Cucumber Interview Questions with Answers

Cucumber has become an essential tool for Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), widely used for automating tests in both web applications and other software systems. This guide covers the most common Cucumber interview questions with answers, organized from basic to advanced topics.

It has over 2.6k stars, 2k forks, and 108k users on GitHub. Teams use Cucumber to write easy-to-understand test cases, making it common in interviews. This article covers frequently asked Cucumber interview questions, including its benefits, testing methods, steps, data tables, tags, and scenario summaries.

Cucumber Interview Questions for Freshers

In this section, we explore top interview questions about Cucumber, a key tool for Behavior-Driven Development (BDD). This interview guide covers everything from basic BDD concepts and Cucumber’s role in testing to advanced topics like Gherkin syntax and scenario-based techniques, highlighting its application, syntax, and integration with testing frameworks.

1. What is Cucumber?

Cucumber is a testing tool that helps you write and run software tests. It follows a method called Behavior Driven Development (BDD). With Cucumber, you can write tests in plain English, so even people who are not technical can understand them.

2. What is the underlying principle behind the Behaviour Development (BDD) paradigm?

The main idea behind Behavior Driven Development (BDD) is to make sure everyone on a project, like business analysts, developers, and testers, understands how the software should work. BDD helps you write tests that show how the software should behave in a way that everyone can understand. This way, it brings everyone on the same page without needing deep technical knowledge.

3. What basic concepts must one know while working with Cucumber?

To work with Cucumber, you should know these basic concepts:

• Feature: A high-level description of a software feature you want to test.
• Scenario: A specific situation or test case for the feature.
• Step: An action or outcome in the scenario (like "Given," "When," and "Then").
• Background: Steps that are common to all scenarios in a feature.
• Gherkin: The language used to write Cucumber tests.

4. What is a scenario in Cucumber Testing?

A scenario in Cucumber is a single test case that describes a specific situation or use case for the software. Each scenario includes several steps that describe actions and expected outcomes. For example, a scenario might describe how a user logs into an application and what should happen when they enter the correct username and password.

5. What is Gherkin Language?

Gherkin is the language used to write Cucumber tests. It uses plain English to describe software behaviors in a way that everyone can understand. Gherkin has keywords like "Feature," "Scenario," "Given," "When," and "Then" to organize the test steps. This makes it easy for both technical and non-technical people to read and write tests.

6. What is a Scenario Outline in the Cucumber framework?

A Scenario Outline in Cucumber is used when you need to run the same test scenario multiple times with different sets of data. Instead of writing the same test steps over and over again, you use a Scenario Outline and provide different data sets in a table. Each row in the table represents a different test case.

7. What is a ‘feature’ in Cucumber?

A ‘feature’ in Cucumber is a high-level description of what a part of your software should do. It is written in a file called a feature file, which has a ".feature" extension. Each feature file contains one or more scenarios that describe different situations of how the feature should work. The feature file uses plain English, so everyone can understand it.

8. What are the functions of Cucumber?

Cucumber helps with several tasks in software development:

• Testing: It converts plain English descriptions into test steps that can be run automatically.
• Collaboration: It allows developers, testers, and business people to work together using a common language (Gherkin).
• Documentation: It provides clear documentation of how the software should behave.
• Integration: It works with various programming languages and testing frameworks, making it flexible for different projects.

9. How to test API in Cucumber?

To test an API in Cucumber, you follow these steps:

1. Write feature files: Describe the API behavior in Gherkin language.
2. Implement step definitions: Write the code that makes the actual API calls. You can use HTTP client libraries like RestAssured for Java or requests for Python.
3. Run the tests: Execute the Cucumber tests using a test runner like JUnit or TestNG, and check the results to ensure the API behaves as expected.

10. What is debugging in Cucumber?

Debugging in Cucumber involves finding and fixing issues in your Cucumber tests or the code they test. Common debugging methods include:

• Print statements: Adding print statements in your step definitions to see what's happening at each step.
• Using a debugger: Setting breakpoints and running your tests in debug mode to inspect variables and program flow.
• Dry run: Running Cucumber in a special mode that checks for missing steps without executing the tests. This helps identify where the problems are.

11. What are the Steps in the context of Cucumber?

In Cucumber, "steps" are individual actions or checks that you perform in a test scenario. Steps are written in plain English and are defined using keywords like "Given," "When," "Then," "And," and "But." Each step is connected to a piece of code called a "step definition" that performs the actual action or check described by the step.

12. What are annotations with respect to Cucumber?

Annotations in Cucumber are special keywords or symbols used in the step definition files to mark specific methods. They help Cucumber understand how to connect the steps written in the feature files with the corresponding code. Common annotations include:

• @Given: Marks a method that sets up a precondition.
• @When: Marks a method that performs an action.
• @Then: Marks a method that checks the outcome.
• @Before: Marks a method that runs before each scenario.
• @After: Marks a method that runs after each scenario.

