OpenFOAM unit testing
 

Does anyone have any good ideas on how to write unit tests for OpenFOAM code? As far as I can tell, the OpenFOAM source sort of has unit tests in applications/test, but there appear to be no assertions, and no framework for building, calling and summarizing the tests. Is it better to simply write whole simulation cases and ensure these give the correct outputs? That option seems hard to automate.

Quick answers:

1. There was an effort on this front I saw here on the forum, which you had commented on: http://www.cfd-online.com/Forums/ope...oam-mocks.html
2. The closest to unit testing in OpenFOAM is currently:
   • Inside the folder "tutorials" is a script named "Alltest" which will run all tutorials for only a few iterations. This was designed as a quick way to do a broad test to all tutorials, therefore checking most solvers and meshers if they are operational.
   • Inside the folder "applications/test" are coding unit tests for specific functionalities.
   • Last but not least, there is the "debug" by switches that OpenFOAM has got: http://openfoamwiki.net/index.php/HowTo_debugging - see section Getting built-in feedback from OpenFOAM
   • As for assertions, have a look at the existing error messaging mechanism. For example, Henry recently did this commit: https://github.com/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM...7168c945ab71e6
3. In foam-extend there is a bit more advanced unit testing, using CDash: http://openfoamwiki.net/index.php/Extend-testHarness - sorry, I'm still not familiar with who it does things, but that wiki page is very detailed!!
4. In OpenFOAM a more dedicated unit test framework is pending sponsorship or contribution: http://www.openfoam.org/mantisbt/view.php?id=406