Key Difference Between Selenium and Cucumber
Selenium is an Automation Testing Framework that tests websites or web-based application software using Java or another programming language, while Cucumber uses ‘Gherkin Language’ to test any software application.
Both Selenium and Cucumber are open-source and free, however corporations are trying to integrate Cucumber onto Selenium because of its plain-text code and Selenium’s superior performance.
Selenium vs Cucumber Comparison Table
Despite their varied uses, Selenium and Cucumber are typically used together for automated testing in BDD. A comparison table shows Selenium and Cucumber’s main differences:
| Criteria | Selenium | Cucumber |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Browser automation tool for testing web applications. | BDD tool that supports behavior-driven development and test automation. |
| Language Support | Supports multiple programming languages such as Java, Python, C#, Ruby, and JavaScript. | Supports Gherkin language for writing feature files. Step definitions can be implemented in various programming languages, making it language-agnostic. |
| Testing Approach | Primarily used for functional and regression testing of web applications. | Focuses on behavior-driven development (BDD), allowing collaboration between developers, testers, and non-technical stakeholders. |
| Scripting | Requires scripting for test scenarios, and tests are written in programming languages like Java or Python. | Test scenarios are written in Gherkin, a human-readable language, promoting collaboration between technical and non-technical team members. |
| User Interaction | Automates browser interactions, such as clicking buttons, filling forms, and navigating through web pages. | Supports high-level, plain-text descriptions of software behaviors that can be easily understood by non-technical stakeholders. |
| Integration | Integrates with various testing frameworks like JUnit, TestNG, and others based on the programming language used. | Integrates with Selenium for browser automation and supports various programming languages for step definitions. |
| Parallel Execution | Supports parallel execution of tests on multiple browsers and platforms. | Can execute scenarios in parallel, improving test execution speed. Selenium can be integrated to execute tests in parallel across multiple browsers. |
| Reporting | Provides basic test reports through testing frameworks. Additional reporting tools like ExtentReports can be used for enhanced reporting. | Generates human-readable reports that clearly document the executed scenarios, making it easy to understand the test results. |
| Flexibility | Highly flexible for functional and regression testing but requires detailed scripting for test scenarios. | Provides flexibility for expressing requirements in a readable format but requires integration with Selenium or other automation tools for execution. |
| Expressiveness | Tests are written in a programming language, allowing for a high level of expressiveness and complexity. | Uses plain-text Gherkin syntax, promoting readability and collaboration but may have limitations in expressing complex scenarios. |
| Community Support | Large and active community, with extensive resources and support. | Active community support, with a focus on collaboration and sharing best practices for BDD. |
| Learning Curve | May have a steeper learning curve, especially for those new to programming or test automation. | Generally has a lower learning curve, particularly for non-technical stakeholders writing feature files in Gherkin. |
| Examples | – Selenium (Java): java WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();driver.get("https://example.com"); | – Cucumber Feature File: gherkin Feature: Example Feature Scenario: Open the website Given I am on the homepage When I click on the login link Then I should see the login page |