How to reuse test code from open source project

Question

I'm writing a unit test for a custom subclass of org.springframework.http.converter.xml.AbstractXmlHttpMessageConverter<T> and I need a stub implementation of org.springframework.http.HttpInputMessage. Looking through the Spring unit tests in the SVN repository, I found the class MockHttpInputMessage, which does exactly what I want.

Now, I wonder what is the proper way to reuse this class?

Or is it generally a bad idea, because the class is not meant to be used outside of the Spring unit tests?

Answer 1

I would simply copy it to my own repository, and use it to my hearts content. You want it under your own control so that you are not adversely affected by future changes.

Answer 2

I'm not involved in the Spring project, but from the names I would assume that the class is not intended for reuse. Therefore, I would simply take the class in source form and add it to your project test sources.

Of course all this assumes, this is acceptable with respect to licenses.