gistfile1.rb

describe "GET current" do
    before do
      @request.cookies['hidden_notices'] = "1,#{notices(:permanent).id}"
      get :current, :format => 'js'
    end

    it { should respond_with(:success) }
    it { should set_cookie(:hidden_notices).to("#{notices(:permanent).id}") }
    it { should render_template('notices/current') }
  end
end

# vs

test "GET current (or preferably an explanation WHY we are testing it)" do
  @request.cookies['hidden_notices'] = "1,#{notices(:permanent).id}"
  get :current, :format => 'js'

  assert          respond_with(:success)
  assert_equal    "#{notices(:permanent).id}", cookies[:hidden_notices]
  assert_template 'notices/current'
end

@rubypanther you're right, it was off-hand of me to say "get it". What I meant was "appreciate why people find this a useful technique". RSpec isn't The Silver Bullet, but if it's working for a significant number of people, I think it's healthy for us to be curious about why that's the case.

Personally, I really find that whether I'm reading code out loud or in my head, the closer it is to the way I'd describe the behaviour in English, the less likely I am to miss a mistake.

@mattwaynne: I don't think it's a matter of word choice at all. You're still replacing his opinion with lack of knowledge.

He's been quite clear about it. In fact, that's largely his point: it's heavily used because of a cargo cult. The question you'd have him ask is exactly the question to which his answer brought us all here.

@jrwest there is no need for the r variable.

describe "GET current" do
  it "does the same thing as your example" do
    @request.cookies['hidden_notices'] = "1,#{notices(:permanent).id}"
    get :current, :format => 'js'

    response.should respond_with(:success) }
    response.should set_cookie(:hidden_notices).to("#{notices(:permanent).id}") }
    response.should render_template('notices/current') }
  end
end

But in the end still it comes down to taste.

@StevenGerrard

You have great code ... I love it

Thanks bro!

I can't take a design opinion seriously from the person who built rails.

Plus all the things that other people have pointed out about these examples being no way near equivalent.