Cucumber Framework: Benefits and Techniques

Web Applications are becoming important for companies seeking innovative ways to link to and serve their target markets in the digital realm. Given the importance of web apps in business operations these days, regardless of industry, they need to be thoroughly checked to ensure that they deliver a high-end user experience. 

Automation Testing accelerates the lifecycle of software development. Also, by following a Behavior Driven Development (BDD) approach to development, various stakeholders, such as developers, QAs, and non-tech teams, will actively engage in the project. 

The simulations are written based on the predicted actions of the program and checked to verify whether they fit those scenarios.These situations are recorded in a Domain Specific Language such as Gherkin. 

In each test scenario, natural language structures forming small English-like phrases are used to explain the action and expected result of the application. This is achieved using a specialized software tool like Cucumber framework, which enables the execution of automatic acceptance tests written in Gherkin.

What is Cucumber Framework

Cucumber is an open-source testing platform that facilitates Behavior Guided Development for web application automation testing. The tests are first written in a simple scenario form that explains the expected actions of the device from the point of view of the consumer.

Widely used for acceptance tests, Cucumber is coded in Ruby, while the tests are written in Gherkin, a non-technical and human-readable language.

Checking Cucumber and Selenium: Collective Approach

Although automated selenium testing adds precision and speed to the development cycle, Cucumber brings an additional edge to it, making it more interactive for non-technical management stakeholders. 

Widely useful for User Acceptance Testing, where the test scenarios are primarily guided by actions, Cucumber reinforces Automation Testing. Cucumber is a prominent BDD method. It is easy to read and can be understood by all stakeholders, including the technical and non-technical persons concerned.

Cucumber with Selenium

Cucumber can be combined with Selenium in three stages.

• Build a feature file that specifies the features and scenarios step by step using the Gherkin language.
• Build a file for Testrunner. In this file, we integrated Cucumber with the Selenium BDD system. We’re running this script.
• Build Phase definition, the actual selenium script defined in this package.

Test Automation Techniques using Selenium and Cucumber Framework

The Cucumber system consists mainly of three main sections – the Function File, Stage Descriptions, and the Test Runner File.

1. File Feature

A standalone unit or a single feature (such as a login) for a project may be called a feature. Each of these features would have scenarios to be tested using Selenium combined with Cucumber. A file that stores data on features, their descriptions, and the scenarios to be evaluated is called a Feature File.

Cucumber tests are commonly used in various industries, including those related to test companies. These tests are written in Function Files, which are stored with the “.feature” extension. A summary of the function file may be given to make the documentation more readable.

2. Step Definitions

Now that the features are written to the function files, the code for the relevant scenario needs to be executed. To know which batch of code needs to be run for a given scenario, Steps descriptions are shown in the image. The Steps Definitions file stores the mapping data between each stage of the scenario specified in the feature file and the code to be implemented.

3. Test Runner File

To run the test, one requires the Test Runner File, which is the JUnit Test Runner Class containing the Phase Specification position, and the other primary metadata needed to run the test.

The Test Runner File uses the @RunWith() Annotation from JUnit to run tests. It also uses the @CucumberOptions Annotation to describe the position of function files, stage definitions, integrations for reporting, etc.

When to Use Cucumber Framework 

Before discovering how cucumber functions and how to write a Cucumber Selenium test, let’s find out how to set up Cucumber. The installation of the prerequisites listed below is all that the user requires to start with the Cucumber Automation Testing.

Best Cucumber Research Activities

Here are some of the best Cucumber Research practices:

• For smooth communication, the Cucumber-java, Cucumber-JUnit, and Cucumber-core jars should be the same.
• When the test fails, attaching an after-hook to the screenshot-capturing function will aid in diagnosis and debugging.
• Use tags to organise tests based on their meaning. This is useful when you don't have to perform all of the tests every time. Such tests can be tagged and run only when necessary.
• This saves time as well as the system's computing power and resources.
• Cucumber Selenium tests must, as always, be executed on real browsers and devices. BrowserStack offers a Cloud Selenium Grid of 2000+ genuine browsers and devices for both live and automated testing.

Test automation is absolutely necessary in order to meet the increasing demands for faster delivery and optimal test quality. As a Selenium testing service provider, we understand the significance of automating tests for efficiency and effectiveness. 

Selenium's Cucumber framework enables the creation of test scenarios using natural language structures that define the programme's expected actions for a particular situation, making it ideal for user acceptance testing.

Conclusion

Finally, the only way to make sure full credibility of the results is to test websites on a real system cloud. So, always opt for real device testing to fully check the performance of the website, cross-browser accessibility, and the level of user experience it provides.

Related Articles

Digital transformation outsourcing

CSS frameworks

Junior Front End Developer Skills