Visual Studio native unit testing: Debug/console output?

Question

Can anyone tell me how to enable or get debug or console text output when running unit tests in a native (C++) test project in Visual Studio 2012?

Answer should not include the phrase, "use Google Test".

Will switching subsystem to console help? (project properties/linker/system) — Valentin H
– Valentin H, Commented May 29, 2015 at 11:31
Nice idea but alas, no. My code is outputting text using OutputDebugStringA and OutputDebugStringW. I guess I need to use some other library? — Robinson
– Robinson, Commented May 29, 2015 at 11:33
I kind of solved it. The debug output shows in the debug output window if you right-click and choose `debug' on whichever test in the test explorer window. Otherwise it doesn't. — Robinson
– Robinson, Commented May 29, 2015 at 11:41

Brian · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-19 16:19:22Z

24

In the unit test code, you can use

Logger::WriteMessage("My message string");

and the message will appear in the Output window.

answered Nov 19, 2015 at 16:19

Brian

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2 Comments

tschumann Over a year ago

Works okay if you have #include "CppUnitTest.h" and are in the context of a TEST_METHOD in a TEST_CLASS but not just anywhere.

toujames Over a year ago

Works if you add: "using Microsoft::VisualStudio::CppUnitTestFramework::Logger" at the top

JKna · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-06 22:05:29Z

9

Brian's answer is correct. Use

Logger::WriteMessage("some text");

and run the test normally (there is no need to debug). However, you also need to select "Tests" in the "Show output from" drop-down list at the top of the Output window.

VS 2013 Output window with Tests output selected

answered May 6, 2017 at 22:05

JKna

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MikeB Over a year ago

The UI in Visual Studio 2019 remains the same: there's a "Tests" selection in the top of the "Output" window, and that's where the output will appear.

Robinson · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-29 14:37:09Z

2

The debug output shows in the debug output window if you right-click and choose `debug' on whichever test in the test explorer window. Otherwise it doesn't.

answered May 29, 2015 at 14:37

Robinson

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2 Comments

Robinson Over a year ago

Main Menu -> Test -> Windows -> Test Explorer, then right-click on one of the tests in the window to bring up its context menu and choose debug from there.

Elliot Over a year ago

This seems to be true in VS 2017, using OutputDebugString(L"Message");

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