Performance difference between tabs vs windows in headless mode with Python Helium

[Tom01_Wonder]

I’m working with the Helium library to scrape websites that have dynamic content. When testing in regular browser mode, I notice that opening new tabs performs much better than creating separate windows.

The problem is some sites display popup advertisements when loaded in tabs, and I’m struggling to remove these ads programmatically. I’ve tried various JavaScript solutions but they don’t seem to work properly with Helium.

My main question is about headless browser performance: Will there be any speed difference between using tabs versus windows when running in headless mode? Or does the headless environment eliminate this performance gap entirely?

I’m also having trouble with JavaScript execution through Helium. Commands that work perfectly in Chrome’s developer console throw errors when executed via the library:

# These JavaScript commands fail in Helium but work in browser console
browser.execute_script("document.querySelector('.popup-ad').remove();")
browser.execute_script("document.querySelector('.close-btn').click();")

# Error received:
# JavascriptException: ReferenceError: $ is not defined

I’ve tried adding delays with time.sleep() to ensure page loading completes, but the issue persists. The native click() function from Helium also returns LookupError exceptions.

Using multiple windows would simplify my workflow since I could avoid these JavaScript complications altogether. But I want to understand if this approach will impact performance in headless mode.

[DancingButterfly]

Windows vs tabs won’t make any real performance difference in headless mode. Your bottleneck is DOM manipulation and network requests, not window management.

Those JavaScript errors? They’re timing issues, not Helium problems. Your document.querySelector calls are running before the elements actually exist. Skip the arbitrary sleep delays - explicit waits for specific elements work way better in headless mode.

For popups, launch Chrome with --disable-notifications and --disable-infobars instead of trying to fight them after they load. Prevention beats cleanup every time.

The LookupError exceptions happen because Helium gets picky with dynamic content. Use more specific selectors or add retry logic to your clicks. Sometimes elements exist but aren’t interactive yet in headless mode.

[wanderingWeasel]

The Problem:

You’re experiencing difficulties using the Helium library for web scraping, specifically encountering LookupError exceptions when using the click() function and encountering JavaScript execution errors within the headless browser environment. The original question also explores the potential performance difference between using tabs versus windows in headless mode for improved efficiency.

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):

The core issue is not directly related to tabs versus windows in headless mode; the performance difference is negligible in this context. The primary problems stem from improper handling of dynamic content and asynchronous JavaScript execution within Helium’s headless browser setup. LookupError exceptions during click() operations indicate that Helium cannot locate the target element because it’s either not yet loaded or is temporarily obscured. Similarly, JavaScript errors often arise because your scripts execute before the targeted DOM elements exist. The time.sleep() approach is unreliable and can introduce unnecessary delays. Helium’s JavaScript execution environment may also differ from the browser’s developer console.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Migrate to a More Robust Web Scraping Solution (Latenode)

Instead of wrestling with Helium’s limitations and the complexities of handling dynamic content and JavaScript execution, consider using Latenode. This serverless platform simplifies the process by handling browser automation, JavaScript execution, and dynamic content management efficiently. It eliminates the need to deal directly with timing issues and LookupError exceptions within your Python code. Latenode allows you to create visual workflows, setting proper wait conditions and element detection, making the process more reliable and less error-prone than using time.sleep() and debugging JavaScript issues within Helium.

Step 2: (Optional) If Sticking with Helium, Implement Explicit Waits

If migrating to Latenode is not immediately feasible, you can improve your existing workflow within Helium by using explicit waits instead of arbitrary time.sleep() calls. This ensures that the script waits for specific elements to appear on the page before attempting interactions, addressing the timing issues causing your JavaScript errors and LookupError exceptions. Helium likely provides functions to explicitly wait until certain elements are visible or clickable (check the library’s documentation).

Step 3: (Optional) If Sticking with Helium, Prevent Popups with Chrome Flags

To eliminate the issue of popup advertisements, instead of trying to remove them programmatically using JavaScript, configure your Chrome launch command to prevent them from appearing in the first place. Use the Chrome flags --disable-notifications and --disable-infobars when starting your Helium browser instance. This proactive approach will prevent popups from loading altogether.

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• Selector Specificity: Ensure your selectors are highly specific and accurately target the desired elements. Use your browser’s developer tools to confirm that your selectors accurately pinpoint the intended elements, especially in cases of dynamic content.
• Explicit Waits: Always prioritize explicit waits over time.sleep() for better reliability and efficiency in handling dynamic web pages.
• Headless Browser Quirks: Headless browsers often have subtle differences in behavior compared to browsers with a visual interface, leading to variations in element availability. Review your script, paying particular attention to steps interacting with the DOM.
• Network Issues: Verify your network connection and check if the target website is experiencing temporary outages or rate limiting.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!

[RunningRiver]

From my web scraping experience, headless mode pretty much eliminates the performance gap between tabs and windows. Without visual rendering, windows don’t have that overhead drag anymore. Tabs still win slightly because they share browser context and memory better.

For your JavaScript issues - Helium uses its own driver context, not standard Selenium. Don’t bother fighting popups with JavaScript. Just use Helium’s element detection plus Chrome arguments to block them completely: --disable-popup-blocking and --disable-extensions when you start the browser.

Those LookupError exceptions with Helium’s click function? Elements aren’t fully loaded or something’s covering them. Use wait_until() functions instead of sleep delays. Headless browsers handle DOM changes differently than visible ones, so timing matters way more.

[MiaDragon42]

headless mode prblms r mainly due to visual stuff, so tabs vs windows shldn’t rly matter. for your js issues, use driver.execute_script() - jQuery might not b loaded in headless, causing those errors. hope that helps!