CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++unit-testingdatetime
Steve
Steve

Reputation: 4097

C++ Setting the Date for localtime

I have a piece of C++ code in C++11 that uses localtime function (doc) to get the time. If the day is my birthday, it returns a birthday message. 

std::string message = getDailyMessage();

I would now like to make a unit test that determines if the code outputs the right value on my birthday and not on my birthday. Is there a way to programmatically set the value returned by localtime before two adjacent calls? Is it possible to do without mucking around with the actual system time?

setTime(NOT_BIRTHDAY);
EXPECT_STREQ(NOT_BIRTHDAY_MESSAGE, getDailyMessage());
setTime(BIRTHDAY);
EXPECT_STREQ(BIRTDAY_MESSAGE, getDailyMessage());

Upvotes: 1

Views: 358

Answers (1)

bolov
bolov

Reputation: 75755

You could make getDailyMessage take the time by parameter. This makes unit testing a breeze and adds the flexibility of being able to use it in other contexts. For instance you could use it to print the yesterday's message.

Upvotes: 3

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