Mocking Frameworks Considered Harmful

Explore the complexities of mocking frameworks in software development through this ACCU Conference talk. Delve into the challenges of writing effective unit tests for existing code bases and external libraries. Learn about test stubs, mocking frameworks like GoogleMock, and their associated domain-specific languages. Examine the potential drawbacks of using mocking frameworks, including learning curves, debugging difficulties, and increased code coupling. Discover alternative approaches, such as Cevelop's Mockator and simple C++ solutions, for refactoring existing code and creating test stubs or mocks. Gain insights into when and why to avoid mocking, and understand various refactoring techniques like dependency injection, object seams, and template seams. Analyze the pros and cons of different testing approaches to improve your software development practices and create more maintainable, testable code.