Using the Arrange Act Assert pattern with Integration Tests

Question

Using the Arrange Act Assert what should be in the Arrange "section" considering that this is an integration test on my database?

private void Delete_Release_Test_Data(string conString)
        {
            UnitTestHelper.PrepareData(new[] { "ReleaseId" }, new object[] { 100 });
            UnitTestHelper.InsertPreparedData(conString, RELEASE_TABLE);
        }

        [Test]
        public void Delete_Release(string conString)
        {
            Delete_Release_Test_Data(conString);

            // ARRANGE
            // What should I put here ???

            // ACT
            IReleaseDataProvider provider = new ReleaseDataProvider();
            provider.DeleteRelease(100);

            // ASSERT
            Assert.IsTrue(UnitTestHelper.HasNoData(conString, string.Format("SELECT * FROM {0}", RELEASE_TABLE)));
        }

score 8 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

8

Is there a specific reason why the first line Delete_Release_Test_Data(conString) isn't under arrange? From this link on Arrange Act Assert:

Each method should group these functional sections, separated by blank lines:

Arrange all necessary preconditions and inputs.

Act on the object or method under test.

Assert that the expected results have occurred.

Inserting valid test data is a precondition of this test which means that it should be placed under the Arrange section.

Note: You can also rename this test to Delete_Release_When_Exists and then also create a test Delete_Release_When_Doesnt_Exist to verify the correct exception is thrown or return value is correct.

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

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answered Feb 27 '12 at 20:24

Lester

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"Is there a specific..." 1.) Yes there is. We run all our preconditions normally in a setup method with [Setup] attribute which is called before every test. We have no individual test data for a method (the exception is in that sample I posted...) So how does our approach fit into the AAA pattern? "...Note:..." 2.) My deleteRelease method does not return anything because why should it fail? It can only be deleted from the author itself so no concurrency here. – Pascal Feb 27 '12 at 21:03
Well, since AAA is focused on unit tests and you're doing an integration test, you should use it more as a rough guideline and not get too caught up on details. Either putting it in the arrange block or just not have one if you're using a [Setup] method should be fine. – Lester Feb 27 '12 at 21:17
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Also, my note is still valid. "You ask why should it fail?" and I can argue that in some systems the expected behaviour is to fail for invalid input while in your system the expected behaviour may be to do nothing. – Lester Feb 27 '12 at 21:19
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of course your note/care is valid :) Cool you work where Marlon works :P – Pascal Feb 27 '12 at 21:24

Using the Arrange Act Assert pattern with Integration Tests

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