Using semantics in steps

Hi All,

Wanted to put this idea forward, see what you think of it. I’m using
Aslaks
lorry feature to illustrate this. See
http://github.com/aslakhellesoy/cucumber_rails/tree/master/features/step_definitions/lorry_steps.rb
.

In particular

within(“table > tr:nth-child(#{pos.to_i+1})”) do
click_link “Destroy”

and

Then /^I should see the following lorries:$/ do |lorries|
lorries.raw[1…-1].each_with_index do |row, i|
row.each_with_index do |cell, j|
response.should have_selector(“table > tr:nth-child(#{i+2}) >
td:nth-child(#{j+1})”) { |td|
td.inner_text.should == cell
}
end
end

Now imagine this is a real project, and your designer comes along and
decides that lorries really should be shown in a horizontal scrolling
zoomable javascript widgity thing. Now out go the tables and the
scenario
breaks.

However if we use something like

within("#lorries > .lorry:nth-child # not tested this syntax,
hope the meaning is clear

then we have

  1. Defined semantic tags that the designer should not touch
  2. Not relied on any html elements that a designer might change
  3. Created a step that works with the meaning of the UI not its
    presentation

So what do you think?

Andrew

On Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 1:09 AM, Andrew P. [email protected]
wrote:

then we have

  1. Defined semantic tags that the designer should not touch
  2. Not relied on any html elements that a designer might change
  3. Created a step that works with the meaning of the UI not its presentation

So what do you think?

100% agree. The more semantic your test code is, the less likely it
is to break, and the more likely it ought to when it does. If there’s
no longer a #lorries element on the page, the step will fail, but
that’s a lot like saying that if the lorries aren’t on the page the
step will fail. And that’s a good thing.

Peter

On Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 1:09 AM, Andrew P. [email protected]
wrote:

and
Now imagine this is a real project, and your designer comes along and

  1. Defined semantic tags that the designer should not touch
  2. Not relied on any html elements that a designer might change
  3. Created a step that works with the meaning of the UI not its presentation

So what do you think?

I agree with your sentiments. It’s how I access (and encourage others
to access) the views (both in step definitions and in view specs).


Zach D.
http://www.continuousthinking.com

Is this a feature request or a style thing?

In particular
td.inner_text.should == cell

So what do you think?

Feel free to submit a patch.

Aslak

Was just using your code as an example, not being critical of it. Sorry
if
it came out that way :). In its context it makes its point very clearly.

Andrew

2008/12/19 Aslak Hellesøy [email protected]

A style thing, just exploring interactions between features and UI

2008/12/19 David C. [email protected]

On Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 1:13 PM, David C. [email protected]
wrote:

Is this a feature request or a style thing?

I believe strictly style. Webrat supports within already, ie:

within “#my-css-selector” do |scope|
scope.should have_selector(“child element”)
end

lorry feature to illustrate this. See
lorries.raw[1…-1].each_with_index do |row, i|
breaks.
3) Created a step that works with the meaning of the UI not its
I agree with your sentiments. It’s how I access (and encourage others


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Zach D.
http://www.continuousthinking.com