Browser Battery Consumption Test Script

This Python script automates web browsing actions to simulate typical user behavior and facilitate the testing of browser battery consumption within a single tab. It opens a specified browser, navigates to a predefined list of websites within the same tab, performs scrolling actions, and repeats the process indefinitely or until manually interrupted.

Purpose

The primary goal of this script is to provide a consistent and repeatable method for evaluating the battery efficiency of different web browsers under controlled conditions, focusing on single-tab navigation. By simulating user interaction through automated website navigation and scrolling within a single browser tab, the script aims to provide accurate data regarding browser power usage.

Features

• Automated Single-Tab Web Browsing: Opens a specified web browser and navigates through a list of user-defined websites, all within the same tab.
• Simulated User Interaction: Mimics user scrolling behavior with random scroll amounts to replicate realistic browsing patterns.
• Indefinite Execution: Runs continuously, allowing for long-term battery consumption testing.
• Error Handling: Includes robust error handling to prevent unexpected script termination.
• Customizable Browser Path: Allows users to specify the path to their browser executable, enabling the testing of various browsers.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Designed to function on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
• Randomized Scrolling: Incorporates randomized scrolling to emulate more realistic user interaction.
• Remote Debugging: Uses remote debugging to navigate through websites on the same tab.
• User-Friendly Browser Selection: Prompts the user to input the desired browser and its path.

Pre-requisites

• Python 3.x: Ensure Python 3.x is installed on your system. You can download it from python.org.
• pyautogui Library: Install the pyautogui library using pip: pip install pyautogui.
• A web browser: Chrome, Firefox, Vivaldi, or any other browser you want to test.
• Remote Debugging: Some browsers may require enabling remote debugging.

Program Functions

• get_browser_path(browser_name):
  • Attempts to locate the browser executable path based on the operating system and browser name.
  • If the path is not found in common locations, it prompts the user to enter the full path.
  • Returns the executable path or None if invalid.
• open_browser(browser_path, start_url):
  • Opens the specified browser with the given starting URL using subprocess.Popen().
  • Returns True if successful, False otherwise.
• navigate_to_url(browser_path, url):
  • Navigates to the given URL within the browser's existing tab using remote debugging via subprocess.Popen().
  • Returns True if successful, False otherwise.
• scroll_and_wait(duration=30):
  • Simulates user scrolling by randomly scrolling up and down for a specified duration.
  • Uses pyautogui.scroll() for scrolling and time.sleep() for delays.
• battery_test(website_list, browser_name, start_url):
  • Orchestrates the battery test process.
  • Gets the browser path, opens the browser, navigates to each website, scrolls, and repeats.
  • Handles errors and user interruptions.

How to Run

Windows

1. Install Python and pyautogui:
   • Download and install Python 3.x from python.org.
   • Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run pip install pyautogui.
2. Save the script:
   • Save the Python script as battery_test.py.
3. Run the script:
   • Open Command Prompt or PowerShell, navigate to the script's directory, and run python battery_test.py.
4. Enter Browser Information:
   • The script will ask for the browser name, and if needed the path.
5. Interrupt the test:
   • Press Ctrl+C to stop the script.

Linux

1. Install Python and pyautogui:
   • Use your distribution's package manager to install Python 3 and pip.
   • Open a terminal and run pip3 install pyautogui.
2. Save the script:
   • Save the Python script as battery_test.py.
3. Run the script:
   • Open a terminal, navigate to the script's directory, and run python3 battery_test.py.
4. Enter Browser Information:
   • The script will ask for the browser name, and if needed the path.
5. Interrupt the test:
   • Press Ctrl+C to stop the script.

macOS

1. Install Python and pyautogui:
   • Install Python 3.x using Homebrew or from python.org.
   • Open Terminal and run pip3 install pyautogui.
2. Save the script:
   • Save the Python script as battery_test.py.
3. Run the script:
   • Open Terminal, navigate to the script's directory, and run python3 battery_test.py.
4. Enter Browser Information:
   • The script will ask for the browser name, and if needed the path.
5. Interrupt the test:
   • Press Ctrl+C to stop the script.

Important Notes

• Battery consumption results may vary depending on hardware, operating system, and other running applications.
• This script automates browser actions; you will need separate tools or operating system features to measure actual battery consumption.
• It is highly recommended to close all other running programs to minimize outside interference during testing.
• Remote debugging must be allowed by the browser.
• If the browser path is incorrect, the script will not function.