Chapter 22. Making Executable Tests Run

As we mentioned previously, the executable tests we've written can be run as soon as the corresponding code has been completed, if we can call those parts of the system (like the login code) directly from the tests. In this chapter, we're going to illustrate this with a simple example. We're going to use JUnit (www.junit.org) as our test framework. JUnit will provide a lot of the infrastructure we need, including a way to run the test and get graphical test results.

If you're using some other framework or test tool, no problem. You'll apply the same principles we show to your own executable tests, using the appropriate language and framework. Nearly every language has JUnit equivalents (collectively referred to as XUnit), which you can find at www.xprogramming.com/software.htm.