Outputting text in unit tests

Question

When I run my unit tests, I would like to print out and read how long it takes to run a function. I tried using Console.WriteLine() and Trace.WriteLine(), but that didn't work. What is the proper method I should be using?

I have the following unit test

[TestMethod()]
public void ProductSerializationTest()
{
    Stopwatch swSerialization = new Stopwatch();
    swSerialization.Start();
    SerializeProductsToXML(dummyProductList, XMLFolderPath);
    swSerialization.Stop();
    // Print out swSerialization.Elapsed value
 }

Answer 1

If you're using Visual Studio with its built-in testing support, the output of System.Diagnostics.Trace.WriteLine will go to the test results report. That is, after your test has run, double-click its entry in the Test Results list, and there will be a section called "Debug Trace" in the test run report.

Answer 2

I had the same problem. I eventually found the solution.

Notice the green check or red x when you run the test in Visual Studio? Now click that and then click the link that says output.

That shows all the Trace.WriteLine()s for me, even when not in debug mode.