Can I write into the console in a unit test? If yes, why doesn't the console window open?

Question

I have a test project in Visual Studio. I use Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting.

I add this line in one of my unit tests:

Console.W         


        

Answer 1

IMHO, output messages are relevant only for failed test cases in most cases. I made up the below format, and you can make your own too. This is displayed in the Visual Studio Test Explorer Window itself.

How can we throw this message in the Visual Studio Test Explorer Window?

Sample code like this should work:

if(test_condition_fails)
    Assert.Fail(@"Test Type: Positive/Negative.
                Mock Properties: someclass.propertyOne: True
                someclass.propertyTwo: True
                Test Properties: someclass.testPropertyOne: True
                someclass.testPropertyOne: False
                Reason for Failure: The Mail was not sent on Success Task completion.");

You can have a separate class dedicated to this for you.