PHP unit testing protected variables in an abstract class

Question

Here is the code I'm trying to unit test:

public function getDao () {
    $dao = '';

    if (isset($this->_dao)) {
        $dao = $this->_dao;
    } else {
        $dao = new $this->_daoClassName; 
    }

    return $dao;
}

The class is an abstract class, and $_daoClassName is a protected variable. Each concrete class sets a value for $_daoClassName

How can I unit test this code? I'm trying to use PHPUnit's $this->getMockForAbstractClass() but I don't think I can override the protected method. Alternatively, is there a better pattern I should be using on this getDao() method?

Create a dummy class that extends yours and defines _daoClassName with an expected value. — zerkms
– zerkms, Commented Jul 6, 2013 at 13:41

hek2mgl · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-06 13:48:55Z

1

I would highly recommend a function like:

abstract protected function getDaoClassName();

Which should be implement by sub classes. (enforced through abstract)

Then you can configure your mock in a way that the function returns a certain value:

$stub = $this->getMockForAbstractClass('YourClass');
$stub->expects($this->any())
     ->method('getDaoClassName')
     ->will($this->returnValue('SomeDaoClass'));

And then test the method:

$dao = $stub->getDao();
$this->assertEquals('SomeDaoClass', get_class($dao));

edited Jul 6, 2013 at 13:48

answered Jul 6, 2013 at 13:41

hek2mgl

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