Behat

What Behat is

Behat is free, open-source software for writing executable software specifications in plain language. It is the PHP implementation of Cucumber and runs specifications written in Gherkin. Feature files can describe application behavior and be checked through browser automation, HTTP API calls, shell commands, databases, filesystems or PHP code. Behat is designed for use with any PHP framework, or without one. Installation is available through Composer or a PHAR executable, and both methods run using PHP. Its extension system can change or expand nearly any part of its functionality; available extensions cover framework integrations, browser automation, reporting and data fixtures. Behat does not provide its own assertion tool, so users can pair it with an external assertion library. It supports current PHP and third-party dependency versions, with Symfony 8 support starting in Behat 4.0. The project says each major version receives security fixes for 24 months after the next major release. The software is maintained by volunteers and provided without warranty; users can direct questions to its Gitter channel.

Who it suits

Behat suits PHP developers who want to express application behavior as Gherkin specifications and run them across different parts of a system. It can fit projects using a PHP framework or no framework.

Limits

Behat is free software provided without warranty. It does not include its own assertion tool, and Symfony 8 support starts with Behat 4.0.

Getting started

1. Open the Behat website.
2. Use PHP on Linux.
3. Install with Composer or use the PHAR executable.
4. Write specifications in Gherkin feature files.
5. Use a suitable extension or external assertion library if needed.

Verdict

Behat offers a flexible, free way to turn plain-language specifications into executable checks for PHP projects. Users need to choose an external assertion library and account for the project's stated security-support window.