Introduction: The Role of Gherkin Language in Modern Software Development
In the fast-paced world of software development, ensuring that applications meet both business and user expectations is paramount. Achieving this alignment requires a collaborative approach that bridges the gap between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders. Enter Gherkin language, the unsung hero of Behavior-Driven Development (BDD).
Gherkin serves as a powerful tool to create clear, concise, and actionable requirements. Written in plain English, it provides a structured syntax that both humans and machines can interpret. This makes Gherkin an indispensable part of BDD, helping teams automate tests while maintaining a shared understanding of project goals. In this blog post, we’ll explore what Gherkin is, how it works, and why it’s a game-changer for software teams.
What is Gherkin Language?
Gherkin is a domain-specific language designed to describe software behaviors in a way that is accessible to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Its simplicity lies in its human-readable format, which uses a predefined set of keywords to outline features, scenarios, and their expected outcomes. Unlike traditional requirements documentation, Gherkin ensures clarity and uniformity, reducing the risk of misinterpretation.
At its core, Gherkin enables teams to define Features (the high-level functionality of an application) and break them down into Scenarios (specific examples of how the feature should behave). Scenarios are written using structured steps such as Given (setting up the context), When (defining the action), and Then (describing the expected result). This approach ensures that requirements are both testable and aligned with business objectives.
The Structure and Syntax of Gherkin
Gherkin’s syntax is designed for simplicity and consistency. Each file begins with a Feature declaration, followed by scenarios that describe individual test cases. These scenarios use steps to outline the flow of events in a consistent, easy-to-understand format.
Example of Gherkin Syntax
Feature: User Authentication
As a user, I want to log into my account,
So that I can access my personalized dashboard.
Scenario: Successful login
Given a registered user with valid credentials
When the user enters their username and password
Then they should be redirected to the dashboard
And see a welcome message.
Scenario: Failed login
Given a registered user with invalid credentials
When the user enters incorrect login details
Then they should see an error message
And remain on the login page.
This structured format makes it easy for all team members to understand the requirements while also serving as executable documentation. Tools like Cucumber, SpecFlow, and Behave can directly convert these scenarios into automated tests.
Why Gherkin is Essential for BDD
The primary benefit of Gherkin is its ability to act as a single source of truth. It bridges the communication gap between business stakeholders, developers, and QA teams by providing a shared language. Non-technical stakeholders can contribute to writing or reviewing scenarios, ensuring that the software aligns with business needs.
Moreover, Gherkin’s integration with BDD frameworks automates testing, saving time and reducing manual effort. Once scenarios are defined, developers map them to code, allowing automated tests to verify the behavior of the application. This ensures continuous alignment between requirements and implementation, even as the software evolves.
Best Practices for Writing Gherkin Scenarios
Writing effective Gherkin scenarios requires precision and clarity. Here are some best practices to follow:
-
Keep Scenarios Simple and Focused:
Each scenario should test one specific behavior. Avoid combining multiple conditions in a single scenario to ensure clarity and maintainability. -
Use Consistent Language:
Stick to consistent terminology when defining steps. This reduces ambiguity and ensures scenarios are easily understood by everyone. -
Avoid Technical Jargon:
Gherkin is designed for all stakeholders, so avoid using technical terms that non-technical team members may not understand. -
Collaborate When Writing Scenarios:
Involve business analysts, product owners, and QA engineers in the creation of scenarios to ensure comprehensive coverage of requirements.
Understanding Gherkin Steps: Given, When, Then, And, But, Background
Gherkin is a language used in Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) to write structured and readable test cases that describe the behavior of an application from the user's perspective. The syntax is simple and intuitive, relying on a series of keywords to define different parts of a scenario. The main Gherkin keywords are Given, When, Then, And, But, and Background. Let’s break down each one:
1. GivenDescribe the initial context of the situation - the scene of the scenario
The Given step sets up the initial context or preconditions for the scenario. It defines the state of the system or the environment before any action takes place. This step establishes the "starting point" or "setup" of the scenario, ensuring that the system is in the correct state for the following actions.
Example:
Given the user is logged into the system
In this example, the precondition is that the user is already logged in before any interaction occurs.
Some other examples:
Given I am logged in
Given I have a product in the shopping basket
Given I have a balance of 80
Given I am registered user
2. WhenDescribe the event or the action and it is triggered by an actor whether a person or another system
The When step describes the action or event that triggers a change in the system’s behavior. It represents the user's interaction with the system, such as clicking a button, entering data, or making a selection. This step focuses on what causes the system to change.
