Nunit3TestAdapter and TFS Build vNext: Getting a warning: Dependent Assembly nunit.framework not found within VS Test step

Question

I've been scouring various Nunit articles for the past several days trying to figure out the issue with why my Nunit tests are not running.

I am using TFS 2015 Build vNext engine and the Visual Studio Test step to execute my Nunit test cases. The VS 2015 solution used for generating the Nunit test dlls contains the several .net projects and 2 Nunit test projects. Nunit3.0 and Nunit3.0 Test Nuget packages are being used to create and execute the tests. Here is the nuget configuration and nunit.framework reference in my Visual Studio 2015 solution. The test cases run fine in the Visual Studio IDE and compile without error when the solution is build in vNext.

When the VS Test step executes in Build vNext, I get the following warning:

Warning: Dependent Assembly nunit.framework of E:\TFSBuild_Directory\14\s\EBS\B_WebEnable\ABC.Data\ABC.Data.Core.Nunit.Tests\obj\UnitTesting\ABC.Data.Core.Nunit.Tests.dll not found. Can be ignored if not a NUnit project.

The VS Test step is configured: VS Test Step Configuration

I have confirmed on the build server that the nuget packages are getting restored to the build server and the Nunit.framework.dll appear to be in the expected file path as compared to my local path.

Any ideas as to what could be causing this issue? Any input is appreciated!

Answer 1

Ok - after stepping away from the issue and coming back to it with fresh eyes, I found the issue causing the nunit.framework.dll issue.

After going step by step through the build definition, I forgot that I had an MSBuild parameter in the build step that was copying the compiled output to another location /p:OutDir=$(build.stagingDirectory)\ABC. Once I changed the test step to point to the new location, everything worked fine. Thanks everyone for the feedback!

Answer 2

I have restored Nunit and Nunit3TestAdapter from Nuget to have a test on my side, but couldn't reproduce your issue. I'd like to share my steps here for your reference:

1. Restore Nunit and Nunit3TestAdapter from Nuget in VS for the test project (as your first screenshot), and check in the packages.config file.

2. In "Visual Studio Test" task, specify $(Build.SourcesDirectory)\packages in "Path to Custom Test Adaptors". As if there is a packages folder in the sources directory, it is automatically searched for testadapters (It seems you have a long path, you may need to check it).

3. I use the default VS template:

No error or warning occurred during this process. You can compare your steps with mine and correct yours. Hope this helps you.