Class: Dataset::Block

Inherits:
Base
  • Object
show all
Includes:
InstanceMethods
Defined in:
lib/dataset/base.rb

Overview

The easiest way to create some data before a suite of tests is run is by using a Dataset::Block. An example works wonders:

class PeopleTest < Test::Unit::TestCase
  dataset do
    create_record :person, :billy, :name => 'Billy'
  end

  def test_name
    assert_equal 'Billy', people(:billy).name
  end
end

The database will be cleared and billy will be inserted once before running each of the tests within a transaction. All the normal transaction fixtures stuff will still work.

One of the great features of Dataset, at least when things get really interesting in your data needs, is that nested contexts will be additive. Consider this:

describe Something do
  dataset :a              => Dataset :a is loaded (at the right time)

  it 'should whatever'
  end

  describe More do
    dataset :b            => Dataset :b is loaded. :a data is still there

    it 'should'
    end
  end

  describe Another do     => Database is restored to :a, without re-running :a logic
    it 'should'
    end
  end
end

Instance Variables

You may also assign instance variables in a dataset block, and they will be available to your test methods. You have to be careful with this in a similar way that you must with an RSpec before :all block. Since the instance variables are pointing to the same instances accross all tests, things can get weird if you intend to change their state. It’s best use is for loading objects that you want to read a lot without loading over and over again for each test.

Building on Other Datasets

You may pass any number of Dataset::Base subclasses - or better yet, their names - to the dataset method. When you use a block, this adds a lot of clarity:

class PersonTest < Test::Unit::TestCase
  dataset :organization, :people do
    id = create_record :person, :second_admin, :name => 'Admin Three'
    create_record :organization_administratorship, :organization_id => organization_id(:first_bank), :person_id => id
  end

  def test_admins
    assert organizations(:first_bank).admins.include?(people(:second_admin))
  end
end

Reusing a Dataset

When you need to go beyond the block, create a Dataset::Base subclass!

Instance Method Summary collapse

Methods included from InstanceMethods

#extend_from_dataset_load

Methods inherited from Base

helper_methods, helpers, used_datasets, uses

Instance Method Details

#load ⇒ Object

:nodoc:



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# File 'lib/dataset/base.rb', line 151

def load # :nodoc:
  dataset_session_binding.install_block_variables(self)
  doload
  dataset_session_binding.copy_block_variables(self)
end