unit-testing abstract classes and protected methods inside them - c#

how can I test abstract classes and protected methods inside them? I know some of you will suggest that I shouldn't test the abstract class, but rather test the classes that derive from it instead. Thing is, I don't want to do that. I want to strictly test the abstract class itself. Here is the sample class:
public interface IF_SystemMessageHandler
{
...
}
public interface IF_SystemMessageSender
{
...
}
public abstract class Component : IF_SystemMessageSender
{
private eVtCompId mComponentId;
private eLayer mLayerId;
private IF_SystemMessageHandler mLogger;
protected Component(eVtCompId inComponentId, eLayer inLayerId, IF_SystemMessageHandler inMessageHandler)
{
mLayerId = inLayerId;
mComponentId = inComponentId;
mLogger = inMessageHandler;
}
protected void SendSystemMessage(ref eSystemMsgLevel inSystemMsgLevel, ref string inSysMsg)
{
mLogger.SendSystemMessage(...);
}
protected void SendSystemMessage(ref eSystemMsgLevel inSystemMsgLevel, ref eTextId inSysMsgID)
{
mLogger.SendSystemMessage(...);
}
public void SetMessageHandler(ref IF_SystemMessageHandler InSystemMessageHandler)
{
mLogger = InSystemMessageHandler;
}
}
I'm writing a unit test for it. I know that one of the things I can do is utilize a unit-testing framework (I have Moq), but I have no idea on how to use it for this particular instance.

You need to use a 'testable' class that inherits from your class under test. For example, if you have a class like this:
public class ProtectedStuff
{
protected bool MyProtectedMethod()
{
return true;
}
}
Then in your unit test assembly, inherit from your class like this:
public class TestableProtectedStuff : ProtectedStuff
{
public new bool MyProtectedMethod()
{
return base.MyProtectedMethod();
}
}
This gives you a class with exactly the same interface as the original, but now you can access the protected methods.

In order for you to test your abstract class you need to instantiate it. So create a class for testing purposes that inherits from your Component (abstract) class.
Aside from the interfaces being used I don't see much to Mock.

Related

Implementing Interface using extension methods in c#

I have an Interface:
public interface IMessager
{
void ShowMessage();
}
Is there any way to implement this interface using extension methods?
public static class Extensions
{
public static void ShowMessage(this MyClass e)
{
Console.WriteLine("Extension");
}
}
and a class that implement it:
public class MyClass:IMessager
{
public void ShowMessage()
{
ShowMessage(); // I expect that program write "Extension" in console
}
}
But when I run the program I get the System.StackOverflowException.
The code you posted is just a method calling itself recursively (hence the StackOverflowException).
I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to accomplish but to answer your question
Is there any way to implement this interface using extension methods?
No.
To be a bit more pragmatic about this though, if your aim is to only write your method once you have a few options:
1. Call the extension explicitly
public class MyClass:IMessager
{
public void ShowMessage()
{
Extensions.ShowMessage(this);
}
}
although as pointed out in comments, this basically defeats the point of using the extension method. Additionally there is still "boiler-plate code" such that every time you implement your interface you have to call the static method from within the method (not very DRY)
2. Use an abstract class instead of an interface
public abstract class MessengerBase
{
public void ShowMethod() { /* implement */ }
}
public class MyClass : MessengerBase {}
...
new MyClass().ShowMethod();
This issue with this though is that you can't inherit from multiple classes.
3. Use extension on the interface
public interface IMessenger { /* nothing special here */ }
public class MyClass : IMessenger { /* also nothing special */ }
public static class MessengerExtensions
{
public static void ShowMessage(this IMessenger messenger)
{
// implement
}
}
...
new MyClass().ShowMessage();

