[rspec-users] Cannot log in/authenticate within RSpec Story

[Ben Mabey]

Ben Men wrote:
> I've been slamming my head against a wall for a while now, and would
> like some help.  I believe this is session related.
>
> I have a story that looks like:
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
>     Given that a post exists
>     And I am logged in
>     When I visit the post details page
>     Then there should be a link to add a new comment
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> I am using the following RSpec story functions to assist this scenario
> (along with others):
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
>   Given("I am logged in") do
>     post '/login/login', {:name => 'domain\\username', :password =>
> 'password'}
>     follow_redirect if redirect?
>   end
>
>   When "I visit the post details page" do
>     get('/posts/1')
>    end
>
>    Then "there should be a link to add a new comment" do
>     response.should have_text(/.*Add New Comment.*/)
>   end
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> The "Add New Comment" text will only show up within the view if
> !session['username'].nil?
>
> The login controller looks like this:
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
>   def login
>     if request.get?
>       session['username'] = nil
>     else
>       # Split username on domain and alias
>       split_username = params[:name].split('\\', 2)
>       if split_username.length != 2
>         flash[:notice] = "You did not enter a properly formatted domain
> and alias"
>         redirect_to :action => 'login'
>       else
>         # Authenticate username and password
>         domain = split_username[0]
>         username = split_username[1]
>         password = params[:password]
>         isAuthenticated = authenticate(domain, username, password)
>         if isAuthenticated
>           # User has been authenticated
>           session['username'] = username
>           redirect_back({:controller => 'posts', :action => 'index'})
>         else
>           flash[:notice] = "Incorrect username or password"
>           redirect_to :action => 'login'
>         end
>       end
>     end
>   end
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> After the post to login/login occurs, I've attempted to check the
> session variable everywhere I could think to, and it does not contain a
> username in the data hash.
>
> Additionally, I'm told that session is a nil object within the login
> controller if I try something like:
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
>   Given("I am logged in") do
>     @lc = LoginController.new
>     @lc.authenticate('domain', 'username', 'password')
>   end
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> I've also tried setting the session variable directly, but after that
> particular Given .. do clause is finished, any settings I make directly
> seem to be lost.
>
> Questions:
> 1. Can controllers within rspec stories set/get session data?
> 2. What is the scope of the persistence of sessions in rspec? (Scenario?
> Story?)
> 3. Any ideas on why my LoginController sets the session['username']
> variable, only to have my PostsController unable to read it?
>
> Also, keep in mind that the code works when I'm actually using the site,
> but the rspec story fails because it's not displaying an "Add New
> Comment" link when it should be due to the PostsController thinking that
> the user isn't logged in.
>   


I don't have time to parse your entire post or send a lengthy reply.  
However, this blog post walks through how to do exactly what you are 
attempting:
http://www.glennfu.com/2008/03/31/easy-plaintext-stories-in-ruby-on-rails-using-webrat/

Good luck.

-Ben