CsabaDu.DynamicTestData

🎯 A robust, flexible, extensible, pure .NET framework to facilitate dynamic data-driven testing.

• ⚙️ Test data conversion, management and provisioning
• ⛑️ Type-safe and thread-safe support for MSTest, NUnit, xUnit, xUnit.v3
• 🧩 Modular design, abstractions and ready-to-use integrations
• 💼 Portable data sources
• 📋 Traceable descriptive display names
• 💵 Now seeking sponsors to complete v2.0 – comprehensive testing, documentation, examples, and new features!

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📖 Documentation

This README contains the base info and the current version related notes.
Visit the Wiki for full documentation, including

• 📖 Introduction
• 🚀 Quick Start Guide
• 📐 Architecture
• 🔍 Types
• 🌍 Project Ecosystem
• 📚 Sample Codes

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📘 Table of Contents

• CsabaDu.DynamicTestData — Modular Architecture)
• Version 2.0.0-beta Foreword
• Migration Guide (Under Construction)
• Changelog
• Contributing
• License
• Contact
• FAQ
• Troubleshooting

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CsabaDu.DynamicTestData — Modular Architecture

(Version 2.0.0-beta Foreword)

Overview

CsabaDu.DynamicTestData has been reorganized from a single monolithic package into a set of focused, aligned modules (NuGet packages) while keeping a clean, consistent namespace hierarchy under CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.*. Modules are deployable package boundaries; namespaces are logical organization inside those packages. The new layout reduces transitive dependencies, clarifies responsibilities, and makes it easier for developers to adopt only what they need.

See the Segregated Architecture Diagram for a visual overview of module and namespace boundaries and dependencies:

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Modules and contents

Core Foundation Module

(package: CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.Core)

Foundation layer with essential contract surface, DTOs, stateless encoding helpers and strategy definitions.
See CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.Core README.

Lite Implementation Module

(package: CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.Lite)

Lightweight runtime helpers for manual-enumerable-style data sources - depends on Core. See CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.Lite README.

Full Implementation Module

(package: CsabaDu.DynamicTestData)

Complete runtime and convenience surface that provides all concrete implementations, builders, holders, rows, strategies, and adapters, composed on Core and Lite.

Namespaces and highlights:

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CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.DataStrategyTypes

• DataStrategy concrete implementation (flyweight pattern):

  • DataStrategy.cs

    • DataStrategy: sealed record

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CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.TestDataRows.Interfaces

• Data wrapper and converter row contracts (Composite component interfaces:

  • ITestDataRow.cs

    • ITestDataRow: interface
    • ITestDataRow<TRow>: interface
    • ITestDataRow<TRow, TTestData>: interface

  • INamedTestDataRow.cs

    • INamedTestDataRow: interface

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CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.TestDataRows

• Test data row implementations (Composite leaves):

  • TestDataRow.cs

    • TestDataRow<TRow>: abstract class
    • TestDataRow<TRow, TTestData>: abstract class

  • NamedTestDataRow.cs

    • NamedTestDataRow<TRow, TTestData>: abstract class

  • ObjectArrayRow.cs

    • ObjectArrayRow<TTestData>: class

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CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.DataRowHolders.Interfaces

• Data row holder contracts (Composite interfaces):

  • IDataRowHolder.cs

    • IDataRowHolder: interface
    • IDataRowHolder<TRow>: interface
    • IDataRowHolder<TRow, TTestData>: interface

  • INamedDataRowHolder.cs

    • INamedDataRowHolder<TRow, TTestData>: interface

• Collection contracts:

  • ITestDataRows.cs

    • ITestDataRows: interface

  • IRows.cs

    • IRows: interface

  • INamedRows.cs

    • INamedRows: interface

• Strongly typed addition contract:

  • IAddTestData.cs

    • IAddTestData<TTestData>: interface

• Component factory method contract:

  • ITestDataRowFactory.cs

    • ITestDataRowFactory<TRow, TTestData>: interface

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CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.DataRowHolders

• Data row holder implementations (Concrete composites):

  • DataRowHolder.cs

    • DataRowHolder<TRow>: abstract class
    • DataRowHolder<TRow, TTestData>: abstract class

  • NamedDataRowHolder.cs

    • NamedDataRowHolder<TRow, TTestData>: abstract class

  • ObjectArrayRowHolder.cs

    • ObjectArrayRowHolder<TTestData>: class

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CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.DynamicDataRowSources

• Managed data row sources:

  • DynamicDataSource.cs

    • DynamicDataRowSource<TDataRowHolder, TRow> : abstract class
    • DynamicDataRowSource<TRow> : abstract class

  • DynamicNamedDataSource.cs

    • DynamicNamedDataRowSource<TRow> : abstract class

  • DynamicObjectArraySource.cs

    • DynamicObjectArrayRowSource : abstract class

  • DynamicExpectedObjectArraySource.cs

    • DynamicExpectedObjectArrayRowSource : abstract class

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When to use:

• Holder-backed GetRows() semantics
• Named-row support for display names and deduplication
• Deterministic ordering and test case management
• Ready-made framework adapters for xUnit, NUnit, MSTest

Dependencies: CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.Lite (>= 2.1.0-beta)

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Version 2.0.0-beta Foreword

The CsabaDu.DynamicTestData framework has undergone a major transformation in version 2.0.0-beta, introducing a wide range of enhancements while preserving its original foundation.

The core components from the 1.x.x series — particularly the TestDataTypes.* namespaces and the DynamicDataSource class — remain central to the framework. However, even these familiar types have received small but breaking changes to align with the new architecture.

This release introduces powerful new capabilities:

• Test data conversion to any type of test data row
• Data row management for structured and reusable test inputs
• Flexible data provisioning to test methods across frameworks

These features make the framework easier to use, more adaptable to diverse testing needs, and better suited for integration with MSTest, NUnit, xUnit, and beyond. The newly introduced interfaces and abstract classes are designed for extensibility, allowing developers to support custom types and framework-specific features while staying aligned with the CsabaDu.DynamicTestData ecosystem.

The architecture is clean, the codebase is modular, and many features have been partially tested. The documentation provides detailed insights into the design, types, and usage patterns. However, this version is still considered beta due to:

• Incomplete test coverage
• Missing documentation sections (e.g., migration guide from v1.x.x)

Final Notes

This version is beta, meaning:

• Features are stable but may change
• Some features are only partially tested
• Documentation is detailed, but incomplete
• Feedback and support is highly appreciated

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Migration Guide (Under Construction)

Migration from v2.0.x-beta to v2.1.0-beta

If you're upgrading from version 2.0.x-beta to 2.1.0-beta, please note the following breaking changes:

• All data source base classes with name end ...RowSource (e.g., DynamicDataRowSource<TRow>, DynamicObjectArrayRowSource, etc.) have been moved from the DynamicDataSources namespace to the new DynamicDataRowSources namespace. Once you have inherited from any of these classes in your data source implementations, you need to update the using directives accordingly.

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Migration from v1.x.x to v2.0.0-beta

If you're upgrading from an earlier version of CsabaDu.DynamicTestData, please note:

⚠️ Compatibility is broken, even though the structure of your data source methods may remain similar to current requirements.

What May Stay the Same

• The structure of your data source methods (e.g. method body, return types) may still align with the new framework.
• However, due to namespace, naming, and parameter changes, existing implementations will not work without updates.

Required Changes

To ensure compatibility with the latest version (incomplete list):

• Namespace updates
  • ArgsCode moved from DynamicDataSources → Statics
• Renamed members
  • TestData.TestCase → TestData.TestCaseName
  • TestDataToArgs(...) → TestDataToParams(...)
• Signature changes
  • DynamicDataSource constructor now requires two parameters: ArgsCode argsCode, PropsCode propsCode
  • parameter where bool? withExpected was used → replace with PropsCode propsCode

What to Do

• Update your test classes and data source references accordingly.
• Review the Changelog for a complete list of changes.
• Explore the Types section for detailed feature descriptions.

A full migration guide is on the way.
In the meantime, feel free to reach out or open an issue if you need help.

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Changelog

Version 2.0.0-beta (2025-10-29)

This is a beta release introducing breaking changes, new features, and architectural enhancements to the CsabaDu.DynamicTestData library. These updates improve usability, flexibility, and extensibility across supported test frameworks.