Example:
When the user clicks the "Submit" button
Here, the action is the user clicking the "Submit" button, which will cause some change or result.
Some other examples:
When I click the login button
When I click the add to cart button
When I click the checkout button
When I click the checkout button
When I press the clear button
When credit amount is received
When withdrawal succeeds
3. ThenDescribe the result or the outcome of the action
The Then step defines the expected outcome or result of the action specified in the When step. It describes the system's behavior or the changes in state that should occur as a consequence of the action. The Then step asserts that the system behaves as expected.
Example:
Then the user should see a confirmation message
This step specifies what should happen after the user clicks "Submit." The system should display a confirmation message, which is the expected outcome.
Some other examples:
Then the user should be redirected to the dashboard
Then the user should see the product in the shopping basket
Then the balance should be updated to 70
Then the user should receive a confirmation email
4. AndCan be used if there are multiple Given, When, or Then steps and it makes the scenario more readable
The And step is used to add additional conditions or actions to either the Given, When, or Then steps. It allows you to chain multiple conditions or actions together, making scenarios more concise and readable. And can be used as a continuation of any of the other steps.
Given something
Given something else
Given another thing
# Re-written with And
Given something
And something else
And another thing
Then some result
Then something should happen
Then something else should happen
# Re-written with And
Then some result
And something should happen
And something else should happen
Example:
Given the user is on the login page
Given the user has entered valid credentials
# Re-written with And
Given the user is on the login page
And the user has entered valid credentials
Here, And is used to add another precondition to the scenario. It’s building on the Given step to define additional context for the test.
Some other examples:
Given the user is on the checkout page
And the user has selected the express shipping option
And the user has entered their payment details
When the user clicks the "Submit" button
And the system processes the request
Then the user should see a confirmation message
And receive an email notification
5. ButCan be used when the expected result is implied negative
The But step functions similarly to And, but it typically introduces an exception or a contradiction to the scenario. It can be used to describe an alternative path or condition that may cause the system to behave differently.
Then some result
Then something should happen
# Re-written with But
Then some result
But something else should not happen
Example:
But the password is incorrect
In this case, But adds an exception, indicating that even though the user is logged in, the system should handle the scenario where the password is incorrect, triggering an alternative behavior or outcome.
Then control is in Edit mode
And Save button is visible
And Edit button is not visible
# Re-written with But
Then control is in Edit mode
And Save button is visible
But Edit button is not visible
6. BackgroundCan be used to define steps that should be executed before each scenario in a feature file
The Background step provides a way to set up common preconditions for multiple scenarios in a feature file. It allows you to define steps that should be executed before each scenario, eliminating repetition and improving the readability of the feature file.
Example:
Scenario: example
Given I am logged in
And I have permissions to access the dashboard
When I navigate to the dashboard
Then I should be able to edit the posts
Scenario: another example
Given I am logged in
And I have permissions to access the dashboard
When I navigate to the dashboard
Then I should be able to delete the posts
# Re-written with Background
Background:
Given I am logged in
And I have permissions to access the dashboard
Scenario: example
When I navigate to the dashboard
Then I should be able to edit the posts
Scenario: another example
When I navigate to the dashboard
Then I should be able to delete the posts
In this example, the Background section ensures that for every scenario in the feature, the user will start from the same initial conditions. It’s an efficient way to reuse steps that apply to multiple scenarios without repeating them in each one.
7. * (Asterisk)Can be used to define a list things
The Asterisk step is used to define a list of things or items in a scenario. It can be used to enumerate multiple conditions, actions, or outcomes in a concise and readable format.
Examples:
Given the user is on the login page
And the user has entered valid credentials
And the user clicks the "Submit" button
# Re-written with Asterisk
Given the user is on the login page
And the user has entered valid credentials
* the user clicks the "Submit" button
Given I am grocery shopping
Given I buy apples
Given I buy bananas
Given I buy oranges
# Re-written with Asterisk
Given I am grocery shopping
* I buy apples
* I buy bananas
* I buy oranges
Summary of some Gherkin Keywords
Understanding and using these Gherkin keywords is essential for writing clear and maintainable scenarios. Each keyword—Given, When, Then, And, But, and Background—helps structure your BDD tests in a readable and logical format. By combining them effectively, you can express complex business requirements in simple, understandable terms that bridge the gap between business stakeholders, developers, and testers. Whether you are setting up the context, specifying actions, or outlining expected outcomes, mastering these Gherkin steps is key to successful BDD practices.
Who Is the Gherkin Language For?
Gherkin language is an invaluable tool for a wide range of roles involved in software development. Its human-readable syntax and collaborative nature make it accessible to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Let’s explore how different professionals benefit from using Gherkin.