13. What are hooks in Cucumber? How can they be used in Cucumber?

Hooks in Cucumber are blocks of code that run at specific points during the test execution cycle. They help manage setup and teardown tasks. You can use hooks to perform actions like opening a browser, setting up test data, or cleaning up after tests.

• @Before: Runs before each scenario. Used for setup tasks.
• @After: Runs after each scenario. Used for cleanup tasks.

@Before
public void setUp() {
    // Code to set up before each scenario
}

@After
public void tearDown() {
    // Code to clean up after each scenario
}

14. What are tags in Cucumber, and why are they important?

Tags in Cucumber are labels that you can add to your scenarios or features to organize and control which tests to run. They are written with the "@" symbol followed by a tag name, like @smokeTest or @regression.

Tags are important because they allow you to:

• Filter tests: Run only a specific group of tests based on their tags.
• Organize tests: Categorize tests into different types (e.g., smoke tests, regression tests).
• Manage test execution: Include or exclude tests easily during test runs.

For example:

@smokeTest
Scenario: Verify user login
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters valid credentials
    Then the user is redirected to the homepage

15. What is a Dry Run in Cucumber?

A Dry Run in Cucumber is a special mode that checks if all the steps defined in the feature files have corresponding step definitions without actually running the tests. This helps identify any missing or unimplemented steps.

You can enable a dry run by setting the dryRun option to true in the Cucumber options. For example:

@RunWith(Cucumber.class)
@CucumberOptions(
    features = "src/test/resources/features",
    glue = "stepDefinitions",
    dryRun = true
)
public class TestRunner {
}

When you run this, Cucumber will validate the steps and report any missing step definitions.

16. What are Cucumber parameters?

Cucumber parameters allow you to pass dynamic values to your steps. They make your scenarios more flexible and reusable. You define parameters using angle brackets < > in your feature files, and then capture these values in your step definitions.

Example:

Scenario: User logs in   
Given the user logs in with username "<username>" and password "<password>"

Step Definition:

@Given("the user logs in with username {string} and password {string}")
public void login(String username, String password) {
    // Code to log in with the given username and password
}

17. What is meant by a Cucumber profile?

A Cucumber profile is a way to group and run a specific set of tests with certain configurations. You can define profiles in a cucumber.yml file, and each profile can have different settings like tags to include or exclude, paths to feature files, and other options.

Example cucumber.yml:

default: --tags @regression --glue stepDefinitions --plugin pretty
smoke: --tags @smokeTest --glue stepDefinitions --plugin pretty

To run tests with a specific profile, use the --profile option:

cucumber --profile smoke

18. In which language is Cucumber software written?

Cucumber was originally written in the Ruby programming language. However, it has since been implemented in several other languages, including Java and JavaScript, to support a wider range of developers.

19. What language is used by the Cucumber tool?

Cucumber uses Gherkin, a simple, plain-text language that describes the behavior of software. Gherkin uses keywords like Feature, Scenario, Given, When, Then, And, and But to write tests that are easy to read and understand for both technical and non-technical people.

20. What are the two files required to execute a Cucumber test scenario?

To execute a Cucumber test scenario, you need two main files:

A. Feature File (.feature): This file contains the high-level description of the software feature and the test scenarios written in Gherkin language. Example:

Feature: User Login

Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
  Given the user is on the login page
  When the user enters valid username and password
  Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

B: Step Definition File: This file contains the code that implements the steps defined in the feature file. The step definitions link the Gherkin steps to actual code. Example:

@Given("the user is on the login page")
public void userOnLoginPage() {
    // Code to navigate to the login page
}

@When("the user enters valid username and password")
public void userEntersCredentials() {
    // Code to enter username and password
}

@Then("the user should be redirected to the homepage")
public void userRedirectedToHomepage() {
    // Code to verify redirection to homepage
}

21. What are the various keywords used in the Cucumber tool for writing a scenario?

Cucumber uses several keywords in Gherkin to write scenarios. These keywords help to describe the behavior of the software:

• Feature: Describes the feature under test.
• Scenario: Defines a specific test case with a sequence of steps.
• Given: Sets up the initial context or state before an action is taken.
• When: Describes the action or event that triggers the test scenario.
• Then: Specifies the expected outcome or result of the action.
• And: Used to add more steps to Given, When, or Then.
• But: Adds a condition to Given, When, or Then.
• Background: Defines steps that are common to all scenarios in a feature file.
• Scenario Outline: Used to run the same scenario with different sets of data.
• Examples: Provides the data sets for a Scenario Outline.

22. What is the use of the Background keyword in Cucumber?

The Background keyword in Cucumber is used to define a set of steps that are common to all scenarios in a feature file. It helps avoid repetition by specifying steps that should be run before each scenario. The Background section runs before each scenario, ensuring that the scenarios start with a common context.

Example:

Feature: User Login

Background:

Given the user is on the login page

Scenario: Successful login

When the user enters valid credentials

Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

Scenario: Unsuccessful login

When the user enters invalid credentials

Then the user should see an error message

23. What do you understand by the term step definition in Cucumber?

A step definition in Cucumber is the actual code implementation that corresponds to the steps mentioned in the feature file. Each step in the Gherkin scenario is mapped to a method in the step definition file, where the actions described in the step are carried out. Step definitions are written in a programming language like Java, Ruby, or JavaScript.

