Selenium vs Cucumber: A Comprehensive Comparison Guide
Every industry has its own set of challenges and complexities; with the software industry, it is the tricky technical aspects that demand a certain level of expertise in order to deliver optimal results. Any developer, be it a beginner or an expert, knows that writing codes are not always an easy feat, especially when it comes to extensive projects that are layered in nature.
Even at its simplest, developing software is a task that needs to be treated with intricacy. It is a combination of multiple processes like coding, designing, and testing. Within these key tasks, there are sub-processes; for example, when it comes to coding, developers also have to consider syntax, declarations, garbage collection, statements, exceptions, and more. This is where a framework comes to a developer’s rescue, by helping them optimize the processes.
Frameworks comprise a set of rules or best practices that we can follow in a systematic way to achieve the desired results. They enable developers to drive the entire software development process using no more than a single platform. These frameworks are built, tested, and optimized by experienced software programmers, making them efficient, flexible, and robust.
Without the frameworks, a developer would ideally have to type every single code from scratch; but thanks to these effective tools, developers can focus on the high-level functionality of the application instead of dedicating time and effort to rewriting repetitive codes. Here are some of the popular frameworks and testing methods today: AngularJS, ReactJS, Spring, Express, Django, Cucumber, Node.js, GitHub, and the list goes on.
Today, many organizations choose to blend two technologies to build software and applications that are more intuitive – all with lesser efforts and costs. One of the best ways to achieve optimal results is by leveraging Selenium with Cucumber. How? Let’s start with the basics – what is Selenium and what is Cucumber testing. Then, we will move on to the more complex concepts – what is Cucumber in Selenium, and the primary differences between Selenium and Cucumber.
What Is Selenium?
Selenium is an open-source (free) automated testing framework. It is primarily used to validate web applications across different browsers and platforms. The beauty of Selenium lies in the fact that it is compatible with multiple programming languages like Java, JavaScript, C#, Ruby, Python, Perl, PHP, and Groovy, and such to create Selenium Test Scripts.
To put it simply, Selenium automates browsers. It is a popular testing framework equipped with a set of tools for testing web-based applications. Software development engineers in tests can use it to write test scripts in a range of programming languages, as well as execute those tests on multiple browsers. The code structure of this framework helps developers reuse the code, reduce code maintenance, and enhance code readability. It also enables multiple teams to collaborate on projects with ease.
Advantages of Selenium Frameworks:
- Ability to reuse generic codes
- Easy to maintain the codes
- Enhanced code readability
- Decreased time execution for tests
- Reduced script maintenance cost
- Easy reporting
What Is Cucumber?
Cucumber was originally written in the Ruby programming language to create code for testing and supports Behavior Driven Document (BDD). Today, this framework supports an impressive range of programming languages, including Java and JavaScript. What makes it one of the most effective and interesting frameworks to work with? It focuses on the end-user experience.
Another noteworthy feature is that Cucumber enables developers to write test scenarios using plain language; meaning that anyone with little technical knowledge can master the art of writing test codes with this framework. It translates the expected behavior of software in a layman’s language so that consumers, business owners can easily understand. The codes written for testing can be easily reused in other test cases. The framework is exceptionally adept at running automated acceptance tests, and consists of these terms:
- Feature: It describes the feature written in a file that is used to write the steps for automation tests.
- Scenario: It defines the functionality that needs to be tested.
- Give-When-Then: It provides information on conditions that are pre-condition, postcondition, and execution.
- And (|): It is being used to combine two or more actions.
- But: It is being used to intersect two or more actions or commands
Differences Between Selenium vs Cucumber
Both Selenium and Cucumber share some features. They are both open-source and used for functional testing. But these similarities are limited; the list of differences is a longer one. The basic and the most important difference lies in the fact that Selenium is used to automate web browsers, and Cucumber is used for behavior-driven development (BDD). Let’s explore some more differences in detail to better understand the functionality of both of these powerful tools.
| Selenium | Cucumber |
| Selenium is generally considered an automation tool for web applications. | Cucumber is essentially a behavior-driven development tool that can be used with Selenium (or Appium). |
| Selenium is preferred by technical teams (SDETs/programmers). | Cucumber is typically preferred by non-technical teams (business stakeholders and testers). |
| Selenium is used for functional and performance automation UI testing. | Cucumber is used for acceptance testing. |
| In Selenium, test scripts can be written in Java, C#, and other languages. | In Cucumber, test scripts are written in plain text language according to the rules of the Gherkin language. |
| Selenium script creation is complex; meaning that the scripts are harder to read for the non-technical departments. | Script creation in Cucumber is much simpler, making it easy for the technical and the non-technical teams to work in sync. |
| Selenium can work independently of Cucumber. | Cucumber depends on Selenium or Appium for step-definition implementation. |
| In Selenium, we can use conditional statements effectively and easily. | In Cucumber, we cannot use these statements like the ‘if statement’. |
| Selenium is slightly tricky to install. | Cucumber involves quick set-up and installation. |
| Selenium works wonders when it comes to executing test scripts. | The execution of test scripts is a much slower process with Cucumber. |
| In Selenium, syntax errors are easy to find while developing. | In cucumber, syntax errors are not getting noticed while writing. |
| When it comes to plug-ins, they work much slower with Selenium. | With Cucumber, plug-ins work much faster and more effectively. |
Why Use Cucumber With Selenium?
There is nothing better than two thoughtfully-built technologies coming together to bring you the best of both worlds. Selenium can work wonders when paired with any of the programming languages, but there is certainly something unique about leveraging Selenium Automation with Cucumber.
Some organizations implement Cucumber within a Selenium framework to allow for reliable test automation that emphasizes plain language. With this combination, they can develop a shared understanding of how software should perform, ensuring easy collaboration between technical and non-technical teams. They also brilliantly automate web testing across browsers at a grander scale.
Get The Best Selenium Training In Pune With Cyber Success
The demand for Automation Testing is on the rise. To contribute to fulfilling this demand, industry experts at Cyber Success have thoughtfully designed the Selenium Automation courses. We start with the basic knowledge of the Selenium testing tool; finally introducing students to the new ways of making the most of this technology. This is followed by detailed knowledge of Selenium server installation, cookies, drag, and drop, and such.
Why Cyber Success? Our course also features live examples, play way method of training, technical quiz sessions! In addition, you can opt for demonstration classes hosted by industry professionals to gain a proper introduction to the field; to understand its many possibilities and exciting opportunities. If you are looking for excellent Selenium classes near me, contact us today at (+91) 9168665643, (+91) 9168665644, or drop an email at hello@cybersuccess.biz.
