NUnitLite Vision
From our Home Page...
NUnitLite is a new lightweight testing framework for .NET, based on the ideas in NUnit and providing a subset of its features.
On this page, we spell out what that statement means - the Vision for what NUnitLite is and will become in more or less high-level terms. For specific features and an implementation plan, see our Roadmap page.
Device Development
NUnitLite brings the benefit of NUnit-like unit testing to devices. Specifically, programmers will be able to run NUnitLite tests on devices that support the .NET Compact Framework, either directly or through the NUnit user interface.
Plugins and Addins
NUnitLite also targets testing of plugins and addins, which run under the control of another applications. Such projects are hard to test using standard approaches, since the tests normally run under the control of a test runner, while the addin needs to run under the control of its host. Developers can use NUnitLite in this environment by "embedding" it in their addin, just as is done in device programming.
Lightweight Framework
NUnitLite will not suffer the weight of NUnit features like extensibility, a gui, multi-threading, use of separate AppDomains, etc. All these features have their place but they can generally be dispensed with in resource-limited situations or when the tests must run in some special environment
Platform Support
NUnitLite is cross-platform. Initially, it will support the .NET framework, .NET Compact Framework, Mono profiles 1.0 and 2.0 an the .NET Micro Framework. In general, all versions of these frameworks are supported, although some features may not be available on all frameworks.
Delivered as Source
NUnitLite is delivered as source code only, for inclusion directly in the users' test projects.
NUnit Supported
NUnit will provide Gui runner support and display test results for NUnitLite. Developers will be able to use NUnitLite standalone, through NUnit or in a hybrid mode in which NUnit simply displays the results of tests run by NUnitLite.
Open Source Software
NUnitLite is and will remain open source, allowing companies to use and extend it without restriction for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. NUnitLite is currently using the OSL license for its alpha releases. A final choice of license will be made prior to the first production release.