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Java Unit Testing in Java What to Test The Happy Path and Beyond

Tomas Verblya
Tomas Verblya
1,998 Points
Posted by Tomas Verblya
Tomas Verblya
1,998 Points

Regarding the Vending machine code

So, as I am watching these tutorials, I seem to have found myself at a small crossroads.

What I mean is: I cannot follow the Vending machine code, especially the chooser classes. I can kind of grasp the code, but not comfortably enough. Now I'm going through the videos, and Craig seems to assume that we either know this code, or he just wants us to bear with him and follow him along and only care about the JUnit stuff.

So, I came here after the Learn Java course, and I seem to be needing extra info/studying in to the vending machine code. S

Should I focus on the JUnit stuff, or should I try to analyze the vending machine code first?

angel juarez
angel juarez
15,886 Points
angel juarez
angel juarez
15,886 Points

I'm learning too, I think that you should focus on the JUnit first. For the java code, I suggest you to check the java track if you haven't done it, and also you can try to use the debbuger to check how the code works.

2 Answers

Chris Collier
Chris Collier
17,774 Points
Chris Collier
Chris Collier
17,774 Points

I'm in the same place, and I definitely think that you're correct when you say that he wants us to bear with him. I saw a webcomic about learning to code that talked about the stages of coding and I think the final stage was something like "I don't know everything, but that's ok", and I think that's the point they're trying to drive home here. How have you been doing in the two months since you posted this question? Feeling any better?

angel juarez
angel juarez
15,886 Points
angel juarez
angel juarez
15,886 Points

Yes, thank you. I've been learning more, I have still a lot to learn, but that's why I'm here studying.

Jordan Powell
PLUS
Jordan Powell
Courses Plus Student 5,410 Points
Jordan Powell
Jordan Powell
Courses Plus Student 5,410 Points

You really have to examine the code to understand

 @Override
    public Location locationFromInput(String input) throws InvalidLocationException {
        Pattern pattern = Pattern.compile("^(?<row>[a-zA-Z]{1})(?<column>[0-9]+)$");
        Matcher matcher = pattern.matcher(input);
        if (!matcher.matches()) {
            throw new InvalidLocationException("Invalid buttons");
        }

using the pattern object to organize the references as B4 or A1 like you see in an actual vending machine. You set the rows in your test to 26 because its the length of the alphabet and columns are set to 10 because it's between 0-9. Our test method is checking to see if "B4" is within those parameters. if you were to put "B11" in the locationFromInput method the test would fail. However, I think you should just focus on the testing portion. He is showing when two asserts methods may be necessary and additionally how you can add an optional assertion message to clarify which item is being referenced.