Description of the "And" Experimental feature for RSpec/Given (was "Also")

and_example_spec.rb

# Experimental And Clauses
#
# I've been thinking about tests where there are multiple Thens
# in a single context.  All the Givens and before blocks are run
# for each Then.  Since Then's are idempotent, that seems to be a waste.
#
# Maybe we can introduce And clauses.  They are like Then clauses, but
# they reuse the Givens of an existing Then clause.  This could make a 
# difference in spec that have expensive setups.
#
# Example:

  context "with one item" do
    Given(:initial_contents) { [:an_item] }

    context "when popping" do
      When(:pop_result) { stack.pop }

      Then { pop_result.should == :an_item }
      And  { stack.depth.should == 0 }
    end
  end

# Some Limitations
#
# (1) And clauses are run after the first Then clause in a context. It
# is an error to have an Also clause without a Then.
#
# (2) And clauses are not independent, a failure in a Then or an early
# And clause will cause the remaining And clauses to _not_ be run.
#
# Limitation 2 is a technical limitation.  Essentially the And clauses are running
# in the same "spec/test" as the its parent Then.  It would be nice if there
# was a way to report multiple spec failures in a single spec run.
#
# RSpec/Given 2.1.0.beta.4 has this experimental feature. Try it with:
#
#    gem install --pre rspec-given

I think this is a fantastic option. I've done enough Then { a.should == :a; b.should == :b } to say that having an Also would help clean some of this up.

I like the idea. I was just curious if there is a reason why you chose not to follow the And/But syntax of cucumber?

I'll second glanotte's thoughts. Using the "And/But" syntax of cucumber and maintaining that consistency would certainly have benefits for those using both. I know I'd be writing "Also" in my cukes, and "And" in my rspec at that point!

I really miss them as a rspec user. +1

yes please and I would also go for the "And" keyword.

I think it woud be a great addition

Definitely a big fan of the addition.

I make the explicit choice to use Also rather than And because I felt the semantics were different from Cucumber's And. After consideration (and weighing all the comments) I don't think the difference will be confusing, so we will go with "And" for the name of the clause.

Thanks for the feedback.