Advantages of Cucumber software testing

Cucumber software testing is a specific testing process wherein the executable code is translated by test scenarios that are written in Gherkin language. Gherkin language is a simple and easy-to-use language for writing cucumber tests. Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) also plays a strategic role in cucumber testing. BDD is implemented in automated testing through the Cucumber test platform. In this article, you will get to know the advantages of cucumber software testing.

What is Cucumber testing?

It is a specific testing process that is focused on the behavior of an application. Applications  are tested by taking Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) framework into perspective. A simple and easy-to-use language known as "Gherkin" is used for writing tests in cucumber software testing.

When cucumber testing is used, teams can work in a collaborated manner and will find it easy to understand and other technical aspects of testing. Readable test code can be written using Cucumber tests for humans and thus encourage collaboration. This in turn makes Cucumber software testing easier to maintain and more flexible.

The following are the advantages of cucumber software testing:

1. The setup process is easy: It is easy to setup the cucumber testing framework. For configuration purposes, IDEs like IntelliJ and Eclipse can be used. For better support, IDE-specific Cucumber plugins can be installed.

2. No specific programming/coding knowledge is required: There is no need for any specific coding knowledge to write test scripts. Those who are technically not well-versed or who are non-programmers can also write test scripts by learning a few basic aspects and getting acquainted with the instructions.

3. Reporting capabilities: Cucumber has its own XML, JSON and HTML reporting features. It can also be integrated with other reporting libraries like Allure and Extent.

4. Provides extensive community support: Cucumber is a hugely popular tool and hence one can find hundreds of tutorials and discussion forums in line with Cucumber software testing on the online platform.

5. Data-Driven testing: Inbuilt support is provided by Cucumber for Data-Driven Testing using Scenario Outline and Data Tables.

6. Easy integration: Cucumber can be easily integrated with other frameworks such as Selenium, JUnit, NUnit, TestNG etc.

7. Scaling up team's productivity: Cucumber encourages teams to work collaboratively. Cucumber acts as a bridge between technical and business language and this can be achieved by creating test cases in plain English text.

8. The reusability factor: Cucumber provides code reusability because it has a simple test script architecture, background, hooks and data table.

9. The power of localization: Cucumber scripts support many languages. Steps and keywords can be written in many languages. It is really easy to test a multilingual website using Cucumber.

10. Supports many languages: Many popular languages such as Python, PHP, Ruby, Perl, C#, .Net. Java etc., are supported by Cucumber.

11. There is no cost involved: Cucumber can easily be downloaded from its notified website wherein all the libraries are stored in the repository that can be downloaded and used as and when required.

12. Test coverage is enhanced: Tests can be written by users that cover multiple use cases and scenarios. Test coverage is enhanced and made sure that all the particulars of the  application is thoroughly tested.

Following are a few Cucumber testing best practices:

•       In order to manage the project's Cucumber tests, a tool like Cucumber Studio can be used
  
  
•        The scenarios are written in Gherkin Syntax
  
  
•        Include When, Given and Then steps in your scenarios
  
  
•        The scenarios should be concise and clear
  
  
•        The tests should run using the Cucumber command-line tool
            

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing cucumber software testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a top-notch software testing services company that will provide you with a viable testing strategy that is precisely in line with your project specific requirements.