Example:

Given the user is on the login page

Step Definition in Java:

@Given("the user is on the login page")
public void userOnLoginPage() {
    // Code to navigate to the login page
}

24. Which programming languages are supported by Cucumber?

Cucumber supports multiple programming languages, making it versatile for different development environments. The supported languages include:

• Ruby (original implementation)
• Java (Cucumber-JVM)
• JavaScript (Cucumber.js)
• .NET (SpecFlow)
• Python (Behave, which is similar to Cucumber)
• PHP (Behat)
• Groovy
• Kotlin
• Scala

25. What are the differences between JBehave and Cucumber?

JBehave and Cucumber are both tools for behavior-driven development (BDD), but they have some differences:

• Syntax:
  • JBehave: Uses a story syntax with keywords like GivenStories, Scenario, Given, When, Then, and Examples.
  • Cucumber: Uses Gherkin syntax with keywords like Feature, Scenario, Given, When, Then, And, But, and Examples.
• Language:
  • JBehave: Primarily uses Java.
  • Cucumber: Originally written in Ruby, but now supports multiple languages including Java, JavaScript, and more.
• Configuration:
  • JBehave: Requires more configuration and setup, particularly for specifying story paths and other settings.
  • Cucumber: Generally easier to set up with simpler configurations.
• Community and Ecosystem:
  • JBehave: Has a smaller community and fewer plugins and integrations compared to Cucumber.
  • Cucumber: Larger community, more plugins, and better integration with various tools and frameworks.
• Annotations:
  • JBehave: Uses Java methods annotated with JBehave-specific annotations like @Given, @When, and @Then.
  • Cucumber: Uses annotations similar to JUnit, like @Given, @When, and @Then.
• Usage:
  • JBehave: More commonly used in Java-centric projects where developers are comfortable with Java configuration.
  • Cucumber: Widely used across different languages and frameworks due to its flexible support and simpler syntax

26. What do you understand by regular expressions?

Regular expressions (regex) are patterns used to match character combinations in strings. They are used for searching, manipulating, and editing text based on specific patterns. In Cucumber, regular expressions are often used in step definitions to match steps in feature files and extract values dynamically.

Example:

Given the user enters "John" as the username

Step Definition with Regex:

@Given("the user enters \"([^\"]*)\" as the username")
public void enterUsername(String username) {
    // Code to handle the username input
}

In this example, \"([^\"]*)\" is a regular expression that captures the username from the step.

27. What software is used to run a Cucumber Web Test case?

To run a Cucumber web test case, you typically need the following software:

1. Cucumber: The testing framework itself.
2. WebDriver (e.g., Selenium WebDriver): For automating web browser interactions.
3. IDE (Integrated Development Environment): Such as IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, or Visual Studio Code, to write and run your tests.
4. Programming Language: Depending on the implementation of Cucumber you are using (Java, Ruby, JavaScript, etc.).
5. Build Tools: Such as Maven or Gradle for Java projects, to manage dependencies and run tests.
6. Browser Drivers: Such as ChromeDriver or GeckoDriver, to interact with the browser.

28. What do you understand by test harness in Cucumber?

A test harness in Cucumber is a set of tools and libraries that work together to automate the execution of test scenarios. It includes the following components:

• Feature Files: Written in Gherkin language, describing the behavior of the application.
• Step Definitions: Mapping between Gherkin steps and code implementations.
• Test Runner: Executes the tests, typically configured with Cucumber options.
• Dependencies: Libraries and tools required to run the tests, managed by build tools like Maven or Gradle.
• Hooks and Plugins: Additional functionalities like reporting, setup, and teardown tasks.

29. What is the main aim of the Behavior Driven Development (BDD) framework?

The main aim of Behavior Driven Development (BDD) is to improve communication and collaboration between all stakeholders in a software project, including developers, testers, business analysts, and product owners. BDD achieves this by using a common language (usually Gherkin) to describe the behavior of the application, making it easier for everyone to understand the requirements and ensuring that the software meets the business needs.

30. What is the purpose of the behavior-driven development (BDD) methodology in the real world?

In the real world, the purpose of Behavior Driven Development (BDD) is to:

• Enhance Collaboration: BDD encourages collaboration between technical and non-technical team members by using a common language to describe requirements and tests.
• Improve Understanding: It ensures that everyone has a clear understanding of the system's behavior and requirements.
• Reduce Ambiguity: BDD helps eliminate misunderstandings and ambiguities in requirements by providing concrete examples of how the system should behave.
• Increase Test Coverage: By writing tests from the user's perspective, BDD ensures that all critical behaviors are tested.
• Facilitate Continuous Integration: BDD supports continuous integration and delivery by making tests executable and automated, ensuring that new changes do not break existing functionality.
• Align Development with Business Goals: It ensures that the development process is closely aligned with business objectives, delivering software that meets user needs.

