Updating ChromeDriver on Ubuntu

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What will you learn?

In this tutorial, you will learn how to update the ChromeDriver binary file on an Ubuntu system. By keeping your ChromeDriver up-to-date, you ensure that your automated tests and web scraping scripts using Selenium work seamlessly with the latest versions of Google Chrome.

Introduction to Problem and Solution

When working with Selenium for browser automation, it’s crucial to keep the ChromeDriver updated to avoid compatibility issues with newer versions of Google Chrome. On Ubuntu systems, updating ChromeDriver requires specific steps as it may not be directly managed by the operating system’s package manager.

To address this issue effectively, we will first check our current version of Google Chrome. Then, we will download and replace the existing ChromeDriver with a compatible version from its official website. This approach guarantees that your automated testing or web-scraping tools remain functional and efficient without encountering unexpected errors due to version mismatches.

Code

  1. Check your current Google Chrome version:

    google-chrome --version

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  2. Download the matching version of ChromeDriver:

  3. Extract and move chromedriver to /usr/bin/:

    unzip chromedriver_linux64.zip
sudo mv chromedriver /usr/bin/chromedriver

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  4. Set executable permissions:

    sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/chromedriver

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  5. Verify installation by checking chromedriver version: 

    chromedriver --version 

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Explanation

Here is a breakdown of the steps involved in updating the ChromeDriver on Ubuntu:

  • Identify the current version of Google Chrome installed on your system.
  • Download a compatible version of ChromeDriver from its official downloads page.
  • Extract and move the downloaded chromedriver to /usr/bin/, a standard directory for executable files in Unix-like OS like Ubuntu.
  • Set executable permissions for chromedriver to ensure smooth execution.
  • Verify if chromdriver has been correctly installed or updated by checking its version.
    How do I check my current chrome driver? 
    chromedrive --version 

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    What if my script still doesn’t work after updating?

    Ensure you’ve matched exact versions between Google Chome & Driver; sometimes even minor discrepancies can cause issues.

    Where should I place my downloaded chromedrive?

    The recommended location is /usr/local/bin.

    Do I always need root access when updating chromedrive?

    Yes, moving files into /usr/bin/ typically requires administrative privileges.

    Can I automate this process?

    Yes! Scripts can be written & scheduled via cron jobs for regular updates.

    Conclusion

    It is essential to keep your tools up-to-date for smooth operation while developing applications or automating web tasks using Selenium WebDriver together with Chrome. By following these detailed instructions, you can effectively manage updates to Chromeriver within the Ubuntu environment, thereby avoiding potential headaches caused by mismatches between software versions.

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