Apex Unit Testing

Introduction to Apex Unit Testing

Apex unit testing is essential for ensuring that your Salesforce code behaves as expected. By using Test.startTest and Test.stopTest, you can isolate and test your Apex logic, confirm that it performs correctly, and maintain high-quality code. In this guide, we'll explore the fundamentals of Apex unit testing and provide examples to help you implement effective tests.

Setting Up Your Test Class

To create a unit test in Apex, you'll need to set up a test class. This class should be annotated with @isTest, and it will contain methods that are also annotated with @isTest. These methods will validate the functionality of your Apex classes and triggers.

Using Test.startTest and Test.stopTest

Salesforce provides the Test.startTest and Test.stopTest methods to help you test your code's execution in a controlled environment. The Test.startTest method is used to reset governor limits and start a new execution context within your test method. This is useful when you want to focus on a specific part of the code.

Asserting Test Results

Assertions are used to verify that the actual outcomes of your code match the expected outcomes. They help you confirm that the code behaves as intended under various conditions. Salesforce provides several assertion methods, such as System.assert, System.assertEquals, and System.assertNotEquals.

Best Practices for Apex Unit Testing

• Isolation: Ensure that your tests do not rely on external data and are isolated from one another.
• Coverage: Strive for at least 75% code coverage, which is required by Salesforce for deployment.
• Descriptive Names: Use descriptive names for your test methods to clearly indicate what is being tested.
• Data Creation: Create test data within your test methods to ensure consistency and reliability.
• Use Assertions: Include assertions to validate that the outcomes match your expectations.