1. Business Analyst
Business analysts play a critical role in bridging the gap between business needs and technical implementation. Gherkin provides them with a clear and structured way to define requirements in plain language. By collaborating on feature files, business analysts can ensure that the documented scenarios align with business goals and reflect real-world use cases.
Through Gherkin, business analysts can actively participate in discussions with developers and QA engineers, validating that requirements are testable and complete. This fosters a shared understanding across the team, reducing miscommunication and ensuring that the final product meets stakeholder expectations.
2. Quality Engineer
Quality engineers rely on Gherkin to automate and validate test cases. With Gherkin’s structured steps like Given, When, and Then, they can write scenarios that directly map to automated test scripts. Tools like Cucumber or SpecFlow then convert these scenarios into executable tests, streamlining the testing process.
Additionally, Gherkin enables quality engineers to focus on behavior rather than implementation details. This behavior-driven approach ensures that tests verify the software’s functionality from a user’s perspective, enhancing overall product quality.
3. Software Developer
For developers, Gherkin acts as a blueprint that guides implementation. The clear scenarios defined in Gherkin files provide actionable details about expected system behavior, helping developers translate business requirements into code.
Gherkin also supports test-driven development (TDD) practices by allowing developers to create tests before writing the actual functionality. This ensures that the code meets predefined criteria from the outset, reducing rework and improving code quality.
4. Product Owner
Product owners are responsible for ensuring that the product delivers value to users. Gherkin empowers product owners to participate in the requirements definition process without needing technical expertise. By reviewing and contributing to Gherkin scenarios, product owners can validate that features align with user needs and business objectives.
The shared understanding fostered by Gherkin also helps product owners communicate priorities and expectations to the team, ensuring that development efforts stay aligned with the product vision.
5. Requirements Engineer
For requirements engineers, Gherkin is an ideal tool to create detailed, unambiguous specifications. Its plain-text format ensures that requirements are easy to understand and can be directly translated into testable scenarios.
Gherkin’s structure also allows requirements engineers to document edge cases and alternative flows systematically. This completeness reduces the risk of missed requirements and ensures that the delivered software is robust and reliable.
6. Business Owner
While business owners may not directly write Gherkin scenarios, they are key beneficiaries of its use. Gherkin ensures that the software development process remains transparent, allowing business owners to see how requirements are implemented and validated.
The ability to review scenarios in plain language gives business owners confidence that the development team is aligned with their vision. It also helps them verify that key business goals are addressed, reducing the likelihood of surprises during product delivery.
Gherkin: A Tool for Everyone
Gherkin’s versatility makes it an essential tool for diverse roles in the software development lifecycle. By providing a common language, it fosters collaboration, ensures alignment, and helps deliver high-quality software that meets user and business needs. Whether you’re a technical expert or a business stakeholder, Gherkin empowers you to contribute to the success of the project effectively.
Using Gherkin as a Universal Language
One of the most powerful aspects of Gherkin is its role as a universal language that bridges the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. In software development, miscommunication between teams is a common challenge. Gherkin’s plain-text, human-readable syntax eliminates ambiguity, ensuring everyone on the team can understand and contribute to the development process.
Breaking Down Barriers
Gherkin serves as a shared medium for collaboration among diverse roles such as developers, testers, business analysts, product owners, and even business stakeholders. Its simple structure, based on keywords like Given, When, and Then, allows anyone to describe software behavior in a clear and concise manner.
For example, a business analyst can write a Gherkin scenario that outlines a customer’s expected experience when using a feature. The same scenario can be reviewed and implemented by developers, tested by quality engineers, and validated by product owners. This universality ensures that everyone has a common understanding of the feature's goals and functionality.
Enhancing Collaboration Across Teams
The universality of Gherkin encourages collaboration and reduces silos in the software development lifecycle. Business stakeholders no longer have to rely solely on technical documentation, which they might find difficult to interpret. Instead, they can engage directly with Gherkin scenarios, contributing valuable insights and catching potential issues early in the process.
Developers and testers also benefit from this shared language, as it aligns expectations and reduces the back-and-forth typically required to clarify requirements. Gherkin makes it easier to build consensus across teams, ensuring that software meets both business and user needs.
A Language for Agility and Scalability
Gherkin’s universal nature makes it particularly effective in Agile and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) environments. Agile emphasizes close collaboration and iterative development, and Gherkin complements this by providing a transparent, living document of requirements.
As projects scale, Gherkin’s simplicity ensures that new team members can quickly understand and contribute to existing scenarios without extensive onboarding. This scalability is critical in fast-paced development cycles where time is a key factor.
