Replacing go_router with auto_route in Widget Tests: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you tired of wrestling with go_router in your widget tests? Do you find yourself struggling to navigate the complexities of routing in your Flutter application? Fear not, dear developer! This article is here to save the day by showcasing the wonders of auto_route and guiding you through the process of replacing go_router in your widget tests.

What is go_router and why do we need to replace it?

go_router is a popular routing package for Flutter that provides an easy-to-use API for navigating between screens in your application. However, when it comes to widget testing, go_router can become a major hurdle. Its reliance on the Flutter framework and the app’s navigator makes it challenging to set up and maintain in a testing environment.

That’s where auto_route comes in – a routing package specifically designed with testing in mind. auto_route provides a cleaner, more intuitive API and seamless integration with Flutter’s testing framework. By replacing go_router with auto_route in your widget tests, you’ll unlock a world of simplicity and efficiency.

Installing auto_route

Before we dive into the replacement process, let’s get auto_route up and running in your project. Add the following dependency to your `pubspec.yaml` file:

_dependencies:
  auto_route: ^4.0.0

Run `flutter pub get` to fetch the package, and you’re all set!

Setting up auto_route in your application

To use auto_route in your application, you’ll need to define your routes using the `@MaterialAutoRouter` annotation. Let’s create a simple example:

import 'package:auto_route/auto_route.dart';

@MaterialAutoRouter(
  generateFor: [
    IndexPage,
    DetailPage,
  ],
)
class $AppRouter {}

In this example, we’re defining two routes: `IndexPage` and `DetailPage`. The `generateFor` list specifies the pages that auto_route should generate routes for.

Replacing go_router with auto_route in widget tests

Now that we have auto_route set up in our application, let’s replace go_router in our widget tests. We’ll use a simple example to demonstrate the process.

Before: go_router implementation

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:go_router/go_router.dart';

void main() {
  testWidgets('Navigate to detail page', (tester) async {
    await tester.pumpWidget(
      MaterialApp(
        title: 'Test App',
        home: IndexPage(),
        onGenerateRoute: (settings) => MaterialPageRoute(
          builder: (context) => DetailPage(),
        ),
      ),
    );

    await tester.tap(find.byTooltip('Navigate to detail page'));
    await tester.pumpAndSettle();

    expect(find.byType(DetailPage), findsOneWidget);
  });
}

In this example, we’re using go_router’s `onGenerateRoute` callback to define a route from the `IndexPage` to the `DetailPage`.

After: auto_route implementation

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
import 'package:auto_route/auto_route.dart';
import 'package:auto_route/auto_route_test_route_info.dart';

void main() {
  TestWidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();

  group('Navigation tests', () {
    late ExtendedNavigatorState navigator;

    setUp(() {
      navigator = ExtendedNavigator.of(context);
    });

    testWidgets('Navigate to detail page', (tester) async {
      await tester.pumpWidget(
        MaterialApp(
          title: 'Test App',
          home: AutoRoutePage(
            key: key,
            child: IndexPage(),
          ),
        ),
      );

      await tester.tap(find.byTooltip('Navigate to detail page'));
      await tester.pumpAndSettle();

      expect(navigator.currentRoute, isRoute('/detail'));
    });
  });
}

In this revised implementation, we’re using auto_route’s `ExtendedNavigatorState` to create an instance of the navigator. We then use the `AutoRoutePage` widget to wrap our `IndexPage`, which enables auto_route’s routing features.

Notice how we’ve replaced the `onGenerateRoute` callback with a simple `AutoRoutePage` widget. This is where auto_route shines – no more manual route definition!

Testing navigation with auto_route

Now that we’ve replaced go_router with auto_route, let’s explore some examples of testing navigation using auto_route.

Testing route navigation

testWidgets('Navigate to detail page', (tester) async {
  await tester.pumpWidget(
    MaterialApp(
      title: 'Test App',
      home: AutoRoutePage(
        key: key,
        child: IndexPage(),
      ),
    ),
  );

  await tester.tap(find.byTooltip('Navigate to detail page'));
  await tester.pumpAndSettle();

  expect(navigator.currentRoute, isRoute('/detail'));
});

In this example, we’re testing that tapping on the “Navigate to detail page” button navigates to the `/detail` route.

Testing route parameters

testWidgets('Navigate to detail page with parameter', (tester) async {
  await tester.pumpWidget(
    MaterialApp(
      title: 'Test App',
      home: AutoRoutePage(
        key: key,
        child: IndexPage(),
      ),
    ),
  );

  await tester.tap(find.byTooltip('Navigate to detail page with parameter'));
  await tester.pumpAndSettle();

  expect(navigator.currentRoute, isRoute('/detail/:id'));
  expect(navigator.currentParams, {'id': '123'});
});

In this example, we’re testing that tapping on the “Navigate to detail page with parameter” button navigates to the `/detail/:id` route with the parameter `id` set to `123`.

Conclusion

Replacing go_router with auto_route in your widget tests is a breeze. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to take advantage of auto_route’s simplicity and efficiency. Say goodbye to the complexities of go_router and hello to streamlined widget testing!

Remember, auto_route is designed with testing in mind, making it the perfect choice for your Flutter application. So, what are you waiting for? Make the switch to auto_route today and experience the joy of effortless widget testing!

go_router	auto_route
Complex route definition	Simple, automatic route definition
Difficulty in testing	Ease of testing with auto_route_test_route_info
Manual navigator management	Automatic navigator management with ExtendedNavigatorState

Don’t let go_router hold you back any longer. Embrace the power of auto_route and take your widget testing to the next level!

Additional Resources

• auto_route package on pub.dev
• auto_route repository on GitHub
• Flutter testing documentation

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