ApprovalTests
This project is not being actively maintained. Instead consider using Verify. See Migrating from ApprovalTests for more information.
Capturing Human Intelligence - ApprovalTests is an open source assertion/verification library to aid unit testing.
It is compatible with most .Net unit testing frameworks (Nunit, MsTest, xUnit, MBUnit)
Contents
- What can it be used for?
- Video Tutorials
- Podcasts
- Docs
- Available on NuGet
- Examples
- Approved File Artifacts
- More Info
- Questions?
- Credits
What can it be used for?
Approval Tests can be used for verifying objects that require more than a simple assert. They also come prepackaged with utilities for some common .Net scenarios including:
- Dictionaries & Collections
- Long Strings
- Log Files
- Asp.Net
- Asp.Net Mvc
- Winforms
- Wpf
- Entity Framework
- Rdlc reports
Video Tutorials
You can watch a bunch of short videos on getting started and using ApprovalTests in .Net at YouTube
Podcasts
If you prefer auditory learning, you might enjoy the following podcast
Docs
Available on NuGet
Examples
Verifying a List
[UseReporter(typeof(VisualStudioReporter))]
[TestFixture]
public class SampleTest
{
[Test]
public void TestList()
{
var names = new[] {"Llewellyn", "James", "Dan", "Jason", "Katrina"};
Array.Sort(names);
Approvals.VerifyAll(names, label: "");
}
}
Will Produce a File
`SampleTest.TestList.received.txt`
[0] = Dan
[1] = James
[2] = Jason
[3] = Katrina
[4] = Llewellyn
It will also open these 2 files (.received.
& .approved.
) in a diff editor.
You can approve these results by copying everything (ctrl+a, ctrl+c) and pasting it in the right hand side (ctrl+a, ctrl+v)
In most situations, you will use one of the supported DiffTools to examine and approve the result.
Alternatively, you can rename the .received.
file to SampleTest.TestList.approved.txt and the test will now pass.
note: The diff tools are NOT opened when the tests pass, only on failure.
Approved File Artifacts
The *.approved.*
files must be checked into source your source control. ApprovalTests now ignores line endings by default (so you can remove *.approved.* binary
from your .gitattributes file if you added previously).
If you would like to verify line endings, simply add [assembly: IgnoreLineEndingsAttribute(false)]
to your AssemblyInfo.cs
Do not add *.received.*
files to your source control (they are transitory, and some SCMs like TFS will lock them or mark them read-only, which will break every dependent test).
More Info
Questions?
ask on twitter: @LlewellynFalco or #ApprovalTests
Credits
Contributors
This project exists thanks to all the people who contribute.
Backers
Thank you to all our backers!
Sponsors
Support this project by becoming a sponsor. Your logo will show up here with a link to your website. [Become a sponsor]