Adding Tests

How to add your own tests for Thunderbird.

Generally, tests live near the code they are testing, however some old tests are in a separate test directory.

This document doesn't cover actually writing tests, for that see this page for Mochitests:

• Writing Mochitest Tests

And also these pages:

• Writing xpcshell-based unit tests

• Mochitest (archived MDN content)

(Just note that these pages are Firefox-centric and include some ancient ideas and practices.)

XPCShell & Mochitest

Tests should be added to a directory near the code they are located. For example, code in mail/components/extensions is tested by tests in mail/components/extensions/test. Inside the test directory is a subdirectory named after the type of test: browser for mochitests (as in Firefox terms they are "browser-chrome" mochitests), and xpcshell or unit for XPCShell tests.

A new directory needs a test manifest:

XPCShell test manifest (xpcshell.ini)

The default section isn't even necessary here, but you probably want to add a head.js file if you're going to have more than one test.

xpcshell.ini

[default]
prefs =
  calendar.timezone.local=UTC

[test_firstTest.js]

The calendar preferences in line 3 is unnecessary outside of the calendar tests. Calendar tests always run in UTC.

Mochitest manifest (browser.ini)

Mochitest needs some prefs set, or automated testing will fail.

browser.ini

[default]
prefs =
  calendar.timezone.local=UTC
  calendar.week.start=0
  ldap_2.servers.osx.description=
  ldap_2.servers.osx.dirType=-1
  ldap_2.servers.osx.uri=
  mail.provider.suppress_dialog_on_startup=true
  mail.spotlight.firstRunDone=true
  mail.winsearch.firstRunDone=true
  mailnews.start_page.override_url=about:blank
  mailnews.start_page.url=about:blank
subsuite = thunderbird

[browser_firstTest.js]

The calendar preferences in lines 3-4 are unnecessary outside of the calendar tests. Calendar tests always run in UTC with the week starting on Sunday.

Linking to manifests

The next thing you need to do is tell mach about your new test manifest. In the nearest moz.build file, add these lines as appropriate:

moz.build

BROWSER_CHROME_MANIFESTS += [
    'test/browser/browser.ini',
]
XPCSHELL_TESTS_MANIFESTS += [
    'test/xpcshell/xpcshell.ini',
]