31. What do you understand by TDD, and what are the different processes used in TDD?

Test-Driven Development (TDD) is a software development approach where you write tests for your code before you write the code itself. The process helps ensure that the code is working as expected and helps in creating cleaner, more reliable code.

Processes used in TDD:

1. Write a Test: Write a test for a small piece of functionality that you want to add.
2. Run the Test: Run the test to see it fail. This step ensures that the test is valid and that the functionality does not yet exist.
3. Write Code: Write the minimal amount of code needed to make the test pass.
4. Run the Test Again: Run the test again to see it pass.
5. Refactor: Refactor the code to improve its structure and readability, while ensuring that all tests still pass.
6. Repeat: Repeat the cycle for the next piece of functionality.

32. What are the similarities between BDD and TDD?

Similarities between BDD and TDD:

1. Test-First Approach: Both BDD and TDD involve writing tests before writing the actual code.
2. Automation: Both methodologies promote automated testing to ensure code correctness and functionality.
3. Frequent Testing: They encourage frequent testing throughout the development process to catch defects early.
4. Refactoring: Both practices include refactoring code to improve design and maintainability without changing its behavior.
5. Improved Code Quality: Both aim to produce higher quality, more reliable code by ensuring that it meets defined requirements.

33. What are the main differences between TDD and BDD?

Differences between TDD and BDD:

1. Focus:
   • TDD: Focuses on testing individual units of code (e.g., methods, functions) to ensure they work correctly.
   • BDD: Focuses on the behavior of the application from the user's perspective, ensuring that the system meets business requirements.
2. Language:
   • TDD: Tests are written in the programming language of the application, using frameworks like JUnit, NUnit, etc.
   • BDD: Tests are written in a natural, human-readable language using frameworks like Cucumber, which uses Gherkin syntax.
3. Scope:
   • TDD: Typically tests small units of code in isolation.
   • BDD: Tests the behavior of the entire system or specific features, often involving multiple units of code and their interactions.
4. Collaboration:
   • TDD: Primarily involves developers.
   • BDD: Encourages collaboration between developers, testers, business analysts, and other stakeholders.
5. Documentation:
   • TDD: Produces technical documentation in the form of unit tests.
   • BDD: Produces readable documentation that can be understood by non-technical stakeholders.

34. What is the purpose of the Given step in Cucumber?

The Given step in Cucumber is used to describe the initial context or state before an action is taken in a test scenario. It sets up the preconditions for the test. The Given step helps establish the context for the scenario by providing background information or setting up necessary conditions.

Example:

Given the user is on the login page

35. What is the purpose of the When step in Cucumber?

The When step in Cucumber describes the action or event that triggers the test scenario. It represents the main action that the user or system performs. The When step is used to specify the action that will be tested.

Example:

When the user enters valid credentials and clicks the login button

36. What is the purpose of the Then step in Cucumber?

The Then step in Cucumber is used to specify the expected outcome or result of the action performed in the When step. It checks if the system behaves as expected after the action has taken place. The Then step is where assertions and validations are made to ensure the software is working correctly.

Example:

Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

37. What is the difference between a Background and a Scenario Outline in Cucumber?

Background:

• Purpose: Used to define common steps that should be run before each scenario in a feature file.
• Usage: Helps to avoid repetition by setting up a common context for all scenarios.
• Placement: Placed at the beginning of a feature file, before any scenarios.
• Example:

  Feature: User Login
  
  Background:
    Given the user is on the login page
  
  Scenario: Successful login
    When the user enters valid credentials
    Then the user should be redirected to the homepage
  
  Scenario: Unsuccessful login
    When the user enters invalid credentials
    Then the user should see an error message

Scenario Outline:

• Purpose: Used to run the same scenario multiple times with different sets of data.
• Usage: Helps to avoid duplication by defining a template for the scenario and providing multiple data sets.
• Placement: Used within a feature file, with an Examples table to provide data sets.
• Example:

  Scenario Outline: User login
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters "<username>" and "<password>"
    Then the user should see a "<message>"
  
    Examples:
      | username | password | message                                      |
      | user1          | pass1         | Welcome, user1!                          |
      | user2         | pass2         | Welcome, user2!                         |
      | user3         | wrong       | Invalid username or password |
  

38. What is a tag in Cucumber?

A tag in Cucumber is a label that you can assign to scenarios or features to organize and control which tests to run. Tags are prefixed with the @ symbol and are used to filter and group tests based on their purpose, type, or other criteria.

Example:

@smokeTest
Scenario: Verify user login
  Given the user is on the login page
  When the user enters valid credentials
  Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

39. What is the purpose of a Cucumber tag?

The purpose of a Cucumber tag is to:

1. Organize Tests: Group related scenarios or features for better organization.
2. Filter Tests: Run specific subsets of tests by including or excluding scenarios based on tags.
3. Control Execution: Easily manage which tests to run during different phases of development, such as smoke tests, regression tests, or integration tests.
4. Improve Readability: Provide additional context or categorization for scenarios, making it easier to understand their purpose.

