Using Transact-SQL Assertions in Database Unit Tests
In a database unit test, a Transact-SQL test script runs and returns a result. Sometimes, the results are returned as a results set. You can validate results by using test conditions. For example, you can use a test condition to check how many rows were returned in a specific result set or to verify how long a particular test took to run. For more information about test conditions, see Using Test Conditions in Database Unit Tests.
Instead of using test conditions, you can also use Transact-SQL assertions, which are RAISERROR statements in a Transact-SQL script. In certain circumstances, you might prefer to use a Transact-SQL assertion instead of a test condition.
Using Transact-SQL Assertions
You should consider the following points before you decide to validate data either by using Transact-SQL assertions or by using test conditions.
Performance. It is faster to run a Transact-SQL assertion on the server than to first move data to a client computer and manipulate it locally.
Familiarity with language. You might prefer a particular language based on your current expertise and therefore choose Transact-SQL assertions or C# or Visual Basic test conditions.
Complicated validation. In some instances, you can build more complex test validation more just in C# or Visual Basic and validate your tests on the client.
Legacy validation libraries. If you already have code that performs validation, you can use it in a database unit test instead of using test conditions.
Mark Unit Test Methods with the Expected Exception
To mark a database unit test method with expected exceptions, add the following attribute:
<ExpectedSqlException(MessageNumber=nnnnn, Severity=x, MatchFirstError=false, State=y)> _
[ExpectedSqlException(MessageNumber=nnnnn, Severity=x, MatchFirstError=false, State=y)]
Where:
nnnnn is the number of the expected message, for example 14025
x is the severity of the expected exception
y is the state of the expected exception
Any unspecified parameters are ignored. You pass these parameters to the RAISERROR statement in your database code. If you specify MatchFirstError = true, the attribute will match any of the SqlErrors in the exception. The default behavior (MatchFirstError = true) is to only match the first error that occurs.
For an example of how to use expected exceptions and a negative database unit test, see Walkthrough: Creating and Running a Database Unit Test.
The RAISERROR Statement
You can directly use Transact-SQL assertions on the server by using the RAISERROR statement in your Transact-SQL script. Its syntax is:
**RAISERROR (@ErrorMessage, @ErrorSeverity, @ErrorState)**
where:
@ErrorMessage is any user-defined error message. You can format this message string similar to the printf_s function.
@ErrorSeverity is a user-defined severity level from 0 – 18.
Note
The values '0' and '10' for the severity level do not cause the database unit test to fail. You can use any other value in the range 0 - 18 to cause the test to fail.
@ErrorState is an arbitrary integer from 1 – 127. You can use this integer to differentiate between occurrences of a single error that is raised at different locations in the code.
For more information, see RAISERROR (Transact-SQL) in the SQL Server Books Online on the Microsoft web site. An example of using RAISERROR in a database unit test is provided in the topic, How to: Write a Database Unit Test that Runs within the Scope of a Single Transaction.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Open a Database Unit Test to Edit