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Removed

• Namespaces moved with full contents to CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.Core package:

  • Statics
  • TestDataTypes.Interfaces
  • TestDataTypes

• Namespaces moved with full contents to CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.Lite package:

  • DataStrategyTypes.Interfaces

• Namespaces moved with partial contents to CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.Lite package:

  • DynamicDataSources

    • DynamicDataSources.cs
    • DynamicObjectArraySource.cs
    • DynamicExpectedObjectArraySource.cs

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Added

• New package dependency :

  • CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.Lite (including CsabaDu.DynamicTestData.Core as transitive dependency)

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Changed

• Classes muved from DynamicDataSources namespace to new DynamicDataRowSources namespace:

  • DynamicDataRowSource<TDataRowHolder, TRow>
  • DynamicDataRowSource<TRow>
  • DynamicNamedDataRowSource<TRow>
  • DynamicObjectArrayRowSource
  • DynamicExpectedObjectArrayRowSource

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Version 2.0.0-beta (2025-08-12)

This is a beta release introducing breaking changes, new features, and architectural enhancements to the CsabaDu.DynamicTestData library. These updates improve usability, flexibility, and extensibility across supported test frameworks.

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Changed

This section summarizes changes to existing types introduced in this release. For details of the updated members and their current definitions, see the Types section.

• Statics

Type	Modified Member	Change	Current Member
Extensions	static PropsCode Defined(this PropsCode, string)	New	Extensions.Defined(...)
	static InvalidEnumArgumentException GetInvalidEnumArgumentException(this PropsCode, string)	New	Extensions.GetInvalidEnumArgumentException(...)

• TestDataTypes.Interfaces

Type	Modified Member	Change	Current Member
ITestCaseName	string TestCase { get; }	Shifted to ITestData<TResult> and renamed	ITestData<TResult>.TestCaseName
	string GetTestCaseName()	New member	ITestCaseName.GetTestCaseName()
ITestData	string ExitMode { get; }, string Result { get; }, object?[] PropertiesToArgs(bool)	Cancelled	-
	object?[] ToParams(ArgsCode, bool)	Signature changed: bool → PropsCode	ToParams(ArgsCode, PropsCode)

• TestDataTypes

Type	Modified Member	Change	Current Member
TestData	string TestCase { get; }	Renamed to TestCaseName	TestData.TestCaseName
	ExitMode, Result, PropertiesToArgs(bool)	Cancelled	-
	ToParams(ArgsCode, bool)	Signature changed: bool → PropsCode	ToParams(ArgsCode, PropsCode)

• DynamicDataSources

Type	Modified Member	Change	Current Member
ArgsCode	-	Shifted to namespace Statics	Statics.ArgsCode
DynamicDataSource	ArgsCode, PropsCode	Refactored and exposed via IDataStrategy	IDataStrategy.ArgsCode, PropsCode
	DynamicDataSource(ArgsCode) (constructor)	Signature changed (PropsCode added)	DynamicDataSource(ArgsCode, PropsCode
	GetDisplayName(...), TestDataToParams(...)	Shifted to TestDataFactory, signature changed	TestDataFactory.GetDisplayName(...), TestDataToParams(...)
	OptionalToArgs(...), WithOptionalArgsCode(...)	Cancelled / Refactored	- / WithOptionalArgsCode<T>(...)
	TestDataToArgs<T...>, TestDataReturnsToArgs<T...>, TestDataThrowsToArgs<T...>	Renamed, made protected, non-static	TestDataToParams<T...>, TestDataReturnsToParam<T...>, TestDataThrowsToParam<T...>

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Added

This section lists newly introduced namespaces and types. For full details, see the Types section.

New Types

• Statics

  • enum PropsCode

• TestDataTypes

  • static TestDataFactory

• DynamicDataSources

  Base classes

  • DynamicDataSource<TDataHolder>
  • DynamicDataRowSource<TDataRowHolder, TRow>
  • DynamicDataRowSource<TRow>

  Specialized base classes

  • DynamicObjectArraySource
  • DynamicObjectArrayRowSource
  • DynamicExpectedObjectArrayRowSource
  • DynamicNamedDataRowSource<TRow>

- New namespaces -

• DataStrategyTypes.Interfaces

  • IDataStrategy

• DataStrategyTypes

  • sealed record DataStrategy

• TestDataRows.Interfaces

  • ITestDataRow, ITestDataRow<TRow>, ITestDataRow<TRow, TTestData>
  • INamedTestDataRow<TRow>

• TestDataRows

  Base classes

  • TestDataRow<TRow>
  • TestDataRow<TRow, TTestData>

  Concrete implementation

  • ObjectArrayRow<TTestData>

• DataRowHolders.Interfaces

  • IDataRowHolder, IDataRowHolder<TRow>, IDataRowHolder<TRow, TTestData>
  • ITestDataRowFactory<TRow, TTestData>
  • IAddTestData<TTestData>
  • ITestDataRows
  • IRows<TRow>, INamedRows<TRow>
  • INamedDataRowHolder<TRow>