Call abstract method from abstract class constructor

I would like to ask what are the risks of having something as follows:
abstract public class HtmlTemplateBuilder
{
HtmlSource source;
protected HtmlTemplateBuilder()
{
LoadTemplates();
}
public abstract void LoadTemplates();
}
The risk is if a derived class derives from the derived class:
DerivedClass2 -> #DerivedClass1 -> HtmlTemplateBuilder
This can be solved by sealing #DerviedClass1, but are there any more risks or better practices for implementing this functionality?
Thanks
The situation in which this pattern bit me is as follows: at some later stage you want to add a specialized HtmlTemplateBuilder, which can load different templates based on some criteria unknown to the class itself (maybe you decide you want some cool templates on a specific day of the year). That is:
public class SpecialHtmlTemplateBuilder : HtmlTemplateBuilder
{
private bool someCondition;
public override void LoadTemplates()
{
if (someCondition)
{
LoadTemplatesSet1();
}
else
{
LoadTemplatesSet2();
}
}
}
But how are you going to pass someCondition to the class? The following won't work:
public class SpecialHtmlTemplateBuilder : HtmlTemplateBuilder
{
private bool someCondition;
public SpecialHtmlTemplateBuilder (bool someCondition)
{
this.someCondition = someCondition;
}
// ...
}
because the assignment of this.someCondition will be done after calling the base constructor, i.e., after LoadTemplates() is called. Note that sealing derived classes does not solve this problem.
The way to solve this is as #Rahul Misra described: add an explicit Initialize method and call that after the constructor.
Have a look at this link which explains the perils with simple easy to understand examples
https://blogs.msmvps.com/peterritchie/2012/04/25/virtual-method-call-from-constructor-what-could-go-wrong/
I would remove the call to LoadTemplates from constructor and call Initialise on it when the templates actually need to be loaded and used.
abstract public class HtmlTemplateBuilder
{
HtmlSource source;
object locker = new object();
private bool initialised;
protected HtmlTemplateBuilder()
{
}
protected void Initialise()
{
lock (locker)
{
if(initialised)
{
LoadTemplates();
initialised = true;
}
}
}
public abstract void LoadTemplates();
}

Problem with Abstract class, Interface, Container and methods

I've the following scenario
I've an Interface
public interface ImyInterface
{
void myInterfaceMethod(string param);
}
I've an Abstract Class
public abstract class myAbstractClass
{
public myAbstractClass()
{
//something valid for each inherited class
}
public void myAbstractMethod<T>(T param)
{
//something with T param
}
}
I've a class that inherits from myAbstractClass and implements ImyInterface
public class myClass : myAbstractClass, ImyInterface
{
public myClass():base()
{}
public void ThisMethodWillNeverCall()
{
// nothing to do
}
}
And, finally, I've a class where I'll create a ImyInterface object. At this point I would call myAbstractMethod, but...
public class myFinalClass
{
public void myFinalMethod()
{
ImyInterface myObj = _myContainer<ImyInterface>();
myObj.???
}
}
Obviously there isn't this method because it isn't declared into the interface.
My solution is the following
public interface ImyInterface
{
void myInterfaceMethod(string param);
void myFakeMethod<T>(T param);
}
public class myClass : myAbstractClass, ImyInterface
{
public myClass():base()
{}
public void ThisMethodWillNeverCall()
{
// nothing to do
}
//--- a fake method
public void myFakeMethod<T>(T param)
{
base.myAbstractMethod<T>(param);
}
}
Is there any other solution better than mine?
Thank you!
First of all, your naming convention is a mess. Read up on the guidelines that Microsoft have made.
It's also hard to tell what you are trying to achieve based on your example.
Back to your question:
You should only access an interface to work with that interface. Don't try to make any magic stuff with classes/interfaces to get them working together. That usually means that the class shouldn't try to implement the interface.
It's better that you create a new interface which have the features that you want and let your class implement both.

How can I factor out the code duplication here?

