This doesn't sound like you ever programmed RSpec tests? Edit: To expand on that. I thought I knew and understood the model–view–controller having only read ab

This doesn't sound like you ever programmed RSpec tests? Edit: To expand on that. I thought I knew and understood the model–view–controller having only read about it. But only when I actually used it in early RoR version I truly understood what kind of advantages and disadvantages this approach had. The article explains the reasoning of RSpec and I'd say it should answer your questions.