• DataRowHolders

  Base classes

  • DataRowHolder<TRow>
  • DataRowHolder<TRow, TTestData>

  Specialized base class

  • NamedDataRowHolder<TRow, TTestData>

  Concrete implementation

  • ObjectArrayRowHolder<TTestData>

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Version 2.0.6-beta (2025-08-26)

• Removed:
  • DataRowHolder<TRow>: Constructors removed:
    • private protected DataRowHolder(ITestData, IDataStrategy)
    • private protected DataRowHolder(IDataRowHolder, IDataStrategy)
• Changed:
  • DataRowHolder<TRow>: Constructor DataRowHolder(IDataStrategy) made primary consructor.
  • DataRowHolder<TRow, TTestData>: constructors inherit from DataRowHolder<TRow> primary constructor.
• Note:
  • This update may break backward-compatibility with previous versions (low probability).

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Version 2.0.7-beta (2025-09-02)

• Removed:
  • DynamicDataSource<TDataHolder>: Methods removed (shifted to DynamicDataRowSource<TDataRowHolder>):
    • protected void Add<T1, T2, ..., T9>(string, string expected, T1?, T2?, ..., T9?),
    • protected void AddReturns<TStruct, T1, T2, ..., T9>(string, string expected, T1?, T2?, ..., T9?),
    • protected void AddThrows<TException, T1, T2, ..., T9>(string, string expected, T1?, T2?, ..., T9?),
    • protected abstract void Add<TTestData>(TTestData),
    • protected abstract void InitDataHolder<TTestData>(TTestData).
• Added:
  • DynamicDataRowSource<TDataRowHolder>: Methods added (shifted from DynamicDataSource<TDataHolder>):
    • protected void Add<T1, T2, ..., T9>(string, string expected, T1?, T2?, ..., T9?),
    • protected void AddReturns<TStruct, T1, T2, ..., T9>(string, string expected, T1?, T2?, ..., T9?),
    • protected void AddThrows<TException, T1, T2, ..., T9>(string, string expected, T1?, T2?, ..., T9?),
    • protected abstract void InitDataHolder<TTestData>(TTestData).
• Changed:
  • DynamicDataRowSource<TDataRowHolder>: :
    • protected override void Add<TTestData>(TTestData) made virtual.
• Note:
  • This update may break backward-compatibility with previous versions (low probability).

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Version 2.0.8-beta (2025-09-04)

• Added:
  • DynamicDataSource<TDataHolder>:
    • protected abstract void Add<TTestData>(TTestData)
• Changed:
  • DynamicDataRowSource<TDataRowHolder>:
    • protected abstract void Add<TTestData>(TTestData) made virtual.
• Note:
  • This update may break backward-compatibility with previous versions (low probability).

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Version 2.0.9-beta (2025-09-18)

• Added:
  • DynamicDataSources.DynamicExpectedObjectArraySource(ArgsCode argsCode) : DynamicObjectArraySource(argsCode, PropsCode.Expected) abstract class added to simplify creating data sources without testcase name when using ArgsCode.Properies.

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Version 2.0.10-beta (2025-09-20)

• Added:
  • TestDataRows.NamedTestDataRow<TRow, TTestData> abstract class added.

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Version 1.6.0 (2025-05-22)

• Added:
  • ITestCase : IEquatable<ITestCase> added to segregate the string TestCase property of the inherited ITestData interface, and to make the equality of two ITestCase instances comparable, based on their TestCase property.
  • static object?[] TestDataToParams([NotNull] ITestData testData, ArgsCode argsCode, bool withExpected, out string testCaseName) method added to the DynamicDataSource class to null-check the ITestData testData parameter and get the value of its string TestCase property as out-parameter.
• Updated:
  • README.md updated with the new features and other corrections.
• Note:
  • This update is backward-compatible with previous versions.

Version 1.6.1 (2025-05-23)

• Changed:
  • Static TestData.PropertiesToArgs(TestData?, bool) refactored.
• Updated:
  • README.md updates and corrections.

Version v1.6.2 (2025-05-30)

• Changed
  • Former ITestCase interface renamed to ITestCaseName to avoid interference with interfaces of other frameworks having ITestCase named interface.
• Updated
  • README.md updated.
• Note
  • If you used ITestCase interface in your code yet, you should update these names for compatibility purposes.

