Scenario in Cucumber Testing

Cucumber is a popular open-source testing tool that supports Behavior Driven Development (BDD). It facilitates the testing of software by providing a way of describing the behavior of the software in plain English. Of the various components of Cucumber, the ‘Scenario’ is one of the most basic structures, where there is a specific feature or facet that needs to be tested. This article focuses on the general approach to Cucumber testing, along with strategies on how to write scenarios properly and how to develop a solid approach to create clear, maintainable, and flexible scenarios.

What is a Scenario?

In Cucumber testing, a scenario is a collection of steps that define a particular behavior or feature of the application being tested. Every script can be described as a behavioral example relating to the specific conditions within the system. Scenarios are described in the Gherkin language, which is easy to understand and defines the steps of a test case. A scenario is usually made up of “Given,” “When,” and “Then” steps that present a set of conditions, actions, and results of the tests respectively.

Scenarios are one of the most important elements of BDD as they focus on bridging the communication gap between specialists and non-specialists. Scenarios depict the expected behaviors of a software solution in simple terms using plain language and therefore help in integrating the needs of different stakeholders, such as developers, testers, product owners, and business analysts.

Writing a Scenario

To write an effective scenario in Cucumber, you need to follow a specific structure using Gherkin syntax. Here’s a basic template:

Feature: <Feature name>
  <Feature description>

  Scenario: <Scenario name>
    Given <Initial context or state>
    When <Action or event>
    Then <Expected outcome>

Example Scenario

Let’s consider an example of a login feature for a web application:

Feature: User Login
  As a user, I want to log in to the application so I can access my account.

  Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters a valid username and password
    And clicks the "Login" button
    Then the user should be redirected to the dashboard

Best Practices for Scenarios

• Keep Scenarios Simple and Focused: Each scenario should be devoted to a single functionality or specific behavior. Avoid combining multiple features within a single test scenario, as it will complicate tests and their management.
• Use Clear and Concise Language: Explain scenarios in layman’s terms, with minimal use of technical or ambiguous language. This ensures that all team members, regardless of technical background, can understand the scenarios.
• Avoid Implementation Details: Scenarios should state what the software is required to accomplish, not how it is to be done. Avoid including implementation details such as database queries or specific UI elements.
• Use Backgrounds for Common Steps: If multiple scenarios share similar preconditions, use the “Background” section to avoid repetition and keep the scenarios clear.
• Prioritize Readability and Maintainability: Design scenarios that are easy to write and manage. Use meaningful names for scenarios and maintain consistent formatting for better readability and maintainability.
• Focus on Business Value: Scenarios should reflect the business value of the feature being tested. Consider the end-user perspective to ensure the scenarios align with business goals.
• Review and Collaborate: Regularly review scenarios with all stakeholders, including developers, testers, and business analysts. Collaboration ensures that scenarios accurately reflect the desired behavior and comply with business requirements.
• Keep Scenarios Independent: Ensure that each scenario can be executed independently of others. This independence increases flexibility and efficiency in test execution.

Conclusion

Scenarios in Cucumber testing are crucial as they offer a simple and straightforward way of defining how software should behave. Well-written scenarios are more comprehensible, manageable, and feasible when implemented by teams. They bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring a shared understanding of requirements. By maintaining a focus on business value and writing in plain English, teams can benefit from Cucumber scenarios, increasing collaboration and improving the quality of testing delivered to the end-user.