Error in unit testing in Spring MVC: context configuration file not found

Question

This is project setup

TestController.java

@Component
public class TestController {

    public String getDefaultMessage() {
        return "Some default msg";
    }
}

TestControllerTest.java

@RunWith(SpringJUnit4ClassRunner.class)
@ContextConfiguration("spring-servlet.xml")
public class TestControllerTest {

    TestController controller;

    @Test
    public void itShouldTest(){
        String msg = controller.getDefaultMessage();
        assertThat(msg, is("Some default msg"));
    }
}

Problem 1: Right location of spring-servlet.xml

If I say /WEB-INF/spring-servlet.xml, It says file not found. While when I select project properties > Deployment Assembly, I can see deployment path of /WebContent is /.

I have also tried "classpath:/WEB-INF/spring-servlet.xml", "classpath:spring-servlet.xml", and "classpath:/spring-servlet.xml"

Problem 2: If I copy spring-servlet.xml in test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers, it finds it but gives me following error on JUnit window;

java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: javax/servlet/ServletContext
    at java.lang.Class.getDeclaredMethods0(Native Method)
    at java.lang.Class.privateGetDeclaredMethods(Unknown Source)
    at java.lang.Class.getDeclaredMethods(Unknown Source)
    at org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.InitDestroyAnnotationBeanPostProcessor.buildLifecycleMetadata(InitDestroyAnnotationBeanPostProcessor.java:196)
    at org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.InitDestroyAnnotationBeanPostProcessor.findLifecycleMetadata(InitDestroyAnnotationBeanPostProcessor.java:178)
    at ...

