parameterize examples in cucumber queries - automated-tests

Question

I am new to Cucumber. I have a requirement to use variables instead of actual values in a feature file example. Actual values are to be populated in a separate property file.
Sample feature file:
#tag
Feature: Add an element to stack
The user pushes an element. It gets added to stack
#tag1
Scenario: Push element to empty stack
Given Stack is empty
When User pushes an element
Then stack should have only one element
#tag2
Scenario Outline: Push element to stack
Given Stack has {initial} elements
When User adds {new} element
Then Length of stack increases to {new_size}
| initial | new | new_size |
| 1 | 2 | 2|
| 5 | 9 | 6|
| 0 | 3 | 1|
The output example should be like:
| initial | new | new_size |
| {val1_1} |{val1_2} | {val1_3}|
| {val2_1} |{val2_2} | {val2_3}|
I have used "{}" instead of "<>" as am not able to print elements inside <> in pre-formatted code

Answer 1

Use scenario outlines with examples. Its will solve you data input based queries. For example,
#tag2
Scenario Outline: Push element to stack
Given Stack has <initial> elements
When User adds <new> element
Then Length of stack increases to <new_size>
Examples:
| initial | new | new_size |
| 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 5 | 9 | 6 |
| 0 | 3 | 1 |
And your step definition would be like this,
Given("^Stack has (.*) elements$", (String initial) -> {
// Write code here that turns the phrase above into concrete actions
throw new PendingException();
});
Similarly do for the other query parameters like (name, new_size).