Example usage:

cucumber --tags @smokeTest

40. What is the purpose of using regular expressions in Cucumber?

The purpose of using regular expressions (regex) in Cucumber is to:

1. Match Steps: Dynamically match steps in feature files with step definitions.
2. Extract Values: Capture and extract dynamic values from steps to use in step definitions.
3. Reuse Step Definitions: Create flexible and reusable step definitions that can handle multiple variations of a step.

Example:

Given the user enters "John" as the username

Step Definition with Regex:

@Given("the user enters \"([^\"]*)\" as the username")
public void enterUsername(String username) {
    // Code to handle the username input
}

In this example, the regular expression \"([^\"]*)\" captures the username from the step and passes it to the enterUsername method

41. What is a data table in Cucumber?

A data table in Cucumber is a way to pass a set of data to a step in a structured format. It allows you to provide multiple values for a single step, making it easier to test different scenarios without writing repetitive steps. Data tables are typically used to input data into forms, validate multiple fields, or verify lists.

Example:

Scenario: Verify user details
  Given the following user details:
    | name   | email                           | age |
    | John     | [email protected] | 30  |
    | Jane     | [email protected] | 25  |

Step Definition:

@Given("the following user details:")
public void userDetails(DataTable table) {
    List<Map<String, String>> userDetails = table.asMaps(String.class, String.class);
    for (Map<String, String> user : userDetails) {
        // Code to process user details
    }
}

42. What is the purpose of the Background keyword in Cucumber?

The Background keyword in Cucumber is used to define a set of common steps that should be run before each scenario in a feature file. It helps avoid repetition by specifying steps that all scenarios in the feature share. The Background steps are executed before each scenario, ensuring a consistent starting point.

Example:

Feature: User Login

Background:
  Given the user is on the login page

Scenario: Successful login
  When the user enters valid credentials
  Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

Scenario: Unsuccessful login
  When the user enters invalid credentials
  Then the user should see an error message

43. How do you skip a scenario in Cucumber?

You can skip a scenario in Cucumber by using tags. By tagging a scenario with a specific tag (e.g., @skip), you can configure your test runner to exclude scenarios with that tag during execution.

Example:

@skip
Scenario: This scenario will be skipped
  Given some precondition
  When some action is taken
  Then some expected result is obtained

In your test runner, exclude the @skip tag:

cucumber --tags "not @skip"

44. How do you generate HTML reports in Cucumber?

To generate HTML reports in Cucumber, you need to use a reporting plugin. The cucumber-html-reporter is a popular choice. You configure your test runner to generate the report.

Example in Java with Maven and Cucumber:

A. Add the required dependencies to your pom.xml:

<dependency>
  <groupId>io.cucumber</groupId>
  <artifactId>cucumber-java</artifactId>
  <version>6.10.4</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
  <groupId>io.cucumber</groupId>
  <artifactId>cucumber-junit</artifactId>
  <version>6.10.4</version>
</dependency>

B. Configure the @CucumberOptions annotation in your test runner:

@RunWith(Cucumber.class)
@CucumberOptions(
    features = "src/test/resources/features",
    glue = "stepDefinitions",
    plugin = {"pretty", "html:target/cucumber-reports.html"}
)
public class TestRunner {
}

C. Run your tests. The HTML report will be generated in the target/cucumber-reports.html file.

45. What is a cucumber report?

A Cucumber report is a document that provides the results of running Cucumber tests. It includes details about each test scenario, such as whether it passed or failed, the steps executed, and any errors encountered. Cucumber reports help you understand the outcome of your tests and identify issues in the application.

Reports can be generated in various formats, including HTML, JSON, and XML. HTML reports are particularly useful because they provide a visually appealing and easy-to-read summary of the test results. They include information like the number of scenarios executed, the status of each scenario, the time taken for execution, and detailed logs for each step.

46. What is a cucumber feature?

A Cucumber feature is a high-level description of a software feature that is tested using Cucumber. It is written in a feature file with a ".feature" extension and uses plain English to describe the behavior of the software. Each feature file contains one or more scenarios that outline specific use cases for the feature. The feature file serves as both documentation and executable test cases.

Example:

Feature: User Login

  Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters valid username and password
    Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

  Scenario: Unsuccessful login with invalid credentials
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters invalid username and password
    Then the user should see an error message

47. What is a cucumber plugin?

A Cucumber plugin is an extension that adds additional functionality to Cucumber. Plugins can be used to generate reports, integrate with other tools, and extend Cucumber's capabilities. Commonly used plugins include those for generating HTML reports, JSON reports, and integrating with Continuous Integration (CI) tools.

Example configuration for using the HTML report plugin:

@RunWith(Cucumber.class)
@CucumberOptions(
    features = "src/test/resources/features",
    glue = "stepDefinitions",
    plugin = {"pretty", "html:target/cucumber-reports.html"}
)
public class TestRunner {
}

48. What is a cucumber scenario outline example?

A Cucumber Scenario Outline is used to run the same scenario multiple times with different sets of input data. The Scenario Outline uses placeholders in the scenario steps, and the actual data is provided in an Examples table.

