What is the difference between implicit and explicit wait in Selenium?

What is the difference between implicit and explicit wait in Selenium?

Implicit wait is a global setting that tells Selenium to wait for a certain amount of time when trying to find an element. Explicit wait, on the other hand, is more specific and allows you to wait for a particular condition to occur before proceeding.

Can you give me an example of how to use explicit wait?

Sure! You can use WebDriverWait along with ExpectedConditions. For example:

from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By
from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import WebDriverWait
from selenium.webdriver.support import expected_conditions as EC

wait = WebDriverWait(driver, 10)
element = wait.until(EC.visibility_of_element_located((By.ID, 'myElement')))

When should I use implicit wait over explicit wait?

Use implicit wait when you want a uniform wait time for all elements. Use explicit wait when you need to wait for specific conditions for certain elements.

Are there any downsides to using implicit wait?

Yes, using implicit wait can lead to longer wait times if not managed properly, as it applies to all elements. It can also cause confusion when mixed with explicit waits.