How to write a Scenario without using tables

[crisefd]

I was writing my test in Cucumber, but decided to move to Spinach. I had this scenario in my previous Cucumber tests:
Scenario: Test if a generated matrix is in fact, an L8 Taguchi array
Given the number of levels Q is 2
And N is 7
And J is 3
Then the resulting matrix should be:

       `| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

        | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |

        | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |

        | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |

        | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |

        | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |

        | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |

        | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |`

I know you do not support tables, but how then can I input my arrays ?

[ywen]

Write the result in the step file. The step can be:

Then the result matrix is correctly computed

Then in the step file

step "the result matrix is correctly computed" do
  expect(result).to eq(result_matrix)
end

[crisefd]

Ok, but if do this, I think the writen scenario is not readable enough.Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thougth the whole point of writing the scenarios in gherkin for acceptance tests was to allow anyone, even a customer, to read and understand the tests.

[ywen]

My own understanding is you need a different mindset when determining what is a good "reads and understands" test. I would write this test as (while I have no idea what Taguchi array is):

Feature: Generated matrix is an L8 Taguchi array
  As a role,
  In order to accomplish something
  I want to be able to have a correct algorithm on generating Taguchi array

  Scenario: Happy Path
    Given a reasonable input
    When I invoke the algorithm
    Then the algorithm outputs the desired result


  Scenario: N is out of bound 
    Given N is out of bound
    And other params are within normal range
    When I invoke the algorithm
    Then the algorithm handles N out of bound the error

Look at your original test, it does say what happens but it doesn't really say the intention of the tests, does it? I would argue the steps like N is 7 or the result should be (matrix) are rather noise that a customer doesn't really care about.

But this is just my opinion. In any case, when using spinach there is no way to write tests with such dynamic steps. If you feel strongly about to have these capacities you may also want to look into https://github.com/jnicklas/turnip

[crisefd]

I guess you have a point there. Thanks a lot by the way