Solved: C# Dev Kit – dotnet Test Explorer – No such File

Are you tired of encountering the pesky “No such file” error while trying to run tests with the dotnet Test Explorer in your C# Dev Kit? Well, you’re in luck because we’re about to dive into the simplest and most comprehensive guide to resolving this issue. Buckle up, folks!

What’s causing the “No such file” error?

Before we get into the solution, let’s take a step back and understand what’s causing this error in the first place. When you create a new C# project in Visual Studio, the dotnet Test Explorer is configured to run tests using the test project’s output assembly. However, in some cases, the output assembly might not be generated or might be missing, leading to the “No such file” error.

The Most Common Culprits

Here are some common reasons why the output assembly might be missing:

• ?xml files not being generated
• Test project configuration issues
• Missing or incorrect test adapter
• Corrupted project files

Step-by-Step Solution

Now that we’ve identified the potential causes, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of resolving the “No such file” error. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll be running tests like a pro in no time!

Step 1: Verify Test Project Configuration

Open your test project file (.csproj) in a text editor and ensure the following settings are in place:

<PropertyGroup>
    <TargetFramework>netcoreapp3.1</TargetFramework>
    <IsPackable>false</IsPackable>
</PropertyGroup>

Make sure the TargetFramework is set to a compatible version, and IsPackable is set to false.

Step 2: Generate XML Files

In the test project file, add the following property group:

<PropertyGroup>
    <GenerateSerializationAssembly>false</GenerateSerializationAssembly>
    <GenerateDocumentationFile>true</GenerateDocumentationFile>
</PropertyGroup>

This will ensure that the necessary XML files are generated during the build process.

Step 3: Configure Test Adapter

Install the correct test adapter for your project. For example, if you’re using MSTest, install the MSTest.TestFramework NuGet package:

Install-Package MSTest.TestFramework

Similarly, if you’re using xUnit, install the xunit.core NuGet package:

Install-Package xunit.core

Step 4: Clean and Rebuild Your Project

Open the Developer Command Prompt or Terminal and navigate to your project directory. Run the following commands:

dotnet clean
dotnet build

This will clean up any existing build artifacts and rebuild your project from scratch.

Step 5: Verify Test Explorer Configuration

Open the Test Explorer in Visual Studio and ensure it’s set to use the correct test adapter:

Test Adapter	Settings
MSTest	<configuration><mstest></mstest></configuration>
xUnit	<configuration><xunit></xunit></configuration>

Make sure the test adapter is selected and configured correctly.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you’re still encountering issues, try the following:

1. Delete the bin and obj folders in your project directory and rebuild your project.
2. Check for any missing or corrupted project files, such as the .csproj file.
3. Verify that the test project is set as the startup project in Visual Studio.
4. Try resetting the Test Explorer by deleting the .vs folder in your project directory.

Conclusion

And that’s it! With these simple steps, you should be able to resolve the “No such file” error and get back to running tests with the dotnet Test Explorer in your C# Dev Kit. Remember to stay calm, be patient, and troubleshoot methodically to identify the root cause of the issue.

Happy coding, and see you in the next article!

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve got the answers to your dotnet Test Explorer woes!