Using Background and Scenario Context in Cucumber - Tutorial

In Cucumber, Background and Scenario Context are powerful features that help streamline the creation of BDD (Behavior-Driven Development) test scenarios and improve test automation. They allow you to set up preconditions for multiple scenarios and share state between them. In this tutorial, we will explore how to effectively use Background and Scenario Context with examples and discuss common mistakes to avoid.

Introduction to Background and Scenario Context

Background: The Background keyword allows you to define steps that should be executed before each scenario in a feature file. It is useful for setting up common preconditions across multiple scenarios within the same feature.

Scenario Context: Scenario Context enables you to share state or data between steps in a scenario. It provides a way to pass information between steps within the same scenario, even if they are in different step definition classes.

Example of Background

Consider a scenario where we need to test the login functionality of a web application. The login page needs to be accessed before executing any login-related scenarios. Instead of repeating the step for accessing the login page in each scenario, we can use Background as follows:


    Feature: Login Functionality

    Background:

    Given the user is on the login page

    Scenario: Successful Login

    When the user enters valid credentials

    Then the user should be logged in successfully

    Scenario: Invalid Credentials

    When the user enters invalid credentials

    Then an error message should be displayed

Example of Scenario Context

Let's say we have a scenario where a user adds items to their cart and proceeds to checkout. We want to share the cart information (e.g., selected items) between steps. Scenario Context can be used for this purpose:


    Scenario: Add items to cart and checkout

    Given the user is on the product page

    When the user adds item "A" to the cart

    And the user adds item "B" to the cart

    Then the cart should contain 2 items

    When the user proceeds to checkout

    Then the total price should be displayed

    And the user can complete the checkout process

Steps to Use Background and Scenario Context

Follow these steps to effectively use Background and Scenario Context in Cucumber:

Define Background: Identify common steps that should be executed before each scenario and place them in the Background section of the feature file.
Implement Background Steps: Write step definitions for the Background steps to set up the necessary preconditions.
Use Scenario Context: In the step definitions, use Scenario Context to share state or data between steps within the same scenario.
Keep Scenarios Atomic: Avoid excessive use of Background and Scenario Context to maintain clarity and readability of scenarios.

Common Mistakes with Background and Scenario Context

Overusing Background for scenarios that have few common steps.
Using Scenario Context to pass large amounts of data between steps, which can lead to maintainability issues.
Not resetting the Scenario Context properly between scenarios, causing interference between scenarios.
Writing scenarios that are too dependent on shared context, making them difficult to understand in isolation.
Using Background and Scenario Context for scenarios that do not require them, leading to unnecessary complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use multiple Backgrounds in a feature file?
A: No, Cucumber allows only one Background per feature file, which is executed before each scenario in that feature.
Q: Is Scenario Context shared between different scenarios?
A: No, Scenario Context is specific to the scenario and does not persist between different scenarios.
Q: Can I use Background and Scenario Context together in a scenario?
A: Yes, you can use Background to set up common preconditions and Scenario Context to share state between steps in the same scenario.
Q: Can I use Background and Scenario Outline together in a feature?
A: Yes, you can use Background with Scenario Outline to set up common preconditions for data-driven scenarios.
Q: How do I reset the Scenario Context between scenarios?
A: You can reset the Scenario Context by using hooks or step definition methods to clear any stored data after each scenario execution.

Summary

Background and Scenario Context are essential features in Cucumber that help enhance the readability and maintainability of BDD test scenarios. Background allows you to define common preconditions for scenarios in a feature, while Scenario Context enables the sharing of state or data between steps within the same scenario. By using these features wisely and avoiding common mistakes, you can create effective and clear scenarios that contribute to successful test automation and collaboration between developers and stakeholders.