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Unit testing a Visual C++ DLL for Store apps

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Note

This article applies to Visual Studio 2015. If you're looking for the latest Visual Studio documentation, see Visual Studio documentation. We recommend upgrading to the latest version of Visual Studio. Download it here

This topic describes one way to create unit tests for a C++ DLL for Windows Store apps The RooterLib DLL demonstrates vague memories of limit theory from the calculus by implementing a function that calculates an estimate of the square root of a given number. The DLL might then be included in a Windows Store app that shows a user the fun things that can be done with math.

This topic shows you how to use unit testing as the first step in development. In this approach, you first write a test method that verifies a specific behavior in the system that you are testing and then you write the code that passes the test. By making changes in the order of the following procedures, you can reverse this strategy to first write the code that you want to test and then write the unit tests.

This topic also creates a single Visual Studio solution and separate projects for the unit tests and the DLL that you want to test. You can also include the unit tests directly in the DLL project, or you can create separate solutions for the unit tests and the .DLL. See Adding unit tests to existing C++ applications for tips on which structure to use.

In this topic

This topic takes you through the following tasks:

Create the solution and the unit test project

Verify that the tests run in Test Explorer

Add the DLL project to the solution

Couple the test project to the dll project

Iteratively augment the tests and make them pass

Debug a failing test

Refactor the code without changing tests

Create the solution and the unit test project

  1. On the File menu, choose New, and then choose New Project.

  2. On the New Project dialog, expand Installed, then expand Visual C++ and choose Windows Store. Then choose Unit Test Library (Windows Store apps) from the list of project templates.

    Create a C++ unit test library

  3. Name the project RooterLibTests; specify the location; name the solution RooterLib; and make sure Create directory for solution is checked.

    Specify the solution and project name and location

  4. In the new project, open unittest1.cpp.

    unittest1.cpp

    Note that:

    • Each test is defined by using TEST_METHOD(YourTestName){...}.

      You do not have to write a conventional function signature. The signature is created by the macro TEST_METHOD. The macro generates an instance function that returns void. It also generates a static function that returns information about the test method. This information allows the test explorer to find the method.

    • Test methods are grouped into classes by using TEST_CLASS(YourClassName){...}.

      When the tests are run, an instance of each test class is created. The test methods are called in an unspecified order. You can define special methods that are invoked before and after each module, class, or method. For more information, see Using Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.CppUnitTestFramework in the MSDN Library.

Verify that the tests run in Test Explorer

  1. Insert some test code:

    TEST_METHOD(TestMethod1)
{
    Assert::AreEqual(1,1);
}

    Notice that the Assert class provides several static methods that you can use to verify results in test methods.

  2. On the Test menu, choose Run and then choose Run All.

    The test project builds and runs. The Test Explorer window appears, and the test is listed under Passed Tests. The Summary pane at the bottom of the window provides additional details about the selected test.

    Test Explorer

Add the DLL project to the solution

  1. In Solution Explorer, choose the solution name. From the shortcut menu, choose Add, and then Add New Project.

    Create the RooterLib project

  2. In the Add New Project dialog box, choose DLL (Windows Store apps).

  3. Add the following code to the RooterLib.h file:

    // The following ifdef block is the standard way of creating macros which make exporting
// from a DLL simpler. All files within this DLL are compiled with the ROOTERLIB_EXPORTS
// symbol defined on the command line. This symbol should not be defined on any project
// that uses this DLL. This way any other project whose source files include this file see
// ROOTERLIB_API functions as being imported from a DLL, whereas this DLL sees symbols
// defined with this macro as being exported.
#ifdef ROOTERLIB_EXPORTS
#define ROOTERLIB_API  __declspec(dllexport)
#else
#define ROOTERLIB_API __declspec(dllimport)
#endif //ROOTERLIB_EXPORTS

class ROOTERLIB_API CRooterLib {
public:
    CRooterLib(void);
    double SquareRoot(double v);
};

    The comments explain the ifdef block not only to the developer of the dll, but to anyone who references the DLL in their project. You can add the ROOTERLIB_EXPORTS symbol to the command line by using the project properties of the DLL.

    The CRooterLib class declares a constructor and the SqareRoot estimator method.

  4. Add the ROOTERLIB_EXPORTS symbol to the command line.

    1. In Solution Explorer, choose the RooterLib project, and then choose Properties from the shortcut menu.

      Add a preprocessor symbol definition

    2. In the RooterLib Property Page dialog box, expand Configuration Properties, expand C++ and choose Preprocessor.

    3. Choose <Edit...> from the Preprocessor Definitions list, and then add ROOTERLIB_EXPORTS in the Preprocessor Definitions dialog box.

