What is the recommended style of the "message" in a JUnit test?

Question

Here is the message expressed currently:

ReturnedObject ro = objectUnderTest.methodToTest(stub);
Assert.assertNotNull("The object was null!", ro);

Or, is this more correct?

ReturnedObject ro = objectUnderTest.methodToTest(stub);
Assert.assertNotNull("Verify that the object was not null.", ro);

Please pay attention, as you answer my question, to the appearance of the message from the point of view of the user.

IMO neither; rather include actual useful information. – Dave Newton Nov 17 '15 at 21:36 — Dave Newton, Nov 17 '15 at 21:36

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 17 '15 at 22:28

You should be able to read exactly what failed directly from the failure message. Which conveys the most useful information?

Beyond that, it's just a matter of team style.

1 Answers1