Software test automation has revolutionized the way we ensure the quality and reliability of our applications. One popular approach is using Gherkin syntax, a structured language that promotes collaboration and communication between developers, testers, and stakeholders. Gherkin is often used in conjunction with tools like Cucumber. While Gherkin offers certain benefits, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations and question its suitability for all scenarios. In this blog article, we will explore the drawbacks of Gherkin syntax in software Web test automation, challenging the notion that it is a one-size-fits-all solution. In my personal experience, gherkin approach might be a a better approach for API automation frameworks (because the test steps are fewer and mostly common). Therefore, the following limitations I faced mainly on the web test automation frameworks
1. Rigidity and Limited Expressiveness
Gherkin syntax follows a strict Given-When-Then structure, aiming to provide clear and concise test scenarios. However, this rigid structure can also be limiting and will increase the test development time. Real-world scenarios are often complex and diverse, requiring flexibility and expressive power. Gherkin’s simplicity may result in oversimplification of test cases, making it difficult to represent intricate business logic or complex workflows accurately.
2. Ambiguity and Overhead in Maintenance
Maintaining Gherkin scenarios can become cumbersome over time. As applications evolve, scenarios may need to be modified or extended, which can lead to a significant overhead in updating Gherkin files. Additionally, Gherkin’s natural language format can introduce ambiguity and subjective interpretations, making it challenging to maintain consistent and reliable test cases across the entire development team. This ambiguity can hinder collaboration and impact the overall effectiveness of the test automation process.
3. Difficulty in Reusing Steps
One of the touted advantages of Gherkin syntax is its reusability of steps across different scenarios. However, managing and maintaining a reusable step library can become complex as the number of scenarios grows. Dependencies between steps can introduce a high level of coupling, making it difficult to modify or refactor steps without impacting multiple scenarios. This can lead to duplicated steps, reduced maintainability, and increased effort in managing the step definitions.
4. Ambiguity and Subjectivity in Natural Language
Gherkin relies on natural language for test case representation, which can introduce ambiguity and subjective interpretations. Different team members may understand and interpret the same scenario differently, leading to inconsistencies and misunderstandings. This can hinder effective collaboration and make it challenging to maintain a consistent and reliable set of test cases.
5. Test development time will increase
Utilizing the Gherkin approach introduces an additional layer in the test development process (gherkin syntax .feature files). This layer implies the connection between human-readable sentences and the underlying code. Aside from debugging and maintaining this layer too, when considering the creation of new tests, time will be spent searching through existing steps to determine if any can be reused. Moreover, the test design phase requires mapping the business flow into human-readable steps, finding suitable sentences for each step, and adding further time requirements.
Conclusion
While Gherkin syntax has gained popularity as a means of promoting collaboration and communication within software development teams, in my opinion it is crucial to recognize its limitations. The rigidity of Gherkin’s structure can hinder its applicability in complex and evolving software projects. The potential ambiguity, overhead in maintenance, and challenges in reusability can also impact the effectiveness of Gherkin-based test automation.
The choice of a testing approach should be based on a thorough evaluation of the project requirements, team expertise, and the trade-offs involved.
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