I agree with you that in general changing the behaviour of a module when it is being tested is not a good idea, but in this case I wish the module to add a distinguishing mark to the primary key field of a database record when it is being tested so the records inserted by the test cannot be mistaken for real records. The module will have to work with an active / life database and the records to be inserted are parsed from real life example files which I cannot change.

Your idea of flagging to the module it is being tested is good, but it means I have to rewrite all my tests to add that flag and in the future may not forget to use that flag.

CountZero

A program should be light and agile, its subroutines connected like a string of pearls. The spirit and intent of the program should be retained throughout. There should be neither too little or too much, neither needless loops nor useless variables, neither lack of structure nor overwhelming rigidity." - The Tao of Programming, 4.1 - Geoffrey James

In reply to Re^2: How to make a module aware it is being tested? by CountZero
in thread How to make a module aware it is being tested? by CountZero

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