PHPUnit - Dumping variables

Update:

Note that this answer is only relevant to PHPUnit 3.6.0 through 3.6.3.

When PHPUnit 3.6.4 is released it will not allow any output by default anymore.

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Original Answer

If you want to see the swallowed output you can use phpunit --debug. This will turn all output offering and show your var_dumps.

Sample Test:

<?php

class OutputTest extends PHPUnit_Framework_TestCase {

    public function testOutput() {
        var_dump("HI!");
        $this->assertTrue(true);
    }   

}

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Running phpunit outputTest.php

PHPUnit 3.6.2 by Sebastian Bergmann.

.

Time: 0 seconds, Memory: 3.25Mb

OK (1 test, 1 assertion)

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Running phpunit --debug outputTest.php

PHPUnit 3.6.2 by Sebastian Bergmann.


Starting test 'OutputTest::testOutput'.
.string(3) "HI!"


Time: 0 seconds, Memory: 3.25Mb

OK (1 test, 1 assertion)

using ob_flush() will work as well, e.g. in your test

var_dump($foo);
ob_flush();

but note that this will also flush any output generated by PHPUnit so far as well.

No, and in fact PHPUnit 3.6 will swallow all output coming from a test (perhaps only in strict mode).

Try print_r() works for me in the terminal.