Example:

Feature: User Login

  Scenario Outline: Successful login with valid credentials
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters "<username>" and "<password>"
    Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

    Examples:
      | username | password |
      | user1         | pass1         |
      | user2        | pass2        |
      | user3       | pass3        |

In this example, the Scenario Outline will run three times, once for each set of values in the Examples table.

49. What is a cucumber step?

A Cucumber step is an individual action or check within a scenario in a feature file. Steps are written in plain English and are defined using specific keywords like "Given," "When," "Then," "And," and "But." Each step is mapped to a step definition, which contains the code that performs the action described by the step.

Example steps in a scenario:

Given the user is on the login page
When the user enters valid username and password
Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

Corresponding step definitions:

@Given("the user is on the login page")
public void userOnLoginPage() {
    // Code to navigate to the login page
}

@When("the user enters valid username and password")
public void userEntersCredentials() {
    // Code to enter username and password
}

@Then("the user should be redirected to the homepage")
public void userRedirectedToHomepage() {
    // Code to verify redirection to the homepage
}

50. What is a cucumber test?

A Cucumber test is a behavior-driven development (BDD) test that defines how a software feature should behave using plain English syntax in a feature file. It includes one or more scenarios, each containing a sequence of steps (Given, When, Then) that describe the actions to be performed and the expected outcomes. The scenarios in the feature file are executed against the actual software to verify its behavior.

Example of a simple Cucumber test:

Feature: User Login

  Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters valid username and password
    Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

The test runner executes these scenarios, and the step definitions provide the code needed to perform the actions and check the results, ensuring that the software behaves as expected

51. What is a cucumber world in Cucumber?

In Cucumber, a world is a context object that holds shared state and data between different steps in a scenario. It allows you to maintain and access common information throughout the scenario execution. The world is typically used to store data that needs to be accessed by multiple step definitions, helping to avoid global variables and keep the code clean.

Example:

public class MyWorld {
    public String username;
    public String password;
}

// Step definitions can then use MyWorld to share state
@Given("the user has a username {string}")
public void setUsername(String username) {
    myWorld.username = username;
}

@When("the user logs in")
public void loginUser() {
    // Use myWorld.username for login
}

52. What is the difference between a feature and a scenario in Cucumber?

Feature:

• Purpose: A feature describes a high-level behavior of the software or a particular functionality that is being tested.
• Structure: Contains one or more scenarios.
• Scope: Broad, covering an entire functionality.
• Keyword: Starts with the keyword Feature.

Example:

Feature: User Login
  This feature allows users to log into the application.

Scenario:

• Purpose: A scenario describes a specific situation or use case that needs to be tested within the feature.
• Structure: Contains a sequence of steps (Given, When, Then) that define the actions and expected outcomes.
• Scope: Narrow, focusing on a particular aspect of the feature.
• Keyword: Starts with the keyword Scenario.

Example:

Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
  Given the user is on the login page
  When the user enters valid username and password
  Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

53. What is the difference between a scenario and a step in Cucumber?

Scenario:

• Purpose: A scenario is a specific test case that describes a particular use case or situation to be tested.
• Structure: Consists of multiple steps (Given, When, Then).
• Scope: Represents a complete test case.
• Keyword: Starts with the keyword Scenario.

Example:

Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
  Given the user is on the login page
  When the user enters valid username and password
  Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

Step:

• Purpose: A step is an individual action or check within a scenario.
• Structure: Represents a single action or assertion.
• Scope: Part of a scenario.
• Keywords: Starts with keywords like Given, When, Then, And, or But.

Example:

Given the user is on the login page
When the user enters valid username and password
Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

54. What is the difference between JUnit and Cucumber?

JUnit:

• Purpose: A unit testing framework for Java applications, primarily used for testing individual units of code (methods, classes).
• Syntax: Uses annotations like @Test, @Before, and @After.
• Focus: Tests isolated pieces of code.
• Language: Java.
• Use Case: Unit testing.

Example:

public class ExampleTest {
    @Test
    public void testAddition() {
        assertEquals(5, 2 + 3);
    }
}

Cucumber:

• Purpose: A behavior-driven development (BDD) framework used for writing acceptance tests in plain English.
• Syntax: Uses Gherkin language with keywords like Feature, Scenario, Given, When, Then.
• Focus: Tests the behavior of the entire application from the user's perspective.
• Language: Multiple languages (Java, Ruby, JavaScript, etc.).
• Use Case: Acceptance testing, end-to-end testing.

Example:

Feature: User Login

Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
  Given the user is on the login page
  When the user enters valid username and password
  Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

55. What is the difference between RSpec and Cucumber?

RSpec:

• Purpose: A testing framework for Ruby applications, used for unit testing and behavior-driven development (BDD).
• Syntax: Uses a domain-specific language (DSL) to describe tests.
• Focus: Tests individual units of code and their behavior.
• Language: Ruby.
• Use Case: Unit testing, BDD for Ruby applications.