So, I'd like to hear what you all think about this.
I have a project where three different inheritance paths need to all implement another base class. This would be multiple inheritance and isn't allowed in C#. I am curious how I can implement this without code duplication.
EDIT: I don't own the three classes. The three classes are from 3rd party code. So I cannot make them all extend my base class.
Right now I am using three different classes, each one extending a different base class. Then I have the same code in each of the three abstract classes.
I could use a single interface, but I would still need to duplicate the code.
I could make some kind of static class that implements the code and then reference that in each of the 3 abstract classes. It would eliminate the duplication, but, I am not sure how I feel about this. I could implement Extensions methods on the interface, but then the interface itself would be empty and the extension methods (containing the duplicate code) would be in a totally different file, which seems not quite right. Plus I can't implement properties in extension methods...
How can I factor out the code duplication here?
EDIT, inheritance tree:
class Class1 : 3rdPartyBaseClass1 { }
class Class2 : 3rdPartyBaseClass2 { }
class Class3 : 3rdPartyBaseClass3 { }
I have code I want to be in each of the above Classes, but I cannot add it to the 3rdPartyClasses.
Create an interface that Class1, Class2, and Class3 can implement. Then put your code in extension methods so it will apply to all.
interface IMyInterface {
void Foo(); //these are the methods that these
//classes actually have in common
void Bar();
}
public class Class1 : 3rdPartyBaseClass1, IMyInterface {
// whatever
}
public static class IMyInterfaceExtensions {
public static void CommonMethod(this IMyInterface obj) {
obj.Foo();
obj.Bar();
}
}
public static class Program {
public static void Main() {
var instance = new Class1();
instance.CommonMethod();
}
}
OK, you can do something similar to my previous suggestion, and also similar to recursive's suggestion. For the functionality you require in all three of your derived classes, you can create a single Interface along with a single class (call it "Implementer" for kicks) that implements that Interface (and that has the actual code you want executed with each call).
In each of your derived classes, then, you implement the Interface and create a private instance of Implementer. In each of the interface methods, you just pass the call along to the private instance of Implementer. Because Implementer and your derived classes all implement your Interface, any changes you make to the Interface will require you to modify Implementer and the derived classes accordingly.
And all your code is in one place, except for all the lines passings the calls on to the private instance of Implementer (obviously multiple inheritance would be better than this, but you go to war with the army you have, not the army you wish you had).
Update: what about just adding a public instance of your class to each of the derived classes?
public class DerivedClass1 : ThirdPartyClass1
{
public MyClass myClass = new MyClass();
}
Or if you care who Demeter is and you get paid by LOC:
public class DerivedClass1 : ThirdPartyClass1
{
private MyClass _myClass = new MyClass();
public MyClass myClass
{
get
{
return _myClass;
}
}
}
Then you'd just call the MyClass methods like this:
DerivedClass1 dc1 = new DerivedClass1();
dc1.myClass.DoSomething();
This way, we could all go to sleep.
Similar to MusiGenesis's suggestion, if you need the functionality of the 3rd party classes but do not have to descend from them, you could use composition as follows:
class ThirdPartyBaseClass1
{
public void DoOne() {}
}
class ThirdPartyBaseClass2
{
public void DoTwo() { }
}
class ThirdPartyBaseClass3
{
public void DoThree() { }
}
abstract class Base
{
public void DoAll() { }
}
class Class1 : Base
{
public void DoOne() { _doer.DoOne(); }
private readonly ThirdPartyBaseClass1 _doer = new ThirdPartyBaseClass1();
}
class Class2 : Base
{
public void DoTwo() { _doer.DoTwo(); }
private readonly ThirdPartyBaseClass2 _doer = new ThirdPartyBaseClass2();
}
class Class3 : Base
{
public void DoThree() { _doer.DoThree(); }
private readonly ThirdPartyBaseClass3 _doer = new ThirdPartyBaseClass3();
}
This also gives you the freedom to define whatever interfaces you want and implement them on your classes.
Sounds like you need to insert the new abstract class into the inheritance tree at whatever point those three paths come together, but there really isn't enough information to tell. If you could post some of your inheritance tree, that would help a lot.
I think you may want to use composition instead of inheritance. Exactly how to do this depends on what the third party classes look like, and what your own code looks like. Some more specific code relating to your problem would be helpful, but for example, suppose you want to have three different third party GUI widgets that all need to be customized with your own initializer code.
Case 1: Suppose your third party widgets look like:
public interface IThirdPartyWidget {
public void doWidgetStuff();
}
public class ThirdPartyWidget1: ThirdyPartyWidget implements IThirdPartyWidget {
...
}
public class ThirdPartyWidget2: ThirdPartyWidget implements IThirdPartyWidget {
...
}
You can do:
public class MyWidget implements IThirdPartyWidget {
private IThirdPartyWidget delegateWidget;
public MyWidget(IThirdPartyWidget delegateWidget) {
this.delegateWidget = delegateWidget;
}
public void doWidgetStuff() {
delegateWidget.doWidgetStuff();
}
}
Case 2: Suppose you absolutely need to extend those widgets, and you have to refactor your own code:
public class MyWidget1: ThirdPartyWidget1 {
public void myMethod() {
runMyCode();
}
private void runMyCode() {
//something complicated happens
}
}
public class MyWidget2: ThirdPartyWidget2 {
public void myMethod() {
runMyCode();
}
private void runMyCode() {
//something complicated happens
}
}
This can become:
public class MyCodeRunner {
public void runMyCode() {
//...
}
}
public class MyWidget1: ThirdPartyWidget1 {
private MyCodeRunner myCode = new MyCodeRunner();
public void myMethod() {
myCode .runMyCode();
}
}
public class MyWidget2: ThirdPartyWidget2 {
private MyCodeRunner myCode = new MyCodeRunner();
public void myMethod() {
myCode .runMyCode();
}
}
Hope this makes sense!

