Hey folks, new to Kotlin in general and new to kotlintest. My test class is extending a base class w...

# announcements

[jameskleeh]

Hey folks, new to Kotlin in general and new to kotlintest. My test class is extending a base class which extends BehaviorSpec. I’d like to execute a method on that base class from within a given block. I’ve tried things like super.method(), but I keep getting unresolved reference. Any tips are appreciated

[Shawn]

can you share how, exactly, you’re trying to call the super method? super.method() should work fine normally

[jameskleeh]

Sure

[jameskleeh]

class BindingSpec: AbstractRabbitMQTest({

    val specName = javaClass.simpleName

    given("A basic producer and consumer") {

[jameskleeh]

This is defined inside AbstractRabbitMQTest

[jameskleeh]

fun startContext(): ApplicationContext {
...
    }

[jameskleeh]

right inside that given block I’d like to call that method

[jameskleeh]

abstract class AbstractRabbitMQTest(body: AbstractBehaviorSpec.() -> Unit = {}): BehaviorSpec(body) {

[Shawn]

This is an advanced hierarchy you’ve got going here lol

[Shawn]

I’m not entirely sure if this is the right answer, but a Foo.() -> Unit-typed lambda isn’t actually anything special - it’s essentially a (Foo) -> Unit but with this in play

[Shawn]

Which means that the lambda doesn’t have access to private members or the class’s super instance

[jameskleeh]

What do you suggest I try?

[Shawn]

Hmmm, it’s hard to say because I can’t test with your specific setup

[Shawn]

let me pull up a scratch file real quick

[jameskleeh]

I appreciate it

[Shawn]

Agh, I wish I had a better answer for you unfortunately. I would maybe ask if you strictly need to have this implementing class extend your abstract class

[jameskleeh]

Unfortunately yes because it contains static state that is shared across all the tests

[jameskleeh]

all the tests that extend from it anyway

[Shawn]

If you need to call the super constructor with a lambda that calls a method that internally calls a super method, you’ve got a bit of an ouroboros on your hands

[jameskleeh]

hahaha

[jameskleeh]

I’m surprised this is difficult

[Shawn]

It might not be, I might just be dumb and not seeing a simple solution here haha

[Shawn]

is there maybe a less crazy way to access the state you need? Maybe some top-level vals that are internal/package accessible? Is the parent class abstract? if not, maybe instead have a property that stores a reference to a singleton instance of said parent class or something?

[jameskleeh]

unfortunately I need to create and teardown the object inside the given block

[jameskleeh]

since it is only scoped for that test

[Shawn]

ah I think I get what you mean

[jameskleeh]

I’ve gotta run for now, but I appreciate the attempt!

[Shawn]

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help

[Shawn]

I gotta get some shuteye though haha

[Pavlo Liapota]

I have simplified your code this way:

abstract class Parent(
    body: () -> Unit
) {
    fun needToCall() { }
}

class Child : Parent {
    constructor() : super({
        super.needToCall()
    })
}

As you can see error message is Cannot access '<this>' before superclass constructor has been called. So it is not possible to do what you want.

[Pavlo Liapota]

Why would you want to call a method on an object that is not initialized yet anyway?
Can you make your method static, i.e. put it into companion object?

[jameskleeh]

@Pavlo Liapota I’m not attempting to call the method in the child constructor, but yes I probably could move it to the companion. Thanks!