How to clear browser cache in firefox and chrome

[nwalimbe]

Before I login to the application, I want the ability to clear the cache. This is because the passwords and urls etc are stored in cache and before I execute any tests, I need to ensure that the cache is cleared. I am writing in python script. Is it possible? If yes, how?

[shankar_r]

best thread for this would be https://community.smartbear.com/t5/TestComplete-Functional-Web/How-to-ClearCache-and-Cookies-from-In...

[AlexKaras]

Hi,

Besides the fantastic reply from @shankar_r (Shankar, thank you a lot for bringing this ages-old thread to the light!), there are recommended settings for web browsers (https://support.smartbear.com/testcomplete/docs/app-testing/web/general/preparing-browsers/index.htm...) and it is a good idea to have them been done on the test machines.

[shankar_r]

@AlexKaras I am admiring wherever i see old threads there i see you in comments which insist me how much you are contributing for the peoples in the community to get away from automation headaches. 

[nwalimbe]

Thanks a lot shankar_r. However this seems to be in a language I do not understand. Could you pls. convert it into python or give me some pointers. I tried googling it, but looks like I am making mistakes here and there.

Thanks,

[nwalimbe]

This is the code, I am trying to use:

def ClearAllChromeStoredInfo():

objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
strAppDataFolder = aqEnvironment.GetEnvironmentVariable(("LocalAppData") & "\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default")
FilesInFolder = objFSO.GetFolder(strAppDataFolder).Files
Log.Message(FilesInFolder)
FoldersInFolder = objFSO.GetFolder(strAppDataFolder).SubFolders
for Folder in FoldersInFolder:
if UCase(Folder.Name) = "EXTENSIONS" and LCase(Folder.Name) = "EXTENSION STATE"
Folder.Delete True
break
For File In range (FilesInFolder)
If Not UCase(File.Name) = "PREFERENCES"
File.Delete
break

The error I am getting is attached.

[AlexKaras]

Hi,

I am not a Python expert. And not sure what line has #4, but maybe the slashes must be doubled? I.e.: "\\Google\\Chrome\\User Data\\Default" ?

[mike_duck]

Hi!

There is a workaround using Keys() method of browser Page object. Sorry, I'm not familiar with Python but in JScript it looks like following:

var browser = Sys.Find('ProcessName', 'chrome');

var page = browser.Page('http://yourpage.url/');

page.Keys("!^[Del]"); // Ctrl + Shift + Delete keys combination opens clear browser data dialog
SleepSeconds(2);

browser.Page('chrome://settings/clearBrowserData').Keys("[Enter]"); // hit Enter in clear browser data dialog
SleepSeconds(2);
browser.Page('chrome://settings/').Close(); // close settings page after clearing browsing data

page.Keys('[F5]');

[ucuber]

Aside the fact, that the question is a little bit older, here a solution in python for chrome I made for my tests. If you have some ideas to make it more elegant or effective or if you see errors, feel free to refactor it

Remark: on my system all the chrome stuff is in Roaming, so I use AppData instead of LocalAppData

def clear_stored_info_chrome():
    excluded_items = [item.upper() for item in [
                          r"Preferences",
                          r"Origin Bound",
                          r"Extension"
                        ] 
                      ]
    found_items = [item.upper() for item in glob.glob(
                      os.path.join(
                        aqEnvironment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AppData"),
                        r"Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\*"
                      )
                    )
                  ]
    for item in found_items:
      is_excluded = [True for tag in excluded_items if tag in item]
      if not is_excluded:
        try:
          if os.path.isdir(item):
             shutil.rmtree(item, ignore_errors=True)
          else:
              os.remove(item)
        except BaseException as e: # I ignore errors of any kind, just a remark to Log
          Log.Message("clear chrome stored info: {} - {}".format(item, e))