Conclusion: The Power of a Shared Language
Using Gherkin as a universal language transforms the way teams communicate and collaborate. It fosters inclusivity by allowing both technical and non-technical stakeholders to participate meaningfully in the software development process. By aligning teams around a shared understanding, Gherkin not only improves the quality of the final product but also strengthens the relationships and processes that drive innovation.
Gathering Business Requirements with Gherkin Language
Gherkin language is a powerful tool for gathering business requirements because it translates complex needs into simple, structured scenarios that are easy for both technical and non-technical stakeholders to understand. By focusing on behaviors rather than technical details, Gherkin enables teams to define clear, actionable requirements that directly address business objectives.
Turning Requirements into Scenarios
When gathering business requirements, stakeholders often describe their needs in broad terms or through abstract goals. Gherkin helps refine these into concrete, testable scenarios using its Given-When-Then syntax. For example, instead of saying, “Users should be able to log in,” Gherkin encourages stakeholders to describe the behavior in detail:
Scenario: Successful login
Given a registered user exists with username "user123" and password "password123"
When the user enters their credentials correctly and clicks "Login"
Then the user should be redirected to their dashboard
This level of specificity reduces ambiguity and ensures that everyone has the same understanding of the requirement. It also creates a foundation for testing, as each scenario can directly translate into automated or manual tests.
Engaging Stakeholders in the Process
Gherkin promotes active participation from all stakeholders, including business analysts, product owners, and even end-users. During requirement-gathering workshops, stakeholders can articulate their needs in plain language while collaboratively drafting Gherkin scenarios.
For instance, a product owner might express that customers need a way to track their orders. Through discussions with the team, this high-level requirement can be refined into multiple Gherkin scenarios covering various edge cases:
Scenario: Viewing order details
Given a customer has placed an order
When they navigate to the "My Orders" page and select an order
Then they should see the order's details, including items, shipping address, and status
This process ensures that no critical details are overlooked and that the requirements align with both business goals and user expectations.
Streamlining Communication and Validation
Using Gherkin for requirement gathering also acts as a validation tool. Once scenarios are drafted, stakeholders can review them to confirm that they accurately capture the intended behavior. This iterative process fosters collaboration and reduces the risk of misunderstandings or misaligned expectations.
Moreover, Gherkin scenarios can act as living documentation. As requirements evolve, the scenarios can be updated, ensuring that the documentation remains relevant and that the team maintains a shared understanding of the project’s goals.
Bridging the Gap Between Business and Development
The structured nature of Gherkin helps bridge the gap between business requirements and development tasks. Developers can use the scenarios to guide implementation, while testers can design test cases based directly on the documented behavior. This continuity ensures that the final product meets the business needs outlined in the requirements phase.
By making requirements tangible, Gherkin transforms abstract business needs into actionable, testable, and collaborative deliverables, ensuring smoother transitions from ideation to execution.
Writing User Stories with Gherkin Language
User stories are essential artifacts in agile development, providing a concise way to capture a feature or functionality from the end-user’s perspective. Gherkin language complements user stories by providing a structured format to elaborate on the "what" and "why" of a feature with detailed behavioral scenarios. By integrating Gherkin into user story creation, teams can achieve clarity, alignment, and testable documentation.
Enhancing User Stories with Gherkin
A standard user story typically follows the format:
As a [role], I want [feature] so that [benefit].
While this format effectively outlines the goal, it often lacks specifics on how the system should behave. Gherkin fills this gap by detailing the acceptance criteria using its Given-When-Then syntax. For instance:
User Story:
As a customer, I want to receive an email confirmation after placing an order so that I have a record of my purchase.
Gherkin Acceptance Criteria:
Scenario: Order confirmation email is sent
Given a customer has placed an order
When the order is successfully processed
Then an email confirmation should be sent to the customer's registered email address
And the email should include the order details
By pairing user stories with Gherkin scenarios, teams create a clear, testable narrative for both stakeholders and developers. This approach ensures alignment between what the user expects and how the system behaves.
Breaking Down User Stories into Multiple Scenarios
User stories often encompass various behaviors and edge cases. Gherkin enables teams to break down these complexities into manageable, testable scenarios.
Example:
User Story:
As a customer, I want to track my order status so that I know when to expect delivery.
