Compare two similar objects in C# tests

Question

Is there an existing assert to assert 2 similar objects?

I tried using Assert.Equal but it doesn't work correctly on objects.

What do you mean by "similar" objects? And do your classes implement `Equals()`/`HashCode()`? — Progman, May 22 '21 at 21:10
@Progman I mean same classes. Compare person1 to person2. No, I don't implemented these methods. — , May 22 '21 at 21:11

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered May 22 '21 at 21:09

public static bool IsEqual(this object obj, object another)
{
  if (ReferenceEquals(obj, another)) return true;
  if ((obj == null) || (another == null)) return false;
  if (obj.GetType() != another.GetType()) return false;

  var objJson = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(obj);
  var anotherJson = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(another);

  return objJson == anotherJson;
}

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered May 22 '21 at 21:02

You can compare the fields of the objects for example:

Customer actual = new Customer { Id = 1, Name = "John" };
Customer expected = new Customer { Id = 1, Name = "John" };

Assert.Equal(expected, actual); // The test will fail here

you can compare doing that:

Assert.Equal(expected.Id, actual.Id);
Assert.Equal(expected.Name, actual.Name);

Compare two similar objects in C# tests

2 Answers2