Example:

RSpec.describe 'Addition' do
  it 'adds two numbers correctly' do
    expect(2 + 3).to eq(5)
  end
end

Cucumber:

• Purpose: A BDD framework used for writing acceptance tests in plain English, focusing on the behavior of the application.
• Syntax: Uses Gherkin language with keywords like Feature, Scenario, Given, When, Then.
• Focus: Tests the behavior of the entire application from the user's perspective.
• Language: Multiple languages (Ruby, Java, JavaScript, etc.).
• Use Case: Acceptance testing, end-to-end testing.

Example:

Feature: User Login

Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
  Given the user is on the login page
  When the user enters valid username and password
  Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

In summary, RSpec is more focused on testing individual units of code within Ruby applications, while Cucumber is geared towards acceptance testing and ensuring the application's behavior aligns with business requirements

56. What is the purpose of using Cucumber?

The purpose of using Cucumber is to facilitate Behavior Driven Development (BDD) by allowing the creation of tests that describe the behavior of the software in plain, human-readable language. This enables collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders, such as developers, testers, business analysts, and product owners, to ensure that the software meets business requirements and user expectations.

57. How do you debug a Cucumber test?

To debug a Cucumber test, you can follow these steps:

1. Use Print Statements:
   • Insert print statements (e.g., System.out.println in Java or console.log in JavaScript) in your step definitions to output variable values and flow information.
2. Set Breakpoints:
   • Use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse to set breakpoints in your step definition code.
   • Run your tests in debug mode to pause execution at the breakpoints and inspect variable values and program flow.
3. Use Logging:
   • Implement logging using a logging framework (e.g., Log4j for Java) to log detailed information about test execution.
4. Dry Run:
   • Run Cucumber in dry run mode (cucumber --dry-run) to ensure that all steps have corresponding step definitions.

Example of using print statements in Java:

@Given("the user is on the login page")
public void userOnLoginPage() {
    System.out.println("Navigating to the login page");
    // Code to navigate to the login page
}

58. How do you debug failing Cucumber tests?

To debug failing Cucumber tests, follow these steps:

1. Review Error Messages:
   • Carefully read the error messages and stack traces to identify where the failure occurred.
2. Use Print Statements:
   • Add print statements to output variable values and the flow of execution to understand what went wrong.
3. Set Breakpoints:
   • Use an IDE to set breakpoints in the failing step definitions and run the tests in debug mode to inspect the state at the time of failure.
4. Check Test Data:
   • Ensure that the test data being used is correct and that there are no discrepancies between expected and actual values.
5. Review Step Definitions:
   • Verify that the step definitions correctly match the steps in the feature files and that they are implemented as expected.
6. Isolate the Problem:
   • Temporarily disable other tests and focus on the failing test to isolate the problem and identify the root cause.

Example of setting a breakpoint in IntelliJ IDEA:

• Open the step definition file.
• Click in the gutter (left margin) next to the line where you want to set a breakpoint.
• Run the test in debug mode to pause execution at the breakpoint.

59. What is the difference between a soft assertion and a hard assertion in Cucumber?

Soft Assertion:

• Behavior: Continues executing the test even if the assertion fails, allowing multiple assertions to be checked within a single test.
• Use Case: Useful for validating multiple conditions in a test scenario and reporting all failures at once.
• Example: In Java, soft assertions can be implemented using libraries like softassert.

Example in Java:

SoftAssert softAssert = new SoftAssert();
softAssert.assertTrue(condition1, "Condition 1 failed");
softAssert.assertTrue(condition2, "Condition 2 failed");
softAssert.assertAll(); // Reports all assertion failures

Hard Assertion:

• Behavior: Stops test execution immediately if the assertion fails, preventing any further steps or assertions from being executed.
• Use Case: Useful for critical checks where subsequent steps depend on the success of the current assertion.
• Example: In Java, hard assertions can be implemented using Assert class from JUnit or TestNG.

Example in Java:

Assert.assertTrue(condition1, "Condition 1 failed");
Assert.assertTrue(condition2, "Condition 2 failed"); // This will not be executed if condition1 fails

60. How do you use Cucumber hooks?

Cucumber hooks are used to perform actions before or after scenarios, features, or steps. They help set up preconditions and clean up after tests. Commonly used hooks are @Before and @After.

1. @Before Hook:
   • Runs before each scenario to set up the initial context or state.
2. @After Hook:
   • Runs after each scenario to clean up or reset the state.