Scenarios in Gherkin:
Scenario: Viewing order status for shipped orders
Given a customer has placed an order that has been shipped
When the customer views the order in their account
Then the status should display as "Shipped"
And the estimated delivery date should be shown
Scenario: Viewing order status for pending orders
Given a customer has placed an order that is still processing
When the customer views the order in their account
Then the status should display as "Processing"
And no estimated delivery date should be shown
Breaking down stories into multiple Gherkin scenarios ensures that all possible use cases are documented and considered. This level of detail reduces ambiguity and makes it easier to implement and test functionality.
Aligning Business and Development Teams
Writing user stories with Gherkin brings stakeholders, developers, and testers onto the same page. Business teams can verify that the scenarios align with user needs, while developers and testers gain a clear blueprint for implementation and validation.
The collaborative nature of Gherkin-writing sessions encourages teams to address potential gaps or misunderstandings early. For example, a business analyst might write the initial user story and scenarios, while developers and testers contribute by identifying technical constraints or additional edge cases.
Living Documentation and Continuous Improvement
When user stories are written with Gherkin, they serve as living documentation throughout the project lifecycle. As features evolve or requirements change, the scenarios can be updated to reflect the latest behavior, ensuring ongoing relevance and accuracy.
By combining the simplicity of user stories with the precision of Gherkin, teams can create a robust framework for capturing, testing, and implementing features that align with business goals and user expectations. This synergy between storytelling and structured scenarios ensures a smoother development process and higher-quality outcomes.
Conclusion: Gherkin as a Catalyst for Collaboration
Gherkin language is more than just a tool for writing test cases—it’s a framework for collaboration, clarity, and alignment in software development. By providing a common language that all team members can understand, it breaks down silos and ensures that everyone works toward the same goal.
Its structured, human-readable syntax makes it the perfect companion for BDD, allowing teams to automate testing while maintaining a clear focus on business objectives. Whether you’re a developer, product owner, or QA engineer, mastering Gherkin is a step toward building software that meets user needs with precision and efficiency.
By adopting Gherkin and following best practices, your team can unlock the full potential of BDD, delivering high-quality software that exceeds expectations in today’s competitive landscape.
Deep Dive into Gherkin Language With These 5 Books
Here’s a curated list of five books that can help you deep-dive into Gherkin and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), providing a mix of practical examples, conceptual understanding, and best practices:
1. Specification by Example by Gojko Adzic
- Why It’s Valuable:
This book is a cornerstone for understanding the principles of Specification by Example, which is closely aligned with BDD and Gherkin practices. It offers practical guidance on collaboratively defining requirements and tests in natural language. - Key Topics Covered:
- Collaborative requirement gathering.
- Living documentation with executable specifications.
- Practical examples of using Gherkin in real-world projects.
2. The Cucumber Book: Behaviour-Driven Development for Testers and Developers by Matt Wynne and Aslak Hellesøy
- Why It’s Valuable:
Written by the creators of Cucumber, this book dives deeply into Gherkin and its application within the BDD ecosystem. It’s a hands-on guide that teaches how to write and automate Gherkin scenarios. - Key Topics Covered:
- Gherkin syntax and best practices.
- Automating Gherkin scenarios with Cucumber.
- Tips for collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
3. Discovery: Explore Behaviour Using Examples by Gáspár Nagy and Seb Rose
- Why It’s Valuable:
This book focuses on the discovery phase of BDD, providing insights into how to explore, define, and capture behaviors using Gherkin. It emphasizes collaboration and example-mapping techniques. - Key Topics Covered:
- Writing effective Given-When-Then scenarios.
- Techniques for facilitating conversations with Gherkin.
- Bridging the gap between business and development.
4. BDD in Action: Behavior-Driven Development for the Whole Software Lifecycle by John Ferguson Smart
- Why It’s Valuable:
This comprehensive guide explores BDD beyond just writing scenarios. It introduces Gherkin as a tool for collaboration and highlights its role in automation and continuous delivery pipelines. - Key Topics Covered:
- Writing feature files in Gherkin.
- Integrating BDD with testing and DevOps workflows.
- Real-world examples and case studies.
5. Writing Great Specifications: Using Specification by Example and Gherkin by Kamil Nicieja
- Why It’s Valuable:
Focused entirely on Gherkin and Specification by Example, this book is a practical guide to writing clear, maintainable, and effective specifications. It’s particularly useful for teams transitioning to BDD. - Key Topics Covered:
- Structuring Gherkin scenarios effectively.
- Avoiding common pitfalls in writing feature files.
- Advanced tips for maintaining living documentation.
Bonus Tip: Combine Reading with Hands-On Practice
While books provide a solid foundation, pairing them with hands-on practice using tools like Cucumber, SpecFlow, or Behave is crucial. Apply the concepts you learn by writing real Gherkin scenarios for projects or exercises.