Are you looking for an easy way to format your Cucumber feature file? The process can seem overwhelming at first, but with the right guide, you’ll be able to create a great feature file in no time.
In this article, we’ll take a step-by-step approach to formatting your feature file correctly.
We’ll cover everything from identifying the feature, adding the scenario, dividing into sections, proper indentation, and even some tips and best practices to help you get the most out of your feature file.
So let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Cucumber feature files are written using the Gherkin language.
They should begin with a Feature keyword followed by a short description of the feature, followed by the scenario outline.
The scenario outline will include the given, when and then steps that describe the behavior of the application.
Each line should begin with one of the keywords such as Given, When, Then, And, But.
Finally, each line should end with a period, and the entire feature file should be indented properly for readability.
Identifying the Feature
When creating a Cucumber feature file, the first step is to identify the feature that the test is for.
This step is important as it allows you to easily identify the purpose of the test.
The feature should be written as a short sentence that describes what the feature should do.
For example, a feature could be written as User should be able to sign in with an email address and password.
This will serve as the title of the feature file and should be placed at the top.
It should also be written in a sentence case, meaning that only the first letter of the first word should be capitalized.
This will make the feature description easier to read and will help to keep the feature file organized.
Adding the Scenario
When it comes to writing the cucumber feature file, adding the scenario is an important step.
The scenario should provide an overview of the feature and explain the expected outcome.
It should include a brief description of the feature, the context or background of the feature, and the expected result.
It is also important to include the business value of the feature, as this can help to ensure that the feature is developed in the most efficient way.
When writing the scenario, it is important to use the Given-When-Then format, which is a common structure used for writing software requirements. This structure allows for a concise description of the feature and helps to make it easier to read. The Given-When-Then format should be used for each step of the scenario. For example, a scenario might look like this:
Given that the user has logged in.
When they select the Create New Feature option.
Then a new feature form should be displayed.
By using theGiven-When-Then format, each step of the scenario can be easily identified and understood.
Additionally, it can help to ensure that the feature is developed correctly.
Furthermore, its important to make sure that each step of the scenario is easily understandable and that the language used is clear and concise.
This will help to ensure that the feature is developed correctly and that the tests are easy to read and understand.
Steps and Examples
When it comes to formatting the cucumber feature file, steps and examples are essential components that need to be included.
Steps are the actionable items that should be written in a given-when-then format.
This includes the given step, which sets the context of the scenario, the when step, which describes the action taken, and the then step, which describes the expected outcome.
Examples are the data values that are used to run the scenario.
They should be written in tables with the parameters and the corresponding values.
Proper indentation should be used for each step and example to ensure readability and accuracy.
Additionally, comments can be added to explain specific sections of the feature file, such as steps and examples, to provide more clarity to the users.
Dividing into Sections
When working with cucumber feature files, it is important to divide the file into sections.
This helps to provide structure and readability to the file.
The main sections of a cucumber feature file include a feature header, a scenario header, steps, and examples.
The feature header is the first section of the file, and it establishes what the feature is testing.
It should include a brief description of the feature that the test is covering.
The scenario header follows the feature header and typically starts with the word Scenario.
It should include a brief description of the specific scenario that the test is covering, and it should be written using the Given-When-Then format.
This format helps to clearly explain the purpose of the scenario and its expected outcome.
The steps section includes the actual code for the test.
It should have a clear structure and proper indentation for each step.
This helps to ensure that the tests are executed properly and readability is maintained.
Finally, the examples section includes the data that is used to test the scenario.
This should be written in a table format using labels to clearly identify the type of data in each column.
By dividing the cucumber feature file into sections, it is easier to identify and read the different parts of the test.
Additionally, proper formatting of the file ensures that the tests are executed correctly, which is essential for properly testing the feature.
Proper Indentation
Proper indentation is essential for the readability of a cucumber feature file.
It should be used to separate the different sections in the feature file, such as the feature, scenario, steps, and examples.
Each step should be indented with two spaces to clearly indicate that it is part of the section.
Additionally, each line should be left-aligned with the text preceding it to make the feature file easier to read.
This will also make it easier to locate specific sections in the feature file.
For example, the feature section should be indented two spaces from the left margin, and the scenario section should be indented four spaces.
Similarly, the steps and examples should also be indented two and four spaces respectively.
This helps to clearly distinguish between the different sections and makes it easier to follow the flow of the feature file.
It is also important to use consistent indentation throughout the feature file.
This means that the same number of spaces should be used for each section.
For instance, if the feature section is indented two spaces, then the scenario section should also be indented two spaces.
This will ensure that the feature file is properly formatted and that the tests can be executed correctly.
By using proper indentation in the cucumber feature file, it will be easier to read and understand.
It will also make it easier to identify the different sections and to locate specific parts of the feature file.
This will ensure that the tests are executed correctly and will improve the overall readability of the feature file.
Comments
When writing a cucumber feature file, one of the most important aspects to consider is including comments to explain specific sections of the feature file.
Comments can be used to describe the purpose of the feature, the purpose of a particular step, or to explain a complex example.
They are particularly important in feature files, as they allow developers to understand what each step is trying to accomplish.
Comments should be used sparingly, as they can make a feature file difficult to read if they are overused.
Comments should be used to clarify any difficult or complex logic, or to provide additional context to a step.
Additionally, comments should be placed at the end of a line, as this makes them easier to read and makes the feature file more organized.
Comments should also be written in the same language that the feature file is written in.
This ensures that all comments are understandable and can be easily read by developers.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that all comments are concise and to the point; overly long comments can be difficult to read and are not necessary for most scenarios.
Including comments in a cucumber feature file is an important part of making the file readable and understandable.
Comments should be used to explain complex logic or to provide additional context to a step, but should not be overused.
Additionally, comments should be written in the same language as the feature file and should be kept concise.
Following these guidelines will help ensure that the feature file is readable and understandable.
Tips and Best Practices
When it comes to formatting a cucumber feature file, there are several tips and best practices to keep in mind.
First, it is important to divide the feature file into sections and use proper indentation for each step.
This makes the feature file easier to read and understand.
Additionally, it is recommended to include comments to explain specific sections of the feature file.
This can help clarify the purpose of each section and make it easier to debug.
It is also important to ensure that the feature file is properly structured.
The feature should have an identifiable title, followed by a brief description of the functionality.
The feature should then include a scenario section where the specific steps of the test are outlined.
The steps should be written in plain language and should be written in a way that is understandable to the end user.
Additionally, each step should include an example that shows the expected output.
This helps to ensure that the test is being run correctly and that the functionality is working as expected.
Lastly, it is recommended to keep the feature file concise and to the point.
The feature should only include the information necessary to run the test.
Any unnecessary information or long descriptions should be omitted.
This can help make the feature file easier to read and understand.
By following these tips and best practices, developers can ensure that the cucumber feature file is properly formatted and structured for optimal readability and performance.
Final Thoughts
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily format your cucumber feature file and ensure that your automated tests are executed correctly.
Proper formatting is essential for readability and accuracy, so remember to identify the feature, add the scenario, divide into sections, use proper indentation, and include comments.
Lastly, be sure to follow the tips and best practices provided in this guide to ensure that your feature file is properly formatted.
Start applying these steps today and take your automated tests to the next level!