If you're a Salesforce developer, you're probably familiar with the importance and reliability of test classes. They're like the foundation of quality control, ensuring your code works correctly and follows Salesforce's strict testing rules.
But to implement these test classes, you should know its deploying method correctly. Therefore, we created this guide to dive you into the world of "Test Class Methods in Salesforce."
This guide will help developers, administrators, or anyone looking to understand test class methods in Salesforce development. Further, we'll help you understand why test classes matter, show you the best ways to use them, and teach you how to make the most of them in your Salesforce development journey.
So, let’s get started!
What are Test Classes in Salesforce
Test classes in Salesforce are a fundamental part of the development process within the Salesforce ecosystem. They serve as a dedicated set of code designed to validate and test the functionality of custom code components like Apex triggers, classes, and controllers.
Besides, these test classes create a controlled environment where developers can simulate various scenarios, manipulate data, and execute specific actions to verify the behavior of their code. They are crucial to confirm that new features or changes to existing functionalities don’t damage the system's integrity and reliability.
Moreover, test classes measure the code coverage, ensuring that a significant portion of the custom code has been tested and meets the required coverage rule before deployment to production.
Test Class Methods in Salesforce
Test classes assist developers in pinpointing and fixing potential issues. These test classes ensure the correctness of custom code and contribute to elevating the overall quality and stability of Salesforce systems.
However, you should employ specific methods to create and execute these test classes. Without using these methods properly, the testing process may be incomplete or inaccurate, potentially leading to unpredictable problems within the Salesforce environment.
Below are some test class methods in Salesforce that will help you.
1. enableChangeDataCapture()
Explanation: This is a part of an Apex test that makes notifications about changes in data for different types of records.
Usage: It ensures that when you run an Apex test, it can activate triggers that respond to changes in data.
2. createStub(parentType, stubProvider)
Explanation: This method helps create a stubbed version of the Salesforce Apex class, which can be handy for testing. You can use it with the “System.StubProvider“ interface to create a framework for simulating things.
Usage: When you use it with the System.StubProvider interface, you can control how the stubbed object behaves, which can be super helpful for testing different scenarios.
3. getEventBus()
Description: This method provides a way to work with event messages, like notifications or updates, in an Apex test.
Usage: It is helpful inside a Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest() block to control how to handle events during testing. It helps you simulate event-related actions in your test.
4. enqueueBatchJobs(numberOfJobs)
Explanation: This method lets you put a certain number of "empty" jobs in a queue used for testing.
Usage: It's helpful when you want to make testing faster. Instead of using actual batch jobs for testing, you can simulate batch jobs in a queue with the help of this method.
5. getStandardPricebookId()
Explanation: This method returns the standard price book’s ID in the organization. It is like a reference book for product prices.
Usage: It doesn't matter if your test can access organization data or not; this method will still return the standard price book’s ID.
6. getFlexQueueOrder()
Explanation: The “getFlexQueueOrder()” method helps you return job IDs ordered list in a test-context queue.
Usage: This method helps you retrieve flex queue job IDs for testing purposes.
7. isRunningTest()
Explanation: This is employed when distinct code execution paths are required based on whether the call is made from a test context.
Usage: The “isRunningTest()” method helps identify if your code runs in a testing environment. It ensures that the code behaves as expected during tests.
8. loadData(sObjectToken, resourceName)
Explanation: It adds test records into the designated sObject type from the specified static resource .csv file and provides a list of the newly inserted sObjects.
Usage: To utilize this method, you need a pre-existing static file in CSV format containing field values and names for test records. The static resource should have one of the following MIME types: application/vnd.ms-excel, text/csv, or application/octet-stream.
9.newSendEmailQuickActionDefaults(contextId, replyToId)
Explanation: This method generates a new QuickAction.
Usage: This method creates a new “QuickAction” object, which comes pre-configured to send emails, with default values for reply-to IDs and context.
10. setCreatedDate(recordId, createdDatetime)
Explanation: The “setCreatedDate(recordId, createdDatetime)” method sets the CreatedDate for a sObject within a test context.
Usage: During Salesforce tests, any modifications/changes made to the database are reverted upon completion, and this function is exclusively applicable to newly created records. So, you should invoke it after the test record insertion, and it is advisable to avoid setting a future date to prevent unexpected consequences.
Benefits of a Salesforce Test Class
Test classes in Salesforce offer several advantages, including:
Bug Cost Reduction: Test classes help you identify and repair issues, ultimately reducing the cost associated with debugging and troubleshooting.
Bulk Testing Capability: They empower developers to conduct extensive tests on multiple scenarios simultaneously, ensuring the robustness of the code under various conditions.
Output Assurance: Test classes help you achieve the expected outcomes consistently by enhancing the reliability and predictability of the application's behavior.
Enhanced Production Quality: By strictly testing code in a controlled environment, test classes contribute to delivering high-quality applications to the production organization, which, in turn, enhances the productivity and satisfaction of end-users in the production environment.
Sum Up
Our in-depth guide on test class methods in Salesforce describes how essential are these test methods for ensuring the reliability and strength of Salesforce applications.
In addition, these testing methods help you save time and effort in identifying and fixing problems, allow you to test multiple scenarios at once, guarantee that your applications work as intended, and ultimately lead to better-quality applications for users.
You might also like: Test Class for Trigger in Salesforce.