Refactoring C++ Code for Unit testing with Dependency Injection - Peter Muldoon - CppCon 2024

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Refactoring C++ Code for Unit testing with Dependency Injection - Peter Muldoon - CppCon 2024
Slides: https://github.com/CppCon/CppCon2024/blob/main/Presentations/Dependency_Injection_in_Cpp.pdf

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A key principle for testing code is the concept of dependency injection aka the ability to swap out functionality of key components. This feature allows not only for easier code testability but also promotes well structured code that is more extensible and flexible beyond its original use cases.

In this talk, we will explore the basic building blocks that can be used for Dependency injection like link-time substitution, dummies, Interfaces via Inheritance, templates and polymorphic function wrappers. What are their strengths and weaknesses and the problem space they best serve.

But what exactly is good dependency injection and what are good/bad strategies for employing these building blocks ?

How do you inject multiple dependencies into classes/functions without going down the road to singletons, factories and global state ? We will also show how to introduce dependency injection into older codebases that were never designed for the concept. Doing this without having to make major changes throughout a legacy codebase ?

After exploring this and other real world use cases, we suggest better ways to handle these specific situations. Finally a coherent strategy for adding DI to your applications should emerge and be added to your developer toolbox.

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Pete Muldoon has been using C++ since 1991. Pete has worked in Ireland, England and the USA and is currently employed by Bloomberg. A consultant for over 20 years prior to joining Bloomberg, Peter has worked on a broad range of projects and code bases in a large number of companies both tech and finance. Such broad exposure has, over time, shown what works and what doesn't for large scale engineering projects. He's a proponent of applied engineering principles, elegant solutions and expressive code.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as5Z45G59Ws