How to debug your Pex parameterized unit tests

We talked before about Microsoft Pex, and how it choose the shown inputs. We then talked more about building blocks of parameterized unit tests and its patterns.

What we missed till now is how to debug your parameterized unit tests. In order to debug your parameterized unit tests, do the following:

  • Go to Tools » Options » Pex » Diagnostic.
  • Change the BreakOnStart option to True.

Options_2013-08-13_13-01-05

  • Now set a break point at any line of code inside your parameterized unit test.
  • Right click inside your parameterized unit test and select Run Pex Explorations.
  • You will see a dialog popping asking to attach a debugger.
  • Select your current Visual Studio instance.

Visual Studio Just-In-Time Debugger_2013-08-13_13-17-20

  • Once attached, press F5.
  • Now Visual Studio debugger will jump to your break point in the parameterized unit test and stop there. You can now step through you parameterized unit test code.

You will notice that parameter’s values are those selected by Pex. The debugger will run the parameterized unit test for each input value(s) chosen by Pex, So you can inspect the PUT behavior against a specific input value.