CODEWITHSUNDEEP
specflow
Kirsten
Kirsten

Reputation: 18046

Phrasing Specflow scenarios

I have written a lot of steps that cause me to get confused between the Arrange and Assert steps in my code.

For example:

given file A exists
when I rename it 
then file B exists

The arrange part of my code should be making a file and the Assert part of my code should be testing for the existance of a file

however because both steps translate as "File X Exists" I keep getting confused and writing assert code in my arrange steps.

How can I phrase things better so that I don't get confused ?

I have thought of using the present tense in the Arrange part of the specflow For example

given I make file A

However the human readable aspect doesn't feel right.

Upvotes: 2

Views: 128

Answers (1)

perfectionist
perfectionist

Reputation: 4346

In your given and your then you are expressing a different intent. File A exists is very concise but not really great for communicating with other people.

There are many ways of writing cucumber. For me, the thing I think about when phrasing "THEN" parts is "what should have happened" - "should" is the important word to me.

How about

Given a file named "0001.mpg" exists
When I rename "0001.mpg" to "dance competition finals.mpg"
Then a file named "dance competition finals.mpg" should exist

Grammatically:

  • Given ... exists - is in the simple present tense - i.e. this is true now, and isn't conditional on anything.
  • Then ... should exist expresses neccessity in the present tense - i.e. if you check right now this instant, then it ought to be so. ("should" is a "deontic" modal verb according to english stackexchange)

Upvotes: 4

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