How to add Moles to your C# project

Mocking frameworks normally do not allow you to mock static properties and methods. You can use the "Moles" to provide a mock implementation of these properties. "Moles" is a lightweight framework for test stubs and detours in .NET that is based on delegates. Moles may be used to detour any .NET method, including non-virtual/static methods in sealed types.

The example below refers to "MyName2" project, which can be downloaded from here. In this project, I will provide a mock implementation of "Name" property in "Program" class.

• The first thing is to download and Install 64 bit version of moles from here
• Add a reference to Microsoft.Moles.Framework assembly to the project, which is to be tested. (MyName2).
• Add the following lines in Propeties\AssemblyInfo.cs of the main project. (MyName2)
  1. using Microsoft.Moles.Framework;
  2. [assembly: MoledType(typeof(MyName2.Program))]
• Replace "MyName2.Program" with the class containing the static property/method that you want to mole

• In the test project, (MyName2.Tests), right-click on the assembly that contain the class whose property you want to mole (MyName2) and click "Add Mole Assembly"

  • A file by the name of <AssemblyName>.moles will be added to your test project. (MyName2.moles)
• Build the test project so that a mole assembly is added in reference. Its name will have ".Moles" appended to the names of the assembly that you molded. (MyName2.Moles)

• In the C# file that you are writing unit-tests, add the following line

  • 1. using Microsoft.Moles.Framework;

• In the test method you want to use mole, add the following line under [TestMethod]

  • 1. using Microsoft.Moles.Framework;
• Use the moled type to provide a delegate to the static method/property (MProgram.NameGet) which will be called when a get is done on Program.Name.

The main link to Microsoft Moles is http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/moles/

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