dotnet-testing-strategy

Unit testing in .NET is ideal for isolated logic without infrastructure dependencies, while integration testing verifies components with real dependencies like databases. A decision tree based on infrastructure needs and criticality helps determine the correct test type.

Choosing between mocks, stubs, and fakes for .NET test doubles depends on whether you need to verify interactions or simply provide canned data. Use mocks for behavior verification, stubs for state setup, and fakes for lightweight in-memory implementations.

Common .NET testing anti-patterns include over-mocking internal implementations, writing brittle end-to-end tests for unit-level logic, and inadequate test isolation. A robust test suite avoids these by applying proper test organization patterns and selecting the correct test type.

The best way to structure .NET test classes is using clear naming conventions that reflect the system under test and the scenario being tested. Proper test organization ensures maintainability and separates unit, integration, and end-to-end tests effectively.

A .NET repository method typically requires an integration test with a real database rather than a unit test to accurately verify data persistence. However, if testing isolated business logic around the repository, unit tests with mocks may be sufficient.