internet explorer - How does WebDriver launch an instance of IE? -

internet explorer - How does WebDriver launch an instance of IE? -

how webdriver launch ie instance?

that is, iedriverserver.exe do? how binary instantiate ie browser window?

when new session requested language bindings, iedriverserver.exe calls windows ielaunchurl api function on "known good" url. usually, http://localhost:[port], can controlled passing specific capabilities. introduction of protected mode in ie 7, this api proper way launch ie. driver connects localhost instead of, say, about:blank, because target url must belong protected mode zone, , about:blank not.

the ielaunchurl api required because multi-process ie, process started launching iexplore.exe may not actual process containing browser driven. ielaunchurl api returns process id of launched browser, driver can utilize locate window handle of browser window owned iexplore.exe process. 1 time window handle known, driver can utilize 1 of 2 techniques (either active accessibility or shellwindows api) references ie com objects uses drive browser.

it worth noting that, default, driver not straight create instance of ie via createprocess, , not need query registry locate installed location of ie purposes of launching browser. while driver does determine location of ie executable, , uses registry so, uses location driver can correctly , unambiguously determine version of ie installed on system.

internet-explorer selenium-webdriver webdriver