Which C++ Unit Test framework does not require I build my application as a library?

Question

I would like to write some test code for a C++ class. Because the class is part of an application but not a part of library I would like to know which unit test framework does not require building project as a library in order to run unit test code?

I tried the WinUnit but it seems only can test a library.

Answer 1

Any testing framework I know would allow that. It is an issue with the setting for your build environment, not the testing framework itself.

The easiest way to maintain it is to set up a library for your application code though.

I never used WinUnit, but I have used CppUnit and GoogleTest within VisualStudio projects where the code under test was not in a library, but the implementation files for the SUT were referenced (included) in the unit test project and it worked out.

Answer 2

Executables don't export symbols by default. You need to enable that with -Wl,--export-dynamic then link against the produced executable as though it was a library. This also means you need to do proper import/export on the classes you want to use etc.