How to stub/mock XMLBeans object for testing?

Question

I'm working with an application using Apache XMLBeans (interfaces for XML structure elements extending org.apache.xmlbeans.XmlObject, implementations for those interfaces extending org.apache.xmlbeans.impl.values.XmlComplexContentImpl)

I got following kind of functionality:

• An XML object is passed to a method with some data
• Based on this data, subcontent is generated for this XML object
  • using XML objects' addFoo() to add elements etc

Now I'd like to have a test for this functionality but I'm not sure what is the best way to have this XML object for testing (I'd like the stub/mock object to maintain the subtree state to be easily tested). Some options:

• I tried instantiating these FooImpl implementation objects but they require reference to org.apache.xmlbeans.SchemaType sType
  • Is there some way to instantiate these?
  • Giving null / mocked SchemaType ends up with NPE when something is added
• Generating a stub classes with the few needed methods would work but ends up with many (> 100) methods to generate
• Using Mockito works otherwise, but to have the xml tree structure state easily tested, I need to use doAnswer() etc

Some ideas?

br, Touko

Answer 1

Found myself that the answer was pretty easy : The xmlbeans interfaces have factory classes for instantiating the beans, for example:

Address.Factory.newInstance()

Answer 2

I know that this is not the answer you're looking but here it goes anyway:

Don't mock types you don't control

References:

• Steve Freeman and Nat Price from Growing Object Oriented Systems, Guided by Tests
• Steve Freeman blog post about this subject: http://stevef.truemesh.com/archives/000194.html
• Detailed experience from a developer: http://davesquared.net/2011/04/dont-mock-types-you-dont-own.html

A question for you: What are you trying to test? That Apache XML beans works as expected? Or are you writing an XML tool?