How to Run A Specific Unit Test Using "Make" With Cmake?

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To run a specific unit test using "make" with CMake, you first need to add a new target for the specific unit test in your CMakeLists.txt file. This target should include the executable for the unit test along with any dependencies it may have.


Once you have added the target in CMakeLists.txt, you can then use the "make" command in the terminal to build the target and generate the executable for the specific unit test. You can specify the target name with the "make" command to only build that specific unit test.


For example, if the target for the specific unit test is called "test_specific_unit", you can run the following command in the terminal:

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make test_specific_unit


This command will only build the target for the specific unit test and generate the executable. You can then run the executable to execute the unit test and check the test results.


How to specify a specific unit test to run with cmake?

To specify a specific unit test to run with CMake, you can use the --gtest_filter option when running the test executable. This option allows you to specify a filter pattern that matches the name of the test(s) you want to run.


Here's an example:

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./unit_tests --gtest_filter=<TestName>


Replace <TestName> with the name of the specific unit test you want to run. You can also use a wildcard pattern to match multiple test names, for example:

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./unit_tests --gtest_filter=TestSuite.*


This will run all tests in the TestSuite test suite. Make sure to build your project with CMake first to generate the test executable before running the specific unit test.


How to handle flaky tests in cmake unit testing?

There are a few strategies that can be helpful in handling flaky tests in CMake unit testing:

  1. Increase test stability: One common reason for flaky tests is that they are dependent on external factors such as network availability, hardware resources, or system configuration. Where possible, try to isolate the test environment from these external factors to make the tests more stable.
  2. Use deterministic asserts: Make sure that your test assertions are deterministic and do not rely on non-deterministic factors such as timing or random numbers. This can help make the tests more predictable and less likely to fail intermittently.
  3. Retry failed tests: If a test does fail intermittently, you can consider adding logic to automatically retry the test a certain number of times before marking it as a failure. This can help in catching transient issues.
  4. Investigate the root cause: If you continue to experience flaky tests, it's important to investigate the root cause of the instability. This may involve debugging the test logic, looking at system logs, or analyzing the test environment to identify any potential sources of flakiness.
  5. Consider using a different testing framework: If you are still having trouble with flaky tests, it may be worth exploring different testing frameworks or tools to see if they can provide more reliable results.


By taking these steps, you can help reduce the likelihood of flaky tests in your CMake unit testing and ensure that your test suite provides accurate and reliable results.


How to automate the execution of unit tests with cmake?

To automate the execution of unit tests with CMake, you can follow these steps:

  1. Write your unit tests using a testing framework such as Google Test or Catch2.
  2. Add the unit tests to your CMake project by creating a new CMake file (e.g., CMakeLists.txt) in the directory where your tests are located. In this file, use the add_executable function to create an executable for the unit tests and the target_link_libraries function to link any necessary libraries.
  3. Add a custom target in your main CMakeLists file that will run the unit tests. You can do this by using the add_custom_target function and specifying the command to execute the unit tests.
  4. Add a test target to your main CMakeLists file using the enable_testing and add_test functions. This will allow you to run the tests using the ctest command.
  5. Lastly, use the CMake test command to execute the tests. This command will build the unit test executable and run the tests.


By following these steps, you can automate the execution of unit tests with CMake in your project. This will allow you to easily run your tests to ensure the correctness of your code.

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