What type of selector identifies a UI element when the application is running?

The type of selector that identifies a UI element while the application is running is known as a dynamic selector. Dynamic selectors are essential in robotic process automation because user interfaces can change, with elements potentially being added, removed, or modified during runtime. A dynamic selector adapts to these changes by using properties that can be modified to reliably locate the UI element even if its attributes like ID or position change.

This adaptability is achieved through the use of wildcards or by specifying properties that are less likely to change during execution. By being flexible, dynamic selectors minimize the possibility of errors due to UI changes, enhancing the stability and robustness of the automation process.

In contrast, static selectors are fixed representations of UI elements that do not accommodate runtime changes. While relatively straightforward, they may fail if the UI undergoes modifications. Fixed selectors, not commonly referenced in RPA contexts, would imply a similar lack of flexibility as static selectors. Relative selectors typically refer to a method of identifying elements in relation to other elements rather than adapting dynamically to changes. Thus, the dynamic selector is the most appropriate option for reliably interacting with UI elements during application runtime.