Section 13.2. JUnit: Why All the Fuss?

13.2. JUnit: Why All the Fuss?

JUnit is a framework for unit tests. It consists of a handful of classes which you can use to build bunches of test cases for testing your application. JUnit also comes with three test "runners" for running your tests and reporting the test results. So why all the fuss? Why has JUnit been so much in the technical forefront the last year or two?

Start with a straightforward idea, well executed, that can help almost any programmer working on any application. Make it something that can be integrated incrementally into existing projects. Make it robust enough to be used for projects starting "from scratch." Give it a simple but pleasing GUI, and put it to work on a few high-profile projects. Give it some good press coverage. And you've got a winner: You've got JUnit. Besides, it really does help you get useful work done; it makes writing tests a little less work and a little more enjoyable. And working with well-tested code is its own rewarda satisfying experience.