What JavaScript UI testing framework should I use for a simple HTML5 + jQuery app?

Question

I'm about to write a simple HTML5 + JavaScript (jQuery) app in my spare time in order to keep up with the latest web technologies (at work it's more advanced C# backend stuff).

I'd like to develop in the same fashion that I've done for the last ten years or so, namely TDD style.

Being new to the TDD/BDD/AcceptanceTDD world in HTML/JavaScript, my question is: is there a great framework or the like for writing test against a web page in a browser (out-of-the-box support for many browsers being a definitive plus)?

The reason I'd like to use JavaScript is two-fold. 1. I'd like to learn more JavaScript, and 2. I'd like to use the same language(s) for the tests as I do for development.

Otherwise, I could simply use my C# skills and use Selenium, WatiN, or a similar framework.

I've found Jasmine, QUnit, and a homegrown solution using jQuery at MSDN, but don't get a feel for the flow nor complexity, so recommendations and first hand experiences are more than welcome.

Answer 1

JS Test Driver is the framework recommended by the Javascript TDD book from O'Reilly that I'm reading right now. I haven't actually had a chance to play with it much yet, but:

• A dude who wrote a book on JS testing recommends it
• It has a very nice feature set (automated test running across multiple browsers being key)
• It comes from Google (love 'em or hate 'em, they have a lot of smart JS people working there)

So at the very least it's worth checking out I think.

Answer 2

At this point, I'd recommend Jasmine. I've used it successfully on a few projects. I haven't really run up against too many frustrating situations where I just couldn't get something done (unlike other tools). It can be set up in different configurations, depending on your preference-- it can be as simple as opening a page in a browser, or it can be "served" dynamically.

There are dozens of tools out there in general usage-- and so far-- no clear winner. I've tried a quite a few of them, and-- as John Resig points out-- creating a simple testing framework isn't that complicated. But adding some tools to make it convenient is important. Jasmine is the most complete one I've used, but it's not bloated.

Important considerations:

• set up: don't adopt a tool that doesn't work easily out of the box
• style: use a tool that makes sense to you in the context of the rest of your testing tools. For example, if you use BDD tools, find a BDD Javascript framework. This is probably the biggest variance in the frameworks-- might as well pick one that has a syntax you like.
• cross-browser: the tests should work across browsers
• automation: you should be able to script the running of the tests in one or multiple browsers
• testing time-based code-- if you Javascript has behavior tied to the clock (as in animations), having a testing framework the facilitates this is nice
• mocking: jasmine has a nice mocking support that really helps

You really do not need to use Selenium for simple unit tests-- it complicates the configuration and is a more difficult programming model than a simple unit testing framework.