Example in Java:

import io.cucumber.java.Before;
import io.cucumber.java.After;

public class Hooks {
    @Before
    public void setUp() {
        // Code to set up preconditions, e.g., open a browser, initialize test data
        System.out.println("Setting up before scenario");
    }

    @After
    public void tearDown() {
        // Code to clean up after the scenario, e.g., close the browser, reset data
        System.out.println("Cleaning up after scenario");
    }
}

Example in Gherkin:

Feature: User Login

  Background:
    Given the database is clean

  @BeforeScenario
  Scenario: Successful login
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters valid credentials
    Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

  @AfterScenario
  Scenario: Unsuccessful login
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters invalid credentials
    Then the user should see an error message

In this example, the @Before hook sets up the initial conditions before each scenario, and the @After hook cleans up after each scenario

61. How do you use Cucumber with Selenium?

To use Cucumber with Selenium, you need to follow these steps:

A. Set Up Dependencies:

Add the required dependencies for Cucumber and Selenium in your build file (e.g., pom.xml for Maven or build.gradle for Gradle).

Example pom.xml:

<dependencies>
  <!-- Cucumber dependencies -->
  <dependency>
    <groupId>io.cucumber</groupId>
    <artifactId>cucumber-java</artifactId>
    <version>6.10.4</version>
  </dependency>
  <dependency>
    <groupId>io.cucumber</groupId>
    <artifactId>cucumber-junit</artifactId>
    <version>6.10.4</version>
  </dependency>

  <!-- Selenium dependency -->
  <dependency>
    <groupId>org.seleniumhq.selenium</groupId>
    <artifactId>selenium-java</artifactId>
    <version>3.141.59</version>
  </dependency>
</dependencies>

B. Create Feature Files:

Write feature files in Gherkin syntax to describe the behavior of your application.

Example Login.feature:

Feature: User Login

  Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters valid username and password
    Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

C. Write Step Definitions:

Implement step definitions in Java to map Gherkin steps to Selenium code.

Example LoginSteps.java:

import io.cucumber.java.en.Given;
import io.cucumber.java.en.When;
import io.cucumber.java.en.Then;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;
import static org.junit.Assert.assertTrue;

public class LoginSteps {
    WebDriver driver;

    @Given("the user is on the login page")
    public void userOnLoginPage() {
        System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver", "path/to/chromedriver");
        driver = new ChromeDriver();
        driver.get("http://example.com/login");
    }

    @When("the user enters valid username and password")
    public void userEntersCredentials() {
        WebElement username = driver.findElement(By.id("username"));
        WebElement password = driver.findElement(By.id("password"));
        WebElement loginButton = driver.findElement(By.id("loginButton"));
        username.sendKeys("validUser");
        password.sendKeys("validPassword");
        loginButton.click();
    }

    @Then("the user should be redirected to the homepage")
    public void userRedirectedToHomepage() {
        assertTrue(driver.getCurrentUrl().contains("homepage"));
        driver.quit();
    }
}

C. Run Tests:

Create a test runner class to run your Cucumber tests.

Example TestRunner.java:

import org.junit.runner.RunWith;
import io.cucumber.junit.Cucumber;
import io.cucumber.junit.CucumberOptions;

@RunWith(Cucumber.class)
@CucumberOptions(
    features = "src/test/resources/features",
    glue = "stepDefinitions",
    plugin = {"pretty", "html:target/cucumber-reports.html"}
)
public class TestRunner {
}

D. Execute Tests:

Run the test runner class to execute the Cucumber tests with Selenium.

62. What is the concept of grouping in the context of Cucumber?

In Cucumber, grouping refers to the organization of related scenarios or steps to make the test suite more manageable and readable. This can be achieved using tags and different folders for feature files and step definitions.

A. Using Tags:

Tags can be used to group related scenarios for easier execution and management.

Example:

@smokeTest
Scenario: Successful login
  Given the user is on the login page
  When the user enters valid username and password
  Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

@regressionTest
Scenario: Unsuccessful login
  Given the user is on the login page
  When the user enters invalid username and password
  Then the user should see an error message

B. Organizing Feature Files:

Place feature files in directories based on functionality or modules.

Example directory structure:

src/test/resources/features
  ├── login
  │   └── Login.feature
  ├── registration
  │   └── Registration.feature

C. Organizing Step Definitions:

Group step definitions in packages based on functionality or feature.

Example:

package stepDefinitions.login;

public class LoginSteps {
  // Step definitions for login feature
}

package stepDefinitions.registration;

public class RegistrationSteps {
  // Step definitions for registration feature
}

63. What is the suggested number of scenarios that one should maintain in a feature file as the best practice?

As a best practice, it is suggested to maintain a manageable number of scenarios in a feature file to keep it readable and maintainable. Typically, this means:

• Maximum 10 Scenarios per Feature File: This helps ensure that the feature file does not become too lengthy or complex, making it easier to read and understand.
• Logical Grouping: Group scenarios that logically belong together under the same feature. If a feature file grows too large, consider breaking it down into multiple feature files based on sub-features or functionalities.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Overcrowding a feature file with too many scenarios can make it difficult to navigate and maintain.

Example:

Feature: User Login

  Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters valid username and password
    Then the user should be redirected to the homepage

  Scenario: Unsuccessful login with invalid credentials
    Given the user is on the login page
    When the user enters invalid username and password
    Then the user should see an error message

  # Additional scenarios...

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