[chef] Strainer vs Rake

["Stewart, Curtis" < >]

We’re currently working with a chef-repo and I’m wondering what the better solution is, using a Rake or Strainer for testing.

I’m aware that cookbook-repo’s are preferred, but we’re unable to go that route at this time.

Possible options:

• Repo-level Rakefile
• Individual Rakefiles per cookbook directory
• Both repo-level (global testing) and cookbook-level (single cookbook tests) Rakefiles
• Repo-level Strainerfile
• Individual Strainerfiles per cookbook directory

I can see advantages for each, wondering what other’s thoughts/preferences/experiences are.

Additional comments/thoughts:

• Strainer provides complete isolation by copying a cookbook to a $SANDBOX directory.
• Repo-level Rakefile would run all tests (including running specs in parallel with parallel_specs)

Thanks!

Curtis