Ruby Forum RSpec > Difference between spec:server and autospec

What's the difference between spec:server and autospec?

I understand spec:server is only for a Rails project while autospec
can work with any projects.

I read 
http://wiki.github.com/dchelimsky/rspec/spec_server-autospec-nearly-pure-bdd-joy
but couldn't understand it.

I leave autotest/autospec running during the development.
"autotest-fsevent" is very
helpful for me, a Mac user.

Do we use both at the same time for Rails projects?

Jon

Hunt Jon wrote:
> What's the difference between spec:server and autospec?
>
>   
I wouldn't recommend using spec server - use spork instead:

http://github.com/timcharper/spork/tree/master

Both load the rails environment, so that each time you run your tests
(with script/spec -X or script/spec --drb) you won't have to wait for it
to load up (which can take 4-5 seconds).

autospec/autotest, on the other hand, polls the filesystem every 3
seconds or so for changes.  When it sees one, it reruns just the test or
spec file which has changed.

Scott

Thanks Scott.

I don't get what happens if I add --drb
to spec/spec.opts
files.

Can anybody explain to me, please?

Hunt Jon wrote:
> Thanks Scott.
>
> I don't get what happens if I add --drb
> to spec/spec.opts
> files.
>   

If you add --drb to your spec.opts (or you run script/spec --drb
spec/my_spec.rb) - you will run your specs through the spec server.

Without --drb, rails will load up in a fresh process.

The *whole point* of the drb server is to speed up load time when
running specs.

Just to give you an idea, here's the difference for me (with spork
instead of the spec server):

http://screencast.com/t/qhRvqiXc

Scott