How do I output a variable in a rspec test?

Question

Is there a quick way to output the value of variable in a rspec test? Something like this for example, in a controller to output a variable, I do:

raise variable         


        

Answer 1

You can use the gem pry to do this

1. add gem "pry" in your gemfile
2. bundle install

Now you can any test any variable by putting "binding.pry" just after that variable. Run bundle exec rspec filepath and you will get something like rails c, then write directly your variable.

I hope it makes sense

Answer 2

If you want the output to go into the log file (i.e. logs/test.log), you can use the rails logger.

Rails.logger.debug variable.inspect
Rails.logger.debug variable.to_yaml

If you want to see the output in the console, you can use the pretty printer 'pp'.

require 'pp'

it 'does something'
  thing = Factory(:something)
  pp thing
end

Or you can use good 'ol puts

puts thing.to_yaml

Answer 3

At this moment (Rails 4) you can log it:

p variable

Answer 4

Use this:

$stderr.puts variable.to_yaml