and following on console

09:15:14,288 DEBUG SpringJUnit4ClassRunner:106 - SpringJUnit4ClassRunner constructor called with [class test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest].
09:15:14,309 DEBUG TestContext:97 - Retrieved @ContextConfiguration [@org.springframework.test.context.ContextConfiguration(classes=[], locations=[], loader=interface org.springframework.test.context.ContextLoader, value=[spring-servlet.xml], inheritLocations=true)] for class [class test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,321 DEBUG ContextLoaderUtils:130 - Processing ContextLoader for @ContextConfiguration [@org.springframework.test.context.ContextConfiguration(classes=[], locations=[], loader=interface org.springframework.test.context.ContextLoader, value=[spring-servlet.xml], inheritLocations=true)] and declaring class [class test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,322 DEBUG ContextLoaderUtils:150 - Using default ContextLoader class [org.springframework.test.context.support.DelegatingSmartContextLoader] for test class [class test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,372 DEBUG ContextLoaderUtils:196 - Retrieved @ContextConfiguration [@org.springframework.test.context.ContextConfiguration(classes=[], locations=[], loader=interface org.springframework.test.context.ContextLoader, value=[spring-servlet.xml], inheritLocations=true)] for declaring class [class test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest].
09:15:14,391 DEBUG ContextLoaderUtils:203 - Resolved context configuration attributes: [ContextConfigurationAttributes@4ca42b declaringClass = 'test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest', locations = '{spring-servlet.xml}', classes = '{}', inheritLocations = true, contextLoaderClass = 'org.springframework.test.context.ContextLoader']
09:15:14,392 DEBUG ContextLoaderUtils:305 - Processing locations and classes for context configuration attributes [[ContextConfigurationAttributes@4ca42b declaringClass = 'test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest', locations = '{spring-servlet.xml}', classes = '{}', inheritLocations = true, contextLoaderClass = 'org.springframework.test.context.ContextLoader']]
09:15:14,393 DEBUG DelegatingSmartContextLoader:75 - Delegating to GenericXmlContextLoader to process context configuration [ContextConfigurationAttributes@4ca42b declaringClass = 'test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest', locations = '{spring-servlet.xml}', classes = '{}', inheritLocations = true, contextLoaderClass = 'org.springframework.test.context.ContextLoader'].
09:15:14,404 DEBUG ContextLoaderUtils:236 - Could not find an 'annotation declaring class' for annotation type [interface org.springframework.test.context.ActiveProfiles] and class [class test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,409  INFO TestContextManager:185 - @TestExecutionListeners is not present for class [class test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]: using defaults.
09:15:14,441 DEBUG TestContextManager:137 - Registering TestExecutionListener: org.springframework.test.context.support.DependencyInjectionTestExecutionListener@b80017
09:15:14,441 DEBUG TestContextManager:137 - Registering TestExecutionListener: org.springframework.test.context.support.DirtiesContextTestExecutionListener@239525
09:15:14,442 DEBUG TestContextManager:137 - Registering TestExecutionListener: org.springframework.test.context.transaction.TransactionalTestExecutionListener@497536
09:15:14,457 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:68 - Retrieved @ProfileValueSourceConfiguration [null] for test class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,458 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:80 - Retrieved ProfileValueSource type [class org.springframework.test.annotation.SystemProfileValueSource] for class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,465 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:68 - Retrieved @ProfileValueSourceConfiguration [null] for test class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,466 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:80 - Retrieved ProfileValueSource type [class org.springframework.test.annotation.SystemProfileValueSource] for class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,474 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:68 - Retrieved @ProfileValueSourceConfiguration [null] for test class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,475 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:80 - Retrieved ProfileValueSource type [class org.springframework.test.annotation.SystemProfileValueSource] for class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,478 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:68 - Retrieved @ProfileValueSourceConfiguration [null] for test class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,478 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:80 - Retrieved ProfileValueSource type [class org.springframework.test.annotation.SystemProfileValueSource] for class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,480 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:68 - Retrieved @ProfileValueSourceConfiguration [null] for test class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,483 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:80 - Retrieved ProfileValueSource type [class org.springframework.test.annotation.SystemProfileValueSource] for class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,487 DEBUG TestContextManager:282 - beforeTestClass(): class [class test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,489 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:68 - Retrieved @ProfileValueSourceConfiguration [null] for test class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,489 DEBUG ProfileValueUtils:80 - Retrieved ProfileValueSource type [class org.springframework.test.annotation.SystemProfileValueSource] for class [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:14,494 DEBUG TestContextManager:315 - prepareTestInstance(): instance [test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest@1ab6c1c]
