instead.
Use spatial selectors when necessary
If multiple anchors share the same text, combine a with a spatial selector or an index.
For example:
flow.click a "Read More" under "Latest News";
flow.click a "View Details [1]";