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Version 1.5.0 (2025-05.17)

• Added:
  • object?[] ToParams(ArgsCode argsCode, bool withExpected) method added to the ITestData interface to simpplify converting the TestData instance to a test framework defined test data type.
  • New IExpected interface with object GetExpected() method, which is inherited by ITestDataReturns and ITestDataThrows interfaces to enhance extensibility with accessing the Expected property value of the derived generic TestDataReturns<> or TestDataThrows<> instances from the non-generic marker interface type.
• Updated:
  • README.md updated with the new features.
• Note:
  • This update is backward-compatible with previous versions.

Version 1.5.1 (2025-05-17)

• Updated:
  • README.md corrections.

Version 1.5.2 (2025-05-19)

• Added:
  • Parameter checking of DynamicDataSource.GetDisplayName(string testMethodName, object?[] args) extended to parameter args.
• Updated:
  • README.md update and corrections.

Version 1.5.3 (2025-05-19)

• Updated:
  • DynamicDataSource.GetDisplayName(string testMethodName, object?[] args) method simplified.
  • README.md update and corrections.

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Version 1.4.0 (2025-05.16)

• Added:
  • PropertiesToArgs method added to the ITestData interface to generate an object array with the test parameters only.
• Updated:
  • README.md updated with the new feature.
  • README.md corrected the meaning of the behavior of struct constraint for the TStruct type parameter of ITestDataReturns<TStruct> instances.
• Note:
  • This update is backward-compatible with previous versions.

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Version 1.3.0 (2025-05-06)

• Added:
  • ITestDataReturns and ITestDataThrows base marker interfaces.
• Updated:
  • README.md updated and AbstractDynamicDataSource Class section corrected.
• Note:
  • This update is backward-compatible with previous versions.

Version 1.3.1 (2025-05-08)

• Changed:
  • TestData refactored.
• Updated:
  • README.md corrections and visual refactorings.

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Version 1.2.0 (2025-03-28)

• Added:
  • protected static generic WithOptionalArgsCode<> methods to the DynamicDataSource class to support the extension of using the optional ArgsCode? parameter in the derived data source classes.
• Changed:
  • OptionalToArgs method to call a WithOptionalArgsCode<> method.
  • protected DynamicDataSource.tempArgsCode back to private DynamicDataSource._tempArgsCode.
• Updated:
  • README.md and fixed navigation anchors with simplification.
• Note: This update is backward-compatible with previous versions.

Version 1.2.1 (2025-04-02)

• Added:
  • Internal test helper const string.
• Updated:
  • README.md descriptoon of WithOptionalArgsCode<> methods in the How it Works section.
  • Small README.md corrections and visual refactorings.

Version 1.2.2 (2025-04-10)

• Changed:
  • TestData refactored: ExitMode and Result properties are initialized in the constructor signature.
  • TestDataReturns and TestDataThrows follow this change.

Version 1.2.3 (2025-04-10)

• Updated:
  • README.md AbstractDynamicDataSource Class section corrected.

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Version 1.1.0 (2025-03-27)

• Added:
  • OptionalToArgs method added to the DynamicDataSource class.
  • DisposableMemento private class added to the DynamicDataSource class.
  • ArgsCode property behavior of the DynamicDataSource class changed.
• Note: This update is backward-compatible with previous versions.

Version 1.1.1 (2025-03-27)

• Changed:
  • private DynamicDataSource._tempArgsCode to protected DynamicDataSource.tempArgsCode, to allow for easier extension of the DynamicDataSource class.
• Updated:
  • README.md and fixed navigation anchors.

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Version 1.0.0 (2025-02-09)

• Initial release of the CsabaDu.DynamicTestData framework.
• Includes the ITestData generic interface types, TestData record types, DynamicDataSource base class, and ArgsCode enum.
• Provides support for dynamic data-driven tests with multiple arguments, expected not null `ValueType' results, and exceptions.

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the License file for details.

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Contact

For any questions or inquiries, please contact CsabaDu.

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FAQ

• Can I install IXunitSerializable or IXunitSerializer (xUnit.v3) interfaces to support using TestData types in xUnit tests? No, you cannot install these interfaces because TestData types are open-generic ones, and don't have parameterless constructors. Although, you can generate object array of xUnit-serializable parameters to use them in TheoryData type data sources. Besides, if your tests don't have to comply with xUnit-serializability, you can use TestData types in xUnit tests well.

• Can I use the earlier implemented data source and test classes with version 1.1.0 ? Yes, you can seamlessly use the already installed classes with the upgraded v1.1.0 of CsabaDu.DynamicTestData without the need of any change in your code. Besides, you can easily modify those to enjoy the benefits of the flexibility of this version.

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Troubleshooting