Robot Framework vs gherkin

Overview

Robot Framework

Stacks345

Followers525

Votes120

gherkin

Stacks6

Followers6

Votes0

Robot Framework vs gherkin: What are the differences?

Robot Framework and Gherkin are two distinct tools used in the field of test automation and behavior-driven development (BDD). Here are the key differences between Robot Framework and Gherkin:

Syntax and Language: Robot Framework uses its own plain text syntax that is easily readable and understandable by both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Gherkin, on the other hand, utilizes a structured language with a specific keyword-based syntax, making it more aligned with natural language and suitable for specifying BDD scenarios.
Testing Framework vs. Specification Language: Robot Framework serves as both a testing framework and an automation tool, allowing users to define and execute test cases. Gherkin is a specification language designed specifically for BDD, providing a means to write human-readable descriptions of software behaviors, which can then be used for testing purposes.
Keyword-Driven Approach vs. Behavior-Driven Approach: Robot Framework follows a keyword-driven testing approach, where tests are created using keywords that define test steps and actions. Gherkin is inherently behavior-driven, emphasizing the description of software behaviors and interactions in a structured format, facilitating collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Test Execution and Automation: Robot Framework offers features for automating test execution and interacting with different test libraries and frameworks. Gherkin, while not designed for direct test automation, can be integrated with various testing frameworks like Cucumber to automate the execution of BDD scenarios.
Flexibility and Use Cases: Robot Framework is versatile and can be used for a wide range of testing types, including acceptance testing, regression testing, and more. Gherkin is specialized in specifying and documenting software behaviors, making it a powerful tool for communicating requirements and ensuring alignment between development and business teams.
Collaboration and Communication: Both Robot Framework and Gherkin emphasize collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Robot Framework's plain text syntax is more accessible to non-developers, while Gherkin's natural language approach makes it easier for business stakeholders to understand and participate in the specification process.

In summary, Robot Framework focuses on test automation and execution with a keyword-driven approach, while Gherkin serves as a specification language for describing software behaviors in a behavior-driven development context.

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Detailed Comparison

Robot Framework	gherkin
It is a generic test automation framework for acceptance testing and acceptance test-driven development. It has easy-to-use tabular test data syntax and it utilizes the keyword-driven testing approach. Its testing capabilities can be extended by test libraries implemented either with Python or Java, and users can create new higher-level keywords from existing ones using the same syntax that is used for creating test cases.	Gherkin parser.
Statistics
Stacks 345	Stacks 6
Followers 525	Followers 6
Votes 120	Votes 0
Pros & Cons
Pros 23 Easy with CI/CD 22 Open Source 21 Simple Usage 14 Easily extendable 13 Vast Scope more than Front End Cons 8 Nested Loops 1 Mostly for python 1 Devtooling is not there 0 Extensive library support 0 Mobile supports	No community feedback yet

What are some alternatives to Robot Framework, gherkin?

Karate DSL

Combines API test-automation, mocks and performance-testing into a single, unified framework. The BDD syntax popularized by Cucumber is language-neutral, and easy for even non-programmers. Besides powerful JSON & XML assertions, you can run tests in parallel for speed - which is critical for HTTP API testing.

Cucumber

Cucumber is a tool that supports Behaviour-Driven Development (BDD) - a software development process that aims to enhance software quality and reduce maintenance costs.

TestCafe

It is a pure node.js end-to-end solution for testing web apps. It takes care of all the stages: starting browsers, running tests, gathering test results and generating reports.

Spock Framework

It is a testing and specification framework for Java and Groovy applications. What makes it stand out from the crowd is its beautiful and highly expressive specification language. It is compatible with most IDEs, build tools, and continuous integration servers.

Selenide

It is a library for writing concise, readable, boilerplate-free tests in Java using Selenium WebDriver.

Capybara

Capybara helps you test web applications by simulating how a real user would interact with your app. It is agnostic about the driver running your tests and comes with Rack::Test and Selenium support built in. WebKit is supported through an external gem.

PHPUnit

PHPUnit is a programmer-oriented testing framework for PHP. It is an instance of the xUnit architecture for unit testing frameworks.

Detox

High velocity native mobile development requires us to adopt continuous integration workflows, which means our reliance on manual QA has to drop significantly. It tests your mobile app while it's running in a real device/simulator, interacting with it just like a real user.

Imagium

Imagium provides AI based visual testing solution for various forms of testing. It makes the job easier for QA Automation, Mobile Testers, DevOps and Compliance teams. Imagium is easy to integrate with any programing language

Codeception

Full-stack testing framework for PHP. Run browsers tests, framework tests, APIs tests, unit tests with ease.

Related Comparisons

Syntax and Language: Robot Framework uses its own plain text syntax that is easily readable and understandable by both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Gherkin, on the other hand, utilizes a structured language with a specific keyword-based syntax, making it more aligned with natural language and suitable for specifying BDD scenarios.
Testing Framework vs. Specification Language: Robot Framework serves as both a testing framework and an automation tool, allowing users to define and execute test cases. Gherkin is a specification language designed specifically for BDD, providing a means to write human-readable descriptions of software behaviors, which can then be used for testing purposes.
Keyword-Driven Approach vs. Behavior-Driven Approach: Robot Framework follows a keyword-driven testing approach, where tests are created using keywords that define test steps and actions. Gherkin is inherently behavior-driven, emphasizing the description of software behaviors and interactions in a structured format, facilitating collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Test Execution and Automation: Robot Framework offers features for automating test execution and interacting with different test libraries and frameworks. Gherkin, while not designed for direct test automation, can be integrated with various testing frameworks like Cucumber to automate the execution of BDD scenarios.
Flexibility and Use Cases: Robot Framework is versatile and can be used for a wide range of testing types, including acceptance testing, regression testing, and more. Gherkin is specialized in specifying and documenting software behaviors, making it a powerful tool for communicating requirements and ensuring alignment between development and business teams.
Collaboration and Communication: Both Robot Framework and Gherkin emphasize collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Robot Framework's plain text syntax is more accessible to non-developers, while Gherkin's natural language approach makes it easier for business stakeholders to understand and participate in the specification process.

Robot Framework vs gherkin