Phoenix + ExUnit: where should I define global helpers?

Question

I have using Phoenix + ExUnit for tests.

I have some ExUnit.Case files like DataCase, ConnCase... to define test helpers for my Models, Controllers..., but if I need to define a global helper that it's accessible from all my tests, where should I define it?

Just create a new module if it makes sense to. – Justin Wood Nov 17 '19 at 15:32 — Justin Wood, Nov 17 '19 at 15:32

score 7 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 17 '19 at 15:39

If this is just a matter of a single helper, put it into your test/test_helper.exs.

But as the project grows, it becomes harder to manage. The common approach is to create test/support folder, and modify your mix.exs in the following way:

Create a private function like this:

defp elixirc_paths(:test), do: ["lib", "test/support"]
defp elixirc_paths(_), do: ["lib"]

Modify your Mix.Project.project/0 callback to include the following key/value pair:

elixirc_paths: elixirc_paths(Mix.env())

Put all the files containing modules needed in test environment only there, as *.ex files.

That way all of them will be compiled in test and discarded in all other environments.

I like second option, but about `test/test_helper.exs`, it isn't a module how I could add helpers to it? — rjurado01, Nov 18 '19 at 19:45

Phoenix + ExUnit: where should I define global helpers?

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