ChefSpec is a Chef cookbook RSpec unit testing framework written by the great Seth Vargo (Opscode Chef, Hashicorp). ChefSpec helps to create a fast feedback loop, locally simulate Chef runs (solo or server) over the code, and issue a code coverage statement for every resource used. It integrates very well with Berkshelf, so cookbook dependencies are easily handled during the testing process.
We'll create unit tests for the cookbooks created in Chapter 6, Fundamentals of Managing Servers with Chef and Puppet, that covers the most common tests, such as convergence issues, packages installation, services status check, file and template creation, access rights, recipe inclusion, stubbing data bag searches, or even intercepting expected errors. These tests are so generic, we'll be able to reuse them in all our future recipes and get started on more.
