Head-to-Head: Cucumber.js vs Ava Analysis

@cucumber/cucumber

v10.8.0(2 months ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 41Monthly npm downloads

@cucumber/cucumber is a powerful tool for behavior-driven development (BDD) that allows teams to write executable specifications in a human-readable format. It enables collaboration between stakeholders, testers, and developers by providing a common language to describe application behavior. With @cucumber/cucumber, you can automate tests based on these specifications, ensuring that the software meets the desired behavior.

Alternatives:
jest-cucumber+
chai+
mocha+
jasmine+
ava+
tape+
qunit+
jest+
cypress-cucumber-preprocessor+
testcafe+

Tags: javascripttestingBDDcollaborationautomation

ava

v6.1.3(3 months ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 40Monthly npm downloads

AVA is a minimalistic and futuristic test runner for Node.js and browser environments. It is known for its concise syntax, fast execution, and parallel test runs, making it ideal for efficient and reliable testing of JavaScript code. AVA provides a simple and intuitive API for writing tests, with support for async functions, generators, and promises. It also offers built-in support for ES modules and TypeScript, ensuring compatibility with modern JavaScript development practices.

Alternatives:
jest+
mocha+
chai+
jasmine+
tape+
qunit+
jest-circus+
vitest+
cypress+
playwright-test+

Tags: javascripttestingtest-runnernode.jsbrowser

Fight!

Popularity

Both @cucumber/cucumber and Ava are popular npm packages in their respective domains. @cucumber/cucumber is widely used for behavior-driven development (BDD) and acceptance testing, especially in the context of Cucumber.js. Ava, on the other hand, is a popular choice for writing test cases and running tests in the JavaScript ecosystem.

Testing Framework

The main purpose of @cucumber/cucumber is to provide a testing framework for behavior-driven development. It allows you to write tests in a human-readable format using Gherkin syntax and supports features like step definitions, scenario outlines, and data tables. Ava, on the other hand, is a general-purpose testing framework that focuses on simplicity and parallel test execution. It provides a straightforward API for writing test cases and supports various testing styles.

Test Runner

@cucumber/cucumber comes with its own test runner, which executes tests written in Gherkin syntax. It provides features like scenario isolation, parallel execution, and reporting. Ava, on the other hand, is a test runner itself. It can run tests written using various testing frameworks and provides features like parallel test execution, code coverage, and test result reporting.

Developer Experience

Both packages offer a good developer experience, but they have different focuses. @cucumber/cucumber is designed to facilitate collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders by providing a common language for expressing requirements and tests. It has a more verbose syntax due to the Gherkin language. Ava, on the other hand, focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It has a concise and expressive API for writing test cases and provides helpful error messages.

Integration

@cucumber/cucumber integrates well with other tools in the Cucumber ecosystem, such as Cucumber.js and Cucumber JVM. It can be used for end-to-end testing, integration testing, and acceptance testing. Ava, on the other hand, is a standalone testing framework that can be easily integrated into any JavaScript project. It supports various test runners, assertion libraries, and mocking frameworks.

Community and Documentation

Both @cucumber/cucumber and Ava have active communities and good documentation. @cucumber/cucumber has a dedicated community around behavior-driven development and Cucumber.js, which provides extensive resources and support. Ava also has a strong community and offers comprehensive documentation with examples and guides.