abstract method in a virtual class

I have a c# Class that has lots of virtual methods, some of these methods are essentially abstract ( they are fully implemented in subclasses and the base class is empty).
To get it to compile i am throwing an InvalidOperationException in the base class with a comment on what should be done. This just feels dirty.
Is there a better way to design my classes?
edit:
It is for the middle tier of an application that will be ran in canada, half of the methods are generic hence the virtual. and half of the methods are province specific.
Public class PersonComponent()
{
public GetPersonById(Guid id) {
//Code to get person - same for all provinces
}
Public virtual DeletePerson(Guid id) {
//Common code
}
Public virtual UpdatePerson(Person p) {
throw new InvalidOperation("I wanna be abstract");
}
Public Class ABPersonComponent : PersonComponent
{
public override DeletePerson(Guid id)
{
//alberta specific delete code
}
public override UpdatePerson(Person p)
{
//alberta specific update codecode
}
}
hope this makes sense
Mark the base class as abstract, as well as the methods that have no implementation.
Like so
public abstract class BaseClass
{
public abstract void AbstractMethod();
}
public class SubClass: BaseClass
{
public override void AbstractMethod()
{
//Do Something
}
}
You can't have abstract methods outside of an abstract class. Marking a class as abstract means you won't be able to instantiate it. But then it doesn't make any sense to. What are you going to do with a class that doesn't implement the methods anyway?
Edit: From looking at your class, yeah I'd make PersonComponent abstract along with the UpdatePerson method. Either that, or if UpdatePerson just doesn't do anything for a PersonComponent keep it as is, but make the UpdatePerson method empty for PersonComponent.
Think about your object hierarchy. Do you want to share common code for all your derived classes, then implement base functionality in the base class.
When having shared base code, please notice the Template pattern. Use a public method and chain it to a protected virtual method with the core/shared implementation. End the shared implementation methodname with "Core".
For example:
public abstract class BaseClass
{
protected virtual void DeletePersonCore(Guid id)
{
//shared code
}
public void DeletePerson(Guid id)
{
//chain it to the core
DeletePersonCore(id);
}
}
public class DerivedClass : BaseClass
{
protected override void DeletePersonCore(Guid id)
{
//do some polymorphistic stuff
base.DeletePersonCore(id);
}
}
public class UsageClass
{
public void Delete()
{
DerivedClass dc = new DerivedClass();
dc.DeletePerson(Guid.NewGuid());
}
}

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