How to perform unit tests on nodejs

Question

I’d like to run unit tests on Node.js, I’m using the grunt-jasmine, but it does not recognize the variable exports, module and neither required.

Is there a way to solve this or does someone suggest a more suitable testing framework for Node? I’m using it in conjunction with Grunt.

My settings:

jasmine: { src: 'src/**/*.js', options: { specs: 'specs/**/*Spec.js' } }

Answer 1

Assert

One of the Node modules is the assert. It is not a complete tool for unit testing but it is possible to use it without any additional to perform its tests.

Methods

• fail: Compares two values (style current and expected).
• ok: Check if the expression passed is true.
• throws, doesNotThrow: The function passed should/should not launch an exception.
• ifError: Tests if past value is true; useful for testing error variable.

In addition to several methods Equal: Equal, notEqual, deepEqual, notDeepEqual, strictEqual, notStrictEqual.

---

Nodeunit

Based on the assert explained above, nodeunit is one of the simplest options to write your unit tests. It supports asynchronous tests.

Methods

The methods for testing are the same as the assert described above. In addition, for each test function the nodeunit sends you an object with the following functions:

• expect(quantidade): Number of assertions that will be made in this test. If a number of different assertions from the past are made the test fails. Calling this function is optional.
• done: Ends the current test. This function must be called.

Writing the test module

To write a test module is very simple, just expose your test functions and receive in them a parameter with the object test nodeunit, for example:

exports.testaAlgo = function (test) {
    test.expect(2);
    test.ok(true, "este teste irá passar");
    test.ok(false, "este teste irá falhar e essa mensagem será exibida");
    test.done();
};

Running the tests

Just install nodeunit via npm:

npm install -g nodeunit

And then run the test:

nodeunit meuTeste.js

The exit is something like:

$ nodeunit meuTeste.js
✖ testaAlgo

Assertion Message: este teste irá falhar e essa mensagem será exibida

---

Configuring unit tests in the project

One of the ways to configure your tests in your project is to use the package json., example:

"scripts": {
  "test": "nodeunit testes/*.js"
}

This way just run npm test to run your tests.

Not to have to install nodeunit globally on your machine (paramêtro -g of npm install), you can use the local node of the *node_modules folder*:

"scripts": {
  "test": "./node_modules/.bin/nodeunit testes/*.js"
}

Answer 2

I won’t be answering your question, but there are other testing alternatives for Node.js.

If you’re looking for something more TDD-style:

• the module assert embedded in Node.js
• nodeunit (which makes use of the module assert) - https://github.com/caolan/nodeunit

If you prefer the BDD style, like Jasmine:

• has the Mocha (serves both for TDD and BDD) - http://visionmedia.github.io/mocha/
• Vows (pretty cool this one) - http://vowsjs.org
• should.js (also uses assertion to make BDD) - https://github.com/visionmedia/should.js/

I met these modules and frameworks by reviewing the book Node.js in Action. I recommend the book.

Answer 3

I recommend using the http://visionmedia.github.io/mocha and http://chaijs.com for unit testing using the TDD and BDD style for complete and effective testing. If you also need to test internal or external Apis, use github.com/visionmedia/supertest