Knapsack Pro

Test::Unit vs Spinach comparison of testing frameworks
What are the differences between Test::Unit and Spinach?

Test::Unit

https://test-unit.github.io/

Spinach

https://github.com/codegram/spinach
Programming language

Ruby

Ruby

Category

Unit Testing, Intergration Testing

Acceptance Testing

General info

Test::Unit is a unit testing framework for Ruby

Test::Unit is an implementation of the xUnit testing framework for ruby which is used for Unit Testing. However Test::Unit has been left in the standard library to support legacy test suites therefore if you are writing new test code use Minitest instead of Test::Unit

Spinach is a BDD framework on top of Gherkin

Spinach is a high-level BDD framework that leverages the Gherkin language to help define executable specifications of your application or library's acceptance criteria.
xUnit
Set of frameworks originating from SUnit (Smalltalk's testing framework). They share similar structure and functionality.

Yes

test-unit is a xUnit family unit testing framework for Ruby

No

Client-side
Allows testing code execution on the client, such as a web browser

It could have tested some front-end components but its now legacy hence wouldn't work with the many new front-end components

N/A

Server-side
Allows testing the bahovior of a server-side code

Yes

Yes

You can test any server-side behaviour with Spinach
Fixtures
Allows defining a fixed, specific states of data (fixtures) that are test-local. This ensures specific environment for a single test

Yes

Fixture methods are available through its ClassMethods Module

No

Group fixtures
Allows defining a fixed, specific states of data for a group of tests (group-fixtures). This ensures specific environment for a given group of tests.

Yes

Group fixture methods are supported

No

Generators
Supports data generators for tests. Data generators generate input data for test. The test is then run for each input data produced in this way.

No

Yes

Spinach has inbuilt generator methods
Licence
Licence type governing the use and redistribution of the software

LGPLv2.1, Ruby Licence

MIT License

Mocks
Mocks are objects that simulate the behavior of real objects. Using mocks allows testing some part of the code in isolation (with other parts mocked when needed)

No

Yes

Spinach can access the rspec-mocks methods
Grouping
Allows organizing tests in groups

No

Yes

Spinach Integrates with your RSpec test suite which allows declaring example groups and contexts.
Other
Other useful information about the testing framework