Visual Studio 2019: The Powerful IDE

If you’re a developer looking to build and debug different applications across multiple platforms, Visual Studio 2019 is the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for you. But what sets this IDE apart from the rest is its Test Explorer feature, a powerful tool that allows developers to manage and run unit tests for their application code.

What is Test Explorer?

The Test Explorer in Visual Studio 2019 is a window that offers developers a snapshot of their unit tests. It helps developers identify and track issues that might arise in their code, allowing them to write robust and reliable programs effortlessly. The Test Explorer window lists all the available tests in the solution, allowing developers to run and manage their tests efficiently.

How to Open Test Explorer in Visual Studio 2019

The Test Explorer is just a few keystrokes away! Here are the steps:

Step 1:

Open your solution file in Visual Studio 2019.

Step 2:

Select Test -> Windows -> Test Explorer from the top menu bar.

Step 3:

A much quicker way is to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + E, T to open Test Explorer.

Step 4:

The Test Explorer window will open at the bottom of the Visual Studio window.

Step 5:

If the Test Explorer window is not visible, you can open it using the View -> Other Windows -> Test Explorer option.

Using Test Explorer in Visual Studio 2019

Now that you have the Test Explorer open, the fun begins! Here are a few things you can do:

• To add a new unit test, right-click on the class, select Add -> Unit Test, and choose the framework you want to write the test. Visual Studio 2019 supports various testing frameworks, including MSTest, NUnit, Xunit, and others.
• To run a test, select the test you want to run from the Test Explorer window, right-click on it, and select the Run option. Alternatively, you can run all the tests by clicking on the Run All button at the top of the Test Explorer window.
• To debug a failing test, select the test from the Test Explorer window, right-click on it, and select Debug Selected Tests. This will launch the debug session, allowing you to step through the code and resolve the issue.

In Conclusion

The Test Explorer in Visual Studio 2019 is an essential tool for any developer, and understanding how to open and use it is crucial. Now that you know how to use Test Explorer, dive in and start writing tests for your applications!