Array parameters become non-array when passed from inside a step

[priyanksaroha]

Describe the bug

I'm using gauge+webdriverio to write automation tests, and when I do a shift+tab operation using browser.keys(['Shift', 'Tab]), I get Error: "keys" command requires a string or array of strings as parameters. I tested in a poc with just webdriverio and it worked correctly, but with gauge I'm facing this problem. I put logs before calling the keys method, and inside the keys method of webdriverio, and instanceof Array is true before calling the method, but false inside the method. The value of the parameter isn't changed, but it fails any checks in a method to ensure that the parameter is an array. This behavior is consistent regardless of what method I call — I pass an array parameter, but when it reaches the method, it's not an array anymore.

Tested with webdriverio versions: 5.18.6, 6.0.0, and 4.11.0

[zabil]

Discussed at https://spectrum.chat/gauge/general/array-parameters-becoming-non-array~28eb5ebf-d29e-4fc3-aa20-1658694b2c4c

[zabil]

Might be related to #384

[zabil]

Webdriver uses the instanceof operator to check for the array

https://github.com/webdriverio/webdriverio/blob/18967aba9be475ab15d3c7197d7bbe9cf6abe578/packages/webdriverio/src/commands/browser/keys.js#L38-L42

This does not work in how Gauge uses node js vm

nodejs/node-v0.x-archive#1277 (comment)

[NivedhaSenthil]

A fix for this is merged in Webdriverio..webdriverio/webdriverio#5806 should be available as part of next release.