How to test my forms in Zend Framework 1.8+?

Question

So I've set up testing in my ZF 1.9.5 application thanks to this tutorial, I am able to test my controllers, now I want to create a test for a form. However, I'm having the problem that PHPUnit can't find my form.

Fatal error: Class 'Default_Form_AccountProfile' not found

I'm extending PHPUnit_Framework_TestCase instead of Zend_Test_PHPUnit_ControllerTestCase since it is not a controller. Is that the right thing to do? Here is my test:

<?php

class AccountProfileTest extends PHPUnit_Framework_TestCase
{
    public function testPopulate()
    {
        $form = new Default_Form_AccountProfile();
        $user = array(
            'firstName' => 'Joe',
            'lastName' => 'Schmoe'
        );
        $form->populate($user);
        $this->assertEquals($form->getElement('firstName')->getValue(), 'Joe');
        $this->assertEquals($form->getElement('lastName')->getValue(), 'Schmoe');
    }
}

What am I doing wrong? What would be the correct way to test a form in Zend Framework?

Answer 1

The simplest solution to your problem is to 'require_once' the php file where your form is located at the beginning of this file (or before calling new Default_Form...).

BTW, is there a specific reason why are you testing the default behavior of the Zend_Form? Tests for Zend_Form are already written and you can get them if you download the full version of ZF. If the form you are using has it's own, specific methods, or is overwriting some of the Zend_Forms methods than it makes sense to test those.