Frequently Asked Questions

Following are some frequently asked questions about WatiN


Which versions of Internet Explorer are supported?

Internet Explorer 6 as well as Internet Explorer 7.


Which windows versions are supported?

Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 2003. Using WatiN on Vista gives some problems when User Account Control (UAC) is enabled. If you disable UAC almost all WatiN unit tests pass.


Are you planning to support FireFox?

Yes, a CTP version of WatiN 2.0 will have (almost complete) support for running tests with FireFox 2.0 as well. This release will be available somewhere in Februari 2008.


Will there be a recorder for WatiN scripts?

WatiN Test recorder is the most advanced recorder currently available for WatiN. It is developed by Daaron Dwyer and you can find the project at http://watintestrecord.sourceforge.net


Can I use WatiN with FitNesse?

Yes, Jeff Parker has created WatiNFixture but you can also use WatiN in your own fixture code. Read the WatiNFixture Setup guide on how to change the FitNesse.Net server code. It needs to run in a Single Threaded Apartmentstate (STA) to make it work with WatiN.


Are you going to port WatiN to the .Net 2.0 framework?

Yes. As off WatiN version 0.8.0 there is a distribution for the .Net 1.1 and .Net 2.0 frameworks available for download. But since there is just but one  code base no advantage is taken from the new .Net 2.0 features like generics etc&


I get an invalid cast exception when creating an IE instance with WatiN 0.7. Whats wrong?

Make sure the thread your code is running in a single threaded apartment (STA) thread. For more information on this subject read this article. WatiN 0.8.0 (and later) will throw a ThreadStateException to help you remind to set the apartmentstate to STA.


Can I help in anyway?

Yes! WatiN is an open source project so your contribution is highly appreciated. Please subscribe to the development mailing list to participate in the development of WatiN.


Under which open source license is this project distributed?

WatiN 1.0.0.400 and higher use the Apache License 2.0. See http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html for the full license text.

Before WatiN 1.0 the LGPL license was used. See http://www.opensource.org/licenses/lgpl-license.php  for the full license text


What does WatiN mean and how do you pronounce it?

WatiN (pronounced as what-in) stands for Web Application Testing In .Net.

But there are also other translations:

  • In the Chipewyan language it means: Sunrise.
  • In Poland it means: Garage.
  • In Finland (and maybe some other countries) it means: Watt.

Do you know another meaning for the word Watin, send me a link to a dictionary or other website which explains it and I will add it here.