Codeception - What is the difference between cest and cept?

Question

I just started using TDD approach and came across codeception.

I searched the web a lot but didn't find a proper explanation or differentiation between cest and cept files in codeception.

Answer 1

Their format is the only difference.

Cept is a scenario-based format and Cest is a class based format.

Cept example:

<?php    
$I = new AcceptanceTester($scenario);
$I->wantTo('log in as regular user');
$I->amOnPage('/login');
$I->fillField('Username','john');
$I->fillField('Password','secret');
$I->click('Login');
$I->see('Hello john');

Cest example:

<?php
class UserCest
{
    public function loginAsRegularUser(\AcceptanceTester $I) 
    {
        $I->wantTo('log in as regular user');
        $I->amOnPage('/login');
        $I->fillField('Username','john');
        $I->fillField('Password','secret');
        $I->click('Login');
        $I->see('Hello john');            
    }
}

Non-developers may find the Cept format more friendly and approachable. PHP developers may prefer the Cest format which is able to support multiple tests per file and easy reuse of code by adding additional private functions.

In the end it is just a matter of taste and you can choose the format you prefer.

Answer 2

If you have a Cest with 2 test methods like

<?php
class UserCest
{
    public function test1(\AcceptanceTester $I) 
    {
        $I->see('Hello john');            
    }

    public function test2(\AcceptanceTester $I) 
    {
        $I->see('Hello jeff');            
    }
}

That is thew Equivalent to test1Cept.php:

<?php
$I = new AcceptanceTester($scenario);
$I->see('Hello john');

test2Cept.php:

<?php
$I = new AcceptanceTester($scenario);
$I->see('Hello jeff');

It's just 2 different ways of structuring you test code