Description

RSpec has been downloaded more than 100 million times and has inspired countless test frameworks in other languages. Use this influential Ruby testing framework to iteratively develop a project with the confidence that comes from well-tested code. This book guides you through creating a Ruby project with RSpec, and explores the individual components in detail.

Start by learning the basics of installing and using RSpec. Then build a real-world JSON API, using RSpec throughout the process to drive a BDD-style outside-in workflow. Apply an effective test strategy to write fast, robust tests that support evolutionary design through refactoring. The rest of the book provides the definitive guide to RSpec’s components. Use rspec-core’s metadata to slice and dice your spec suite. Dig into rspec-expectations’ matchers: compose them in flexible ways, specify expected outcomes with precision, and diagnose problems quickly with the help of good failure messages. Write fast, isolated tests with rspec-mocks’ test doubles while pushing your code toward simpler interfaces.

The authors, with a combined 20 years of automated testing experience, share testing wisdom that will lead to a fun, productive testing experience.

Contents and Extracts

<b>Introduction</b><br/> <b>Foreword</b>

• Getting Started
  • Getting Started With RSpec
    • Installing RSpec
    • Your First Spec
    • Understanding Failure
    • Sharing Setup (But Not Sandwiches)
    • Your Turn
  • From Writing Specs to Running Them <b>excerpt</b>
    • Customizing Your Specs’ Output
    • Identifying Slow Examples
    • Running Just What You Need
    • Marking Work in Progress
    • Your Turn
  • The RSpec Way
    • What Your Specs Are Doing for You
    • Comparing Costs and Benefits
    • Different Types of Specs
    • Guidelines
• Building an App With RSpec 3
  • Starting On the Outside: Acceptance Specs
    • First Steps
    • Deciding What to Test First
    • Checking the Response
    • Filling In the Response Body
    • Querying the Data
    • Saving Your Progress: Pending Specs
    • Your Turn
  • Testing in Isolation: Unit Specs
    • From Acceptance Specs to Unit Specs
    • Filling In the First Spec
    • Handling Success
    • Refactoring
    • Handling Failure
    • Defining the Ledger
    • Your Turn
  • Getting Real: Integration Specs
    • Hooking Up the Database
    • Testing Ledger Behavior
    • Testing the Invalid Case <b>excerpt</b>
    • Isolating Your Specs Using Database Transactions
    • Filling In the Behavior
    • Querying Expenses
    • Ensuring the Application Works for Real
    • Your Turn
• RSpec Core
  • Structuring Code Examples
    • Getting the Words Right
    • Sharing Common Logic
    • Sharing Example Groups
    • Your Turn
  • Slicing and Dicing Specs with Metadata
    • Defining Metadata
    • Reading Metadata
    • Selecting Which Specs to Run
    • Sharing Code Conditionally
    • Changing How Your Specs Run
    • Your Turn
  • Configuring RSpec
    • Command-Line Configuration
    • Setting Command-Line Defaults
    • Using a Custom Formatter
    • RSpec.configure
    • Your Turn
• RSpec Expectations
  • Exploring RSpec Expectations
    • Parts of an Expectation
    • How Matchers Work
    • Composing Matchers
    • Generated Example Descriptions
    • Your Turn
  • Matchers Included in RSpec Expectations
    • Primitive Matchers
    • Higher-Order Matchers
    • Block Matchers
    • Your Turn
  • Creating Custom Matchers
    • Delegating to Existing Matchers Using Helper Methods
    • Defining Matcher Aliases
    • Negating Matchers
    • Using the Matcher DSL
    • Defining a Matcher Class
    • Your Turn
• RSpec Mocks
  • Understanding Test Doubles
    • Types of Test Doubles
    • Usage Modes: Mocks, Stubs, and Spies
    • Origins: Pure, Partial, and Verifying Doubles <b>excerpt</b>
    • Your Turn
  • Customizing Test Doubles
    • Configuring Responses
    • Setting Constraints
    • Your Turn
  • Using Test Doubles Effectively
    • Constructing Your Test Environment
    • Stubject (Stubbing the Subject)
    • Using Partial Doubles Effectively
    • Connecting the Test Subject to Its Environment
    • The Risks of Mocking Third-Party Code
    • High-Fidelity Fakes
    • Faking I/O with StringIO
    • Wrapping a Third-Party Dependency
    • Your Turn