Cucumber vs Gherkin: An Elaborate Comparison

Cucumber is a tool for executing BDD tests, while Gherkin is a language for writing them. They work together to enhance collaboration and automate testing, bridging gaps between technical and non-technical teams.

Steven Ang Cheong Seng

Steven Ang Cheong Seng

13 May 2025

Cucumber vs Gherkin: An Elaborate Comparison

In the world of software development, Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) has emerged as a powerful methodology that bridges the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Two key components of BDD are Cucumber and Gherkin. While they are often mentioned together, they serve distinct purposes. This article explores the differences between Cucumber and Gherkin, their roles in BDD, and how they complement each other to facilitate effective software testing.

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What is Cucumber?

Cucumber is an open-source tool designed to support BDD by allowing developers to write tests in a natural language that stakeholders can understand. Originally developed for Ruby, Cucumber now supports various programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, Python, and .NET. It is widely used for writing automated acceptance tests that describe the expected behavior of software applications.

Cucumber works by executing test cases written in the Gherkin language. It reads the scenarios described in Gherkin and maps them to code that performs the actual testing. This makes it an invaluable tool for ensuring that software behaves as expected from a user's perspective.

What is Gherkin?

Gherkin is a domain-specific language used by Cucumber to define test cases. It is designed to be human-readable, allowing non-technical stakeholders to understand the scenarios being tested. Gherkin uses a simple syntax with keywords like Feature, Scenario, Given, When, Then, And, and But to describe the behavior of software systems.

Each line in a Gherkin file represents a step in a test case. The language's simplicity and readability make it accessible to business analysts, managers, and developers alike, fostering collaboration across teams.

Key Differences Between Cucumber and Gherkin

AspectCucumberGherkin
PurposeExecutes tests written in GherkinDefines test cases in a human-readable format
TypeSoftware toolDomain-specific language
Role in BDDFacilitates automated testingProvides syntax for writing test scenarios
TechnicalityRequires programming knowledge for implementationDesigned for non-technical stakeholders

How Cucumber and Gherkin Work Together

Cucumber and Gherkin work hand-in-hand to facilitate BDD. Here's how they complement each other:

  1. Writing Tests: Test cases are written in Gherkin using plain language that describes how the software should behave. These descriptions are stored in .feature files.
  2. Mapping Steps: Each step in a Gherkin scenario is mapped to code through step definitions. These definitions are written in a programming language supported by Cucumber (e.g., Java, Python).
  3. Executing Tests: Cucumber reads the Gherkin scenarios and executes them by running the corresponding code defined in the step definitions.
  4. Generating Reports: After execution, Cucumber provides reports indicating which scenarios passed or failed, helping teams understand the current state of their software.

Advantages of Using Cucumber and Gherkin

Challenges and Considerations

While Cucumber and Gherkin offer numerous benefits, there are some challenges to consider:

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Conclusion

Cucumber and Gherkin are powerful tools that enhance the BDD process by making it easier for teams to define, automate, and understand software behavior. While they serve different roles—Cucumber as an execution tool and Gherkin as a descriptive language—they work together seamlessly to ensure that software meets business requirements.

By leveraging these tools effectively, teams can improve collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders, enhance documentation quality, and streamline their testing processes. However, like any methodology or toolset, careful consideration should be given to whether they align with your project's goals and constraints before adoption.

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