locatorbased

Locatorbased is an adjective used to describe methods, systems, or processes that rely on a locator to identify a target resource, element, or data item. A locator is a reference that uniquely identifies the target, such as a URL, file path, database key, or UI selector. The concept emphasizes using a stable, external reference to access a resource rather than embedding the resource details directly within the action or process. Locatorbased approaches are common in computing, data management, and automation.

In user interface testing and web automation, locatorbased techniques are widely used to find elements for interaction. Common locator types include IDs, names, class names, CSS selectors, XPaths, link text, and data attributes. Locator-based strategies improve automation flexibility by allowing scripts to locate elements even as presentation changes. Best practices favor stable, unique locators—prefer IDs or dedicated data attributes over brittle selectors tied to layout or transient text—and encourage centralized locator definitions to simplify maintenance.

In other domains, locatorbased concepts appear in areas such as web scraping, configuration management, and resource discovery, where a locator serves as the primary means to retrieve or manipulate the target. The approach supports modular design and reuse but can incur fragility if locators change or if access paths become blocked by security or dynamic content.

See also: Locator, Locator strategy, CSS selector, XPath, URL, Key-based access.