How do I get SpecFlow to expect an exception?

Question

I'm using SpecFlow, and I'd like to write a scenario such as the following:

Scenario: Pressing add with an empty stack throws an exception     Given I have entered nothing into the calculator     When I press add     Then it should throw an exception 

It's calculator.Add() that's going to throw an exception, so how do I handle this in the method marked [Then]?

Answer 1

Great question. I am neither a bdd or specflow expert, however, my first bit of advice would be to take a step back and assess your scenario.

Do you really want to use the terms "throw" and "exception" in this spec? Keep in mind the idea with bdd is to use a ubiquitous language with the business. Ideally, they should be able to read these scenarios and interpret them.

Consider changing your "then" phrase to include something like this:

Scenario: Pressing add with an empty stack displays an error     Given I have entered nothing into the calculator     When I press add     Then the user is presented with an error message 

The exception is still thrown in the background but the end result is a simple error message.

Scott Bellware touches this concept in this Herding Code podcast: http://herdingcode.com/?p=176