What is Cucumber Framework? (Benefits of Cucumber Testing)

August 2024 · 4 minute read

Cucumber is an open-source software testing tool written in Ruby. Cucumber enables you to write test cases that anyone can easily understand regardless of their technical knowledge.

Before understanding Cucumber testing, let’s quickly review the various automation testing frameworks.

  • Linear Scripting Framework
  • Modular Testing Framework
  • Data-driven Framework
  • Keyword-driven Framework
  • Behavior-driven Development Framework (BDD)
  • What is Cucumber Framework?

    Cucumber FrameworkCucumber Framework executes automated acceptance tests written in the “Gherkin” language. Gherkin is a domain-specific language for behavior descriptions. Gherkin is business-readable.

    Cucumber test automation makes use of two important files:

  • Feature file – Contains code written in Gherkin (plain English text)
  • Step definition file – Contains the actual code written by the developer
  • Cucumber acts as a bridge between the following teams:

    Benefits of using Cucumber Testing Tools

    Involving stakeholders becomes easier regardless of their programming knowledge.

    How does Cucumber work?

    Cucumber BDD framework mainly consists of three major parts:

  • Feature File: Cucumber tests are written in plain text files called feature files stored with the extension – “.feature”. A Feature File can be described to make the documentation more legible. These files describe the behavior and functionality of the software using a specific syntax called Gherkin. Gherkin is a structured language that uses keywords like Given, When, and Then to define the steps of a test scenario.
  • Step Definitions: Each step in a feature file is associated with a step definition implemented in the code. Step definitions define the actions or operations that must be executed for each step of the test scenario. They map the plain text steps in the feature file to the corresponding code implementation.
  • Test Runner File: In Cucumber, the test runner file executes the Cucumber feature files and coordinates the steps defined in those feature files with the corresponding step definitions.
  • Example of Cucumber Test

    Here’s an example of the Cucumber Test for checking the Login functionality for an existing user.

    Scenario: As an existing user, I want to log in successfully. Given the user is on the Home page When the user navigates to the Login page And the user enters the username and password Then the successful login message is displayed

    BDD in Cucumber Automation

    Behaviour-driven Development (BDD) is a software development technique that has evolved from TDD (Test Driven Development), which is an approach or programming practice where the developers write new code only when the automated test case fails.

    The behavior-driven development’s approach involves the usage of shared language that enhances communication between various tech and non-tech teams. Tests are more user-focused and based on the system’s behavior. In BDD, “Given-When-Then” is the proposed approach for writing test cases.

    Consider the example below for a better understanding:

    Benefits of BDD in Cucumber Framework

    The below image describes a simple BDD operation –

    Lifecycle of Cucumber BDD

    Lifecycle of BDD

    Limitations of Behavior-driven development

    Cucumber with Selenium

    Many organizations prefer the Selenium framework for cross-browser compatibility testing. These organizations also prefer integrating Cucumber with Selenium as it makes it easier to read and understand the flow of applications among the members of different teams. Gherkin syntax involves simple and plain text, which makes it easier to understand test cases.

    Run Selenium Cucumber Tests 

    Summary

    ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o77OsKqeqqOprqS3jZympmeXqralsY6lnJqqnmKuo7vUrWScrZOquqOx0WarnquknruoedOopqU%3D