  5. Add minimal implementations of the declared functions. Open RooterLib.cpp and add the following code:

    // constructor
CRooterLib::CRooterLib()
{
}

// Find the square root of a number.
double CRooterLib::SquareRoot(double v)
{
    return 0.0;
}

Couple the test project to the dll project

  1. Add RooterLib to the RooterLibTests project.

    1. In Solution Explorer, choose the RooterLibTests project and then choose References... on the shortcut menu.

    2. On the RooterLib Project Properties dialog box, expand Common Properties and choose Framework and References.

    3. Choose Add New Reference....

    4. In the Add Reference dialog box, expand Solution and then choose Projects. Then select the RouterLib item.

  2. Include the RooterLib header file in unittest1.cpp.

    1. Open unittest1.cpp.

    2. Add this code to below the #include "CppUnitTest.h" line:

      #include "..\RooterLib\RooterLib.h"

  3. Add a test that uses the imported function. Add the following code to unittest1.cpp:

    TEST_METHOD(BasicTest)
{
    CRooterLib rooter;
    Assert::AreEqual(
        // Expected value:
        0.0,
        // Actual value:
        rooter.SquareRoot(0.0),
        // Tolerance:
        0.01,
        // Message:
        L"Basic test failed",
        // Line number - used if there is no PDB file:
        LINE_INFO());
}

  4. Build the solution.

    The new test appears in Test Explorer in the Not Run Tests node.

  5. In Test Explorer, choose Run All.

    Basic Test passed

    You have set up the test and the code projects, and verified that you can run tests that run functions in the code project. Now you can begin to write real tests and code.

Iteratively augment the tests and make them pass

  1. Add a new test:

    TEST_METHOD(RangeTest)
{
    CRooterLib rooter;
    for (double v = 1e-6; v < 1e6; v = v * 3.2)
    {
        double expected = v;
        double actual = rooter.SquareRoot(v*v);
        double tolerance = expected/1000;
        Assert::AreEqual(expected, actual, tolerance);
    }
};

    Tip

    We recommend that you do not change tests that have passed. Instead, add a new test, update the code so that the test passes, and then add another test, and so on.

    When your users change their requirements, disable the tests that are no longer correct. Write new tests and make them work one at a time, in the same incremental manner.

  2. In Test Explorer, choose Run All.

  3. The test fails.

    The RangeTest fails

    Tip

    Verify that each test fails immediately after you have written it. This helps you avoid the easy mistake of writing a test that never fails.

  4. Enhance the code under test so that the new test passes. Add the following to RooterLib.cpp:

    #include <math.h>
...
// Find the square root of a number.
double CRooterLib::SquareRoot(double v)
{
    double result = v;
    double diff = v;
    while (diff > result/1000)
    {
        double oldResult = result;
        result = result - (result*result - v)/(2*result);
        diff = abs (oldResult - result);
    }
    return result;
}

  5. Build the solution and then in Test Explorer, choose Run All.

    Both tests pass.

Tip

Develop code by adding tests one at a time. Make sure that all the tests pass after each iteration.

Debug a failing test

  1. Add another test to unittest1.cpp:

    // Verify that negative inputs throw an exception.
 TEST_METHOD(NegativeRangeTest)
 {
   wchar_t message[200];
   CRooterLib rooter;
   for (double v = -0.1; v > -3.0; v = v - 0.5)
   {
     try
     {
       // Should raise an exception:
       double result = rooter.SquareRoot(v);

       swprintf_s(message, L"No exception for input %g", v);
       Assert::Fail(message, LINE_INFO());
     }
     catch (std::out_of_range ex)
     {
       continue; // Correct exception.
     }
     catch (...)
     {
       swprintf_s(message, L"Incorrect exception for %g", v);
       Assert::Fail(message, LINE_INFO());
     }
   }
};

  2. In Test Explorer, choose Run All.

    The test fails. Choose the test name in Test Explorer. The failed assertion is highlighted. The failure message is visible in the detail pane of Test Explorer.

    NegativeRangeTests failed

  3. To see why the test fails, step through the function:

    1. Set a breakpoint at the start of the SquareRoot function.

    2. On the shortcut menu of the failed test, choose Debug Selected Tests.

      When the run stops at the breakpoint, step through the code.

    3. Add code to RooterLib.cpp to catch the exception:

      #include <stdexcept>
...
double CRooterLib::SquareRoot(double v)
{
    //Validate the input parameter:
    if (v < 0.0)
    {
      throw std::out_of_range("Can't do square roots of negatives");
    }
...

    4. In Test Explorer, choose Run All to test the corrected method and make sure that you haven't introduced a regression.

    All tests now pass.

    All tests pass

Refactor the code without changing tests

  1. Simplify the central calculation in the SquareRoot function:

    // old code
//result = result - (result*result - v)/(2*result);
// new code
result = (result + v/result) / 2.0;

  2. Choose Run All to test the refactored method and make sure that you haven't introduced a regression.

    Tip

    A stable set of good unit tests gives confidence that you have not introduced bugs when you change the code.

    Keep refactoring separate from other changes.