Top Cucumber BDD Interview Questions- Essential Preparations for Your Next Software Testing Role

When preparing for a Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) interview, understanding the types of questions that may be asked is crucial. One of the most popular tools used in BDD is Cucumber, a tool that helps teams write and execute automated tests using plain English. In this article, we will explore some common Cucumber BDD interview questions that you might encounter during your interview process.

1. Can you explain what Cucumber is and how it is used in BDD?

Cucumber is an open-source tool that allows teams to write automated tests using plain English. It is based on the Gherkin language, which is a business-readable, domain-specific language. Cucumber is used in BDD to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders by enabling them to communicate using a common language. It helps ensure that everyone has a clear understanding of the requirements and expectations for the software being developed.

2. What is the difference between Gherkin and Cucumber?

Gherkin is a language used to write feature files, which are plain-text files that describe the behavior of the software under test. Cucumber, on the other hand, is a tool that uses Gherkin to execute those feature files. In simpler terms, Gherkin is the syntax, while Cucumber is the engine that interprets and executes the Gherkin feature files.

3. Can you explain the role of a Step Definition in Cucumber?

A Step Definition in Cucumber is a piece of code that defines how to execute a step in a Gherkin feature file. It translates the plain English statement into a testable code snippet. For example, a step like “Given I am on the home page” would have a corresponding Step Definition that contains the logic to navigate to the home page of the application.

4. How do you create a Step Definition in Cucumber?

Creating a Step Definition in Cucumber involves writing code that matches the pattern of the Gherkin step. You can use different programming languages, such as Ruby, Java, or Python, depending on your project setup. Here’s an example of a Ruby Step Definition for a Gherkin step:

“`ruby
When(“I am on the home page”) do
visit ‘/’
end
“`

5. What are the different types of tags in Cucumber?

Cucumber supports tags, which are used to categorize feature files and steps. They help in organizing and filtering the tests based on various criteria. There are three types of tags:

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`@feature`: Tags applied to a feature file to indicate that it belongs to a particular feature.

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`@scenario`: Tags applied to a scenario to indicate that it belongs to a particular scenario.

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`@step`: Tags applied to a step to indicate that it belongs to a particular category or to skip the step during test execution.

6. How do you handle dependencies between feature files in Cucumber?

Handling dependencies between feature files in Cucumber can be achieved by using hooks. Hooks are methods that run before or after a feature file or scenario. You can use the `Before` and `After` hooks to set up dependencies or perform cleanup tasks before and after running a feature file or scenario.

7. What are the best practices for writing Gherkin feature files?

Writing effective Gherkin feature files is crucial for successful BDD practices. Some best practices include:

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Using a clear and concise language that is easily understandable by both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

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Breaking down complex scenarios into smaller, manageable steps.

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Using a consistent structure and format for your feature files.

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Writing step definitions that are as simple and straightforward as possible.

By familiarizing yourself with these Cucumber BDD interview questions and their answers, you’ll be better prepared to demonstrate your expertise in BDD and Cucumber during your interview.