Is the code coverage a sufficient metric

 
 
  • Gérald Barré

When creating unit tests, it is generally attempted to have the highest possible code coverage. The ultimate goal is to have 100%. But once this goal is achieved, the code is actually tested correctly. Can you say there is no bug in your application? Let's look at it with an example.

C#
public class Foo
{
    private int _add = 42;

    public int Bar(int x)
    {
        x += _add;
        return x;
    }
}

We logically write the following test:

C#
[TestMethod()]
public void BarTest()
{
    Foo target = new Foo();
    Assert.AreEqual(42, target.Bar(0));
}

With this test we have a code coverage of 100%. Nothing extraordinary here. Let's change the function:

C#
public int Bar(int x)
{
    x += _add;
    _add++;
    return x;
}

We added an error. Indeed now we increment the field _add at each call. However, the test is still successful and the code coverage is always 100%. In our case invariance tests, often forgotten (when they are applicable), solve the problem.

C#
[TestMethod()]
public void BarTest()
{
    Foo target = new Foo();
    Assert.AreEqual(target.Bar(0), target.Bar(0));
}

To conclude, code coverage is a good way to know when you forgot to test a piece of code. However, it is not enough. Indeed you can test all the lines, if you do not test properly, it's useless…

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