How can generate views in asp.net-mvc unit tests?

Question

Im trying to generate views in unit tests but i can't get around the missing VirtualPathProvider. Most viewengines use the VirtualPathProviderViewEngine base class that gets the provider from the current HostingEnvironment.

protected VirtualPathProvider VirtualPathProvider {
    get {
        if (_vpp == null) {
            _vpp = HostingEnvironment.VirtualPathProvider;
        }
        return _vpp;
    }
    set {
        _vpp = value;
    }
}

In unit tests there is no HostingEnvironment, even if i create one there is no current VirtualPathProvider.

How can i workaround this problem? Do i have to create a custom FakeWebFormViewEngine?

Answer 1

There are features coming in VS Team System 2010 for the Acceptance Testing which would be appropriate for what you are trying to do. As mentioned by Gregory A Beamer Unit tests for MVC are done to the controller. You can also test the Model depending on how you implement your model.

This is where there is a lot of controversy. Some people look at the model as business entities where I look at them as representations of the model specific to the View. More of a View Model. Since there is no real functionality in my model I do not have to test it. I test my DAL, Business Logic Layer outside of the MVC. MVC really is all part of the presentation layer. It is layering of your Presentation not your application. You still layer your application.

As far as Unit testing goes the controller is where you test. You can test your model if there are methods that require testing. As for the views they are acceptance tested by users or through automation like Watin.