Which Go Testing Package Naming Strategy is Right for My Project?

Choosing the Right Package Naming Strategy for Go Testing

In the world of Go programming, proper package naming for testing plays a significant role in ensuring clear and maintainable code. Different strategies exist, each with its own advantages and considerations. This article explores the three most common approaches and provides guidance on selecting the most suitable one.

Overview of Package Naming Strategies

Strategy 1: Same Package for Test and Code

• Code File: github.com/user/myfunc.go (package myfunc)
• Test File: github.com/user/myfunc_test.go (package myfunc)

With this strategy, the test code resides in the same package as the code being tested. It offers access to non-exported identifiers, which is beneficial for white-box testing that requires in-depth knowledge of the internal implementation.

Strategy 2: Separate Package for Test

• Code File: github.com/user/myfunc.go (package myfunc)
• Test File: github.com/user/myfunc_test.go (package myfunc_test)

This approach separates the test code into a different package. It promotes black-box testing by restricting access to only exported identifiers, ensuring that the tests validate the external functionality of the code.

Strategy 3: Importing Test Package with Dot Notation

• Code File: github.com/user/myfunc.go (package myfunc)
• Test File: github.com/user/myfunc_test.go (package myfunc_test)
• Import: import . "myfunc"

Similar to Strategy 2, this variant separates the test code into a different package but allows access to non-exported identifiers via the dot notation. It combines the benefits of both Strategies 1 and 2.

Choosing the Optimal Strategy

The choice between these strategies depends on the specific needs of your testing approach:

• For white-box testing, where access to non-exported entities is crucial, Strategy 1 or Strategy 3 is recommended.
• For black-box testing, focusing on the exported functionality, Strategy 2 is a suitable choice.
• It's possible to use multiple strategies in a project, allowing for both white-box and black-box testing simultaneously.

Additional Considerations

• Package Naming: Conventionally, test packages should be prefixed with "_test".
• Test-Only Dependencies: Avoid adding dependencies specifically for testing purposes.
• Go Language Version: Some Strategies may be deprecated or discouraged in newer versions of Go.

In conclusion, choosing the appropriate package naming strategy for Go testing requires careful consideration of the testing requirements and the desired level of access to the code under test. The strategies outlined in this article provide a solid foundation for selecting the most suitable approach for the specific project needs.

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