09:15:14,495 DEBUG DependencyInjectionTestExecutionListener:73 - Performing dependency injection for test context [[TestContext@dd7786 testClass = TestControllerTest, testInstance = test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest@1ab6c1c, testMethod = [null], testException = [null], mergedContextConfiguration = [MergedContextConfiguration@1d23e75 testClass = TestControllerTest, locations = '{classpath:/test/edu/amty/testdemo/controllers/spring-servlet.xml}', classes = '{}', activeProfiles = '{}', contextLoader = 'org.springframework.test.context.support.DelegatingSmartContextLoader']]].
09:15:14,496 DEBUG DelegatingSmartContextLoader:226 - Delegating to GenericXmlContextLoader to load context from [MergedContextConfiguration@1d23e75 testClass = TestControllerTest, locations = '{classpath:/test/edu/amty/testdemo/controllers/spring-servlet.xml}', classes = '{}', activeProfiles = '{}', contextLoader = 'org.springframework.test.context.support.DelegatingSmartContextLoader'].
09:15:14,497 DEBUG AbstractGenericContextLoader:93 - Loading ApplicationContext for merged context configuration [[MergedContextConfiguration@1d23e75 testClass = TestControllerTest, locations = '{classpath:/test/edu/amty/testdemo/controllers/spring-servlet.xml}', classes = '{}', activeProfiles = '{}', contextLoader = 'org.springframework.test.context.support.DelegatingSmartContextLoader']].
09:15:14,633 DEBUG StandardEnvironment:114 - Initializing new StandardEnvironment
09:15:14,636 DEBUG StandardEnvironment:103 - Adding [systemProperties] PropertySource with lowest search precedence
09:15:14,640 DEBUG StandardEnvironment:103 - Adding [systemEnvironment] PropertySource with lowest search precedence
09:15:14,642 DEBUG StandardEnvironment:120 - Initialized StandardEnvironment with PropertySources [systemProperties,systemEnvironment]
09:15:14,808 DEBUG StandardEnvironment:114 - Initializing new StandardEnvironment
09:15:14,809 DEBUG StandardEnvironment:103 - Adding [systemProperties] PropertySource with lowest search precedence
09:15:14,810 DEBUG StandardEnvironment:103 - Adding [systemEnvironment] PropertySource with lowest search precedence
09:15:14,811 DEBUG StandardEnvironment:120 - Initialized StandardEnvironment with PropertySources [systemProperties,systemEnvironment]
09:15:14,830  INFO XmlBeanDefinitionReader:315 - Loading XML bean definitions from class path resource [test/edu/amty/testdemo/controllers/spring-servlet.xml]
09:15:14,881 DEBUG DefaultDocumentLoader:72 - Using JAXP provider [com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.jaxp.DocumentBuilderFactoryImpl]
09:15:14,965 DEBUG PluggableSchemaResolver:105 - Trying to resolve XML entity with public id [null] and system id [http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans/spring-beans-3.0.xsd]
09:15:14,967 DEBUG PluggableSchemaResolver:140 - Loading schema mappings from [META-INF/spring.schemas]
09:15:14,976 DEBUG PluggableSchemaResolver:146 - Loaded schema mappings: {http://www.springframework.org/schema/oxm/spring-oxm-3.0.xsd=org/springframework/oxm/config/spring-oxm-3.0.xsd, ...
09:15:14,980 DEBUG PluggableSchemaResolver:118 - Found XML schema [http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans/spring-beans-3.0.xsd] in classpath: org/springframework/beans/factory/xml/spring-beans-3.0.xsd
09:15:15,094 DEBUG PluggableSchemaResolver:105 - Trying to resolve XML entity with public id [null] and system id [http://www.springframework.org/schema/context/spring-context-3.0.xsd]
09:15:15,096 DEBUG PluggableSchemaResolver:118 - Found XML schema [http://www.springframework.org/schema/context/spring-context-3.0.xsd] in classpath: org/springframework/context/config/spring-context-3.0.xsd
09:15:15,107 DEBUG PluggableSchemaResolver:105 - Trying to resolve XML entity with public id [null] and system id [http://www.springframework.org/schema/tool/spring-tool-3.0.xsd]
09:15:15,109 DEBUG PluggableSchemaResolver:118 - Found XML schema [http://www.springframework.org/schema/tool/spring-tool-3.0.xsd] in classpath: org/springframework/beans/factory/xml/spring-tool-3.0.xsd
09:15:15,134 DEBUG DefaultBeanDefinitionDocumentReader:108 - Loading bean definitions
09:15:15,173 DEBUG DefaultNamespaceHandlerResolver:156 - Loaded NamespaceHandler mappings: {http://www.springframework.org/schema/p=org.springframework.beans.factory.xml.SimplePropertyNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/mvc=org.springframework.web.servlet.config.MvcNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/util=org.springframework.beans.factory.xml.UtilNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/jee=org.springframework.ejb.config.JeeNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/aop=org.springframework.aop.config.AopNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/oxm=org.springframework.oxm.config.OxmNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/cache=org.springframework.cache.config.CacheNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/c=org.springframework.beans.factory.xml.SimpleConstructorNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/tx=org.springframework.transaction.config.TxNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/jms=org.springframework.jms.config.JmsNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/task=org.springframework.scheduling.config.TaskNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/lang=org.springframework.scripting.config.LangNamespaceHandler, http://www.springframework.org/schema/context=org.springframework.context.config.ContextNamespaceHandler}
