> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://gyansetu-selenium.gitbook.io/selenium-testing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://gyansetu-selenium.gitbook.io/selenium-testing/what-is-selenium-webdriver.md). # What is selenium WebDriver? WebDriver in selenium is an Interface and it is designed to overcome some limitations of selenium RC.\ Selenium WebDriver is also known as Selenium 2. Selenium 2 supports most of all browsers to run your test cases and many programming languages like C#, Java, Python, Ruby, .Net, Perl, PHP, etc.. to create and modify your test scripts. ![](/files/-LTkwW1UN-R98TMzgFL9) You first need to launch a separate application called Selenium Remote Control (RC) Server before you can start testing * Selenium RC Server "injects" a Javascript program called Selenium Core into the browser. * Once injected, Selenium Core will start receiving instructions from the RC Server from your test program. * When the instructions are received, Selenium Core will execute them as Javascript commands. * The browser will execute the instructions of Selenium Core, and will relay its response to the RC Server. * RC Server will fetch the next instruction from your test script to repeat the whole cycle. ![](/files/-LTkwhr6BB0GMbQMZUn8) * Selenium WebDriver does not require selenium server for running test. * It controls the browser from the OS level * All you need are your programming language's IDE (which contains your Selenium commands-e.g. Eclipse) and a browser. #### Advantages: Speed WebDriver is faster than Selenium RC since it interacts directly to the browser WebDriver is faster than Selenium RC since it interacts directly to the browser #### Browser Support WebDriver can support the headless HtmlUnit browser.HtmlUnit is termed as "headless" because it is an invisible browser - it is GUI-less.It is a very fast browser because no time is spent in waiting for page elements to load. #### API WebDriver's API is simpler than Selenium RC's. It does not contain redundant and confusing commands like RC. \*\* RC contain redundant and confusing commands like type or typeKeys, click, mouseDown, or mouseDownAt etc #### Disadvantages: It cannot readily support new browsers, but Selenium RC can. It does not have a built-in command for automatic generation of test results #### WebDriver Configuration Step 1: Download and install Java in your system Step 2: Download and install Eclipse Step 3: Download WebDriver Jar Files. (; Step 4: Start Eclipse and configure it with selenium WebDriver * Select Workspace on eclipse start up * File > New > Project > Java Project * Create new package> Create New Class * \> Add external jar files * Right click on project > Select Properties > Select Java build path > Navigate to Libraries tab Click on add external JARs button > Browse the Jar Files to add. #### Example: ![](/files/-LTky3WnhMc0qnEmz5EI) ![](/files/-LTky7osnoraSisGQ1bd)