8.18

Test Me🔗

don't

When a piece of software is moved from the prototype stage to the hardening and development stage, developers use a "continuous checking framework" to make sure that on every git-push all unit tests are run. If unit tests fail, the framework alerts the responsible parties with emails or other status messages.

For this course, we will not use a continuous testing framework.

Instead, we will maintain a script for our project that can run all unit tests.

  • Write it as a shell script or as a short program in your favorite language. Name it xtest and place it in your project-level directory

  • Document how to run the script in your Read Me.

  • Run the script every time before you git-push.

  • It is acceptable for unit test cases to fail. Hence the basic output of the script is just a line or two of how many tests cases it ran, how many passed, how many failed.

    Developers often add failing test cases when they have to interrupt work. It is a standard technique that reminds them where to resume the project.

  • It is not acceptable for unit testing to break the script (e.g., raise an uncaught exception). If unit testing fails, your script must show enough output for you to fix the problems.