09:15:15,226 DEBUG PathMatchingResourcePatternResolver:550 - Looking for matching resources in directory tree [I:\Running\workspaces\projectSetup\TestDemo\build\classes\main\edu\amty\testdemo]
09:15:15,227 DEBUG PathMatchingResourcePatternResolver:612 - Searching directory [I:\Running\workspaces\projectSetup\TestDemo\build\classes\main\edu\amty\testdemo] for files matching pattern [I:/Running/workspaces/projectSetup/TestDemo/build/classes/main/edu/amty/testdemo/**/*.class]
09:15:15,233 DEBUG PathMatchingResourcePatternResolver:612 - Searching directory [I:\Running\workspaces\projectSetup\TestDemo\build\classes\main\edu\amty\testdemo\controllers] for files matching pattern [I:/Running/workspaces/projectSetup/TestDemo/build/classes/main/edu/amty/testdemo/**/*.class]
09:15:15,239 DEBUG PathMatchingResourcePatternResolver:351 - Resolved location pattern [classpath*:main/edu/amty/testdemo/**/*.class] to resources [file [I:\Running\workspaces\projectSetup\TestDemo\build\classes\main\edu\amty\testdemo\controllers\TestController.class]]
09:15:15,240 DEBUG ClassPathBeanDefinitionScanner:233 - Scanning file [I:\Running\workspaces\projectSetup\TestDemo\build\classes\main\edu\amty\testdemo\controllers\TestController.class]
09:15:15,310 DEBUG ClassPathBeanDefinitionScanner:244 - Identified candidate component class: file [I:\Running\workspaces\projectSetup\TestDemo\build\classes\main\edu\amty\testdemo\controllers\TestController.class]
09:15:15,350 DEBUG XmlBeanDefinitionReader:216 - Loaded 6 bean definitions from location pattern [classpath:/test/edu/amty/testdemo/controllers/spring-servlet.xml]
09:15:15,354  INFO GenericApplicationContext:495 - Refreshing org.springframework.context.support.GenericApplicationContext@ae7b77: startup date [Thu Feb 28 09:15:15 IST 2013]; root of context hierarchy
09:15:15,355 DEBUG GenericApplicationContext:525 - Bean factory for org.springframework.context.support.GenericApplicationContext@ae7b77: org.springframework.beans.factory.support.DefaultListableBeanFactory@a4871e: defining beans [testController,org.springframework.context.annotation.internalConfigurationAnnotationProcessor,org.springframework.context.annotation.internalAutowiredAnnotationProcessor,org.springframework.context.annotation.internalRequiredAnnotationProcessor,org.springframework.context.annotation.internalCommonAnnotationProcessor,viewResolver]; root of factory hierarchy
09:15:15,386 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:217 - Creating shared instance of singleton bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalConfigurationAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,387 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:430 - Creating instance of bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalConfigurationAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,437 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:504 - Eagerly caching bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalConfigurationAnnotationProcessor' to allow for resolving potential circular references
09:15:15,440 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:458 - Finished creating instance of bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalConfigurationAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,491 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:217 - Creating shared instance of singleton bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalAutowiredAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,492 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:430 - Creating instance of bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalAutowiredAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,494 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:504 - Eagerly caching bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalAutowiredAnnotationProcessor' to allow for resolving potential circular references
09:15:15,495 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:458 - Finished creating instance of bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalAutowiredAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,495 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:217 - Creating shared instance of singleton bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalRequiredAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,496 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:430 - Creating instance of bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalRequiredAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,497 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:504 - Eagerly caching bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalRequiredAnnotationProcessor' to allow for resolving potential circular references
09:15:15,498 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:458 - Finished creating instance of bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalRequiredAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,498 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:217 - Creating shared instance of singleton bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalCommonAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,499 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:430 - Creating instance of bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalCommonAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,508 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:504 