Hi.
How to unit test JSF code? Which test framework should be used for
custom component/ backing beans unit testing?
I am curious how do MyFaces developers (not users) test the various
components in MyFaces/Tomahawk releases?
Backing beans are easy to test since they generally follow the IOC pattern. Just
instantiate the bean and inject whatever services/beans it need via setters. We
use Spring, so we often simply autowire backing beans properties.
Testing scenarious for backing beans are quite simple:
1. Initialize the bean (and appropriate dependent beans).
2. Set properties.
3. Execute the action.
4. Check action outcome.
5. Check aposteriour values of properties.
As for the components, it's a bit more complex. From my point of view there's
two things you can/have to test: (a) if the component renders itself as you want
it to be rendered and (b) if what you want to be rendered actually works.
Testing (a) is not a big problem. Instantiate a component, provide mock/dummy
ResponseWriter, render the component and simply check if the rendered HTML (or
whatever) is allright. In some of my components I use testing framework from
Shale, it provides a couple of useful tools.
Testing (b) is much more complex. Okay, from my component I can generate a pile
of HTML/Javascript/CSS, but I need to make sure that alltogether this builds,
for instance, a working DHTML menu which functions on different browsers. I see
no other possibility as manual testing here.
Bye.
/lexi
