The difference between @Before hooks and Background in Cucumber lies in their purpose, usage, and execution context. Here’s a breakdown of their distinctions and when to use each:
Purpose
@Before Hooks
- Technical Setup:
@Beforehooks are used for technical setup tasks that need to be performed before each scenario. This can include initializing the test environment, starting a browser, clearing cookies, or setting up database connections.
Background
- Common Preconditions:
Backgroundis used to define a set of steps that are common to all scenarios in a feature file. It provides a way to specify context or preconditions that apply to multiple scenarios, making the scenarios cleaner and reducing redundancy.
Usage
@Before Hooks
- Flexibility: You can have multiple
@Beforehooks in a single test suite, and they can be executed in a specific order by setting their priority. This allows for a more granular control over the setup process.
Background
- Localized to Feature: The
Backgroundsection is specific to the feature file in which it is defined. It runs the specified steps before each scenario in that feature, but it cannot be reused across different feature files.
Execution Order
- Execution Sequence: The execution order is crucial:
- All
@Beforehooks are executed first, in the order they are defined. - After all
@Beforehooks have run, the steps in theBackgroundsection are executed. - Finally, the individual scenario steps are executed.
Example Execution Order:
@Before Hook 1 -> @Before Hook 2 -> ... -> Background Steps -> Scenario StepsWhen to Use
Use @Before When:
- You need to perform technical setup that is not specific to the behavior being tested.
- You want to execute setup tasks that may vary between different scenarios or feature files.
- You need to manage the execution order of multiple setup tasks.
Use Background When:
- You have a series of common steps that apply to all scenarios in a feature file.
- You want to enhance readability for non-technical stakeholders by providing context in a more user-friendly format.
- You are looking to reduce redundancy by avoiding the repetition of the same steps across multiple scenarios.
In summary, use @Before hooks for technical setup and flexibility, while Background is ideal for defining common preconditions that enhance the clarity and maintainability of your feature files.
