[rspec-users] Mixing in spec helper methods

[Nick Hoffman]

On 2008-11-11, at 19:31, Ben Mabey wrote:
> Nick Hoffman wrote:
>> I've written a module for my specs that contains a helper method,  
>> and am mixing the module into my specs with #include . It seems  
>> that the method must be called with an #it block. If it isn't, this  
>> error occurs:
>>
>> ... in `method_missing': undefined method  
>> `it_should_behave_like_an_action_that_sets_the_flash_notice' for  
>> Spec::Rails::Example::ControllerExampleGroup::Subclass_1:Class  
>> (NoMethodError) from ./spec/controllers/ 
>> properties_controller_spec.rb:8
>>
>> Is there a way to call my helper method from outside of an #it  
>> block? Here's the code:
>> http://pastie.org/312680
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Nick
>> _______________________________________________
>> rspec-users mailing list
>> rspec-users at rubyforge.org
>> http://rubyforge.org/mailman/listinfo/rspec-users
> It looks like you want those methods in your module as class method,  
> not instance methods.  Try extending, not including, your module  
> (extend AuthSpecHelpers.)  You might want to read my post about  
> creating rspec macros as well:
> http://www.benmabey.com/2008/06/08/writing-macros-in-rspec/
>
> -Ben

After digesting that post again, especially the contents of  
#self.included , I noticed that one could alternatively do this:

module AssignMacro
   def self.extended(receiver)
     receiver.extend ExampleGroupMethods
     receiver.send :include, ExampleMethods
   end
end

describe UserPhotosController do
   describe "GET 'users/1/photos/2'" do
     extend AssignMacro
     # ...
   end
end

Is one approach more preferable? Or should one do this so that both  
"include AssignMacro" and "extend AssignMacro" give the same, desired,  
result?:

module AssignMacro
   def self.included(receiver)
     receiver.extend ExampleGroupMethods
     receiver.send :include, ExampleMethods
   end

   class << self
     alias_method :extended, :included
   end
end

Thanks for your input, guys.
-Nick