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Java Unit Testing in Java What to Test Exceptions

Leonard Morrison
PLUS
Leonard Morrison
Courses Plus Student 32,914 Points
Posted by Leonard Morrison
Leonard Morrison
Courses Plus Student 32,914 Points

Base exception doesn't work on this test.

For some Reason, the base exception does not work when I try to test the program. Craig's been talking about it like it's real important and all, but I fail to see why I shouldn't use the specific exception. Does it not cover it? Did the InvalidLocationException suddenly become a special exception? What gives?

package com.teamtreehouse.vending;

import org.junit.Before;
import org.junit.Test;

import static org.junit.Assert.*;

/**
 * Created by Leban on 2016-06-09.
 */
public class AlphaNumericChooserTest {

    private AlphaNumericChooser chooser;
    @Before
    public void setUp() throws Exception {
    chooser = new AlphaNumericChooser(26, 10);
    }

    @Test
    public void validInputReturnsProperLocation() throws Exception{
        AlphaNumericChooser.Location loc = chooser.locationFromInput("D2");

        assertEquals("Right row", 3, loc.getRow());
        assertEquals("", 1, loc.getColumn());


    }

    @Test
    public void choosingWrongInputIsNotAllowed() throws Exception {
        chooser.locationFromInput("WRONG");

    }
}
Simon Coates
Simon Coates
28,694 Points
Simon Coates
Simon Coates
28,694 Points

I think the code that Craig Dennis includes currently, the InvalidLocationException isn't an exception, but extends throwable (the superclass of exception). A couple other users have noted they've had trouble with this.

3 Answers

Jorge Otero
Jorge Otero
16,380 Points
Jorge Otero
Jorge Otero
16,380 Points

This error occur cuz in the version of the project "Vending" that you are using InvalidLocationException extends to Throwable, so if you open InvalidLocationException and change Throwable for Exception it will work.

Shane Robinson
Shane Robinson
7,324 Points
Shane Robinson
Shane Robinson
7,324 Points

If I'm not mistaken it should be:

@Test(expected = Exception.class)

Instead of only @Test. Because @Test will consider any exception being thrown as a failure. I don't know if that actually answers your question though. :s

Simon Coates
Simon Coates
28,694 Points
Simon Coates
Simon Coates
28,694 Points

Given the current state of the code, the solution might be to change InvalidLocationException to extend Exception (rather than throwable) or try something like:

    @Test (expected = InvalidLocationException.class)
    public void choosingWrongInputIsNotAllowed() throws Throwable {
        alpha.locationFromInput("B4");

    }