The sourceName specified on a ValueSourceAttribute must refer to a non null static field, property or method

Question

I am trying to use ValueSourceAttribute for my tests.

Here is an example

  [Test]
        public async Task TestDocumentsDifferentFormats(
            [ValueSource(nameof(Formats))] string format,
            [ValueSource(nameof(Documents))] IDocument document)
        {

The interesting thing is that Formats list (first argument) works perfectly, however it cannot resolve second argument, even if it defined in the same way.

Here is how I defined Documents static list

  public class DocumentFactory
    {
        public static readonly List<IDocument> Documents=
            new List<IDocument>
            {
              // Init documents
            };
    }

But when I try to run my tests it throws an error.

The sourceName specified on a ValueSourceAttribute must refer to a non null static field, property or method.

What can cause this problem ? I would be grateful for any help.

You should mentioned that this problem occurs only when `Documents` property declared in another class. — Fabio, Oct 18 '17 at 10:59
@Fabio yes it is declared in another class, is it possible to solve this issue ? — , Oct 18 '17 at 11:05

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 18 '17 at 11:05

If values are defined in another class you should provide it's type too as parameter for attribute

[Test]
public void TestOne(
    [ValueSource(nameof(Formats))] string format, 
    [ValueSource(typeof(DocumentFactory), nameof(DocumentFactory.Documents))] IDocument document)
{
        document.Should().NotBeNull();
}

Without providing a type, NUnit will use type of current class as default type, that is why Formats works.

The sourceName specified on a ValueSourceAttribute must refer to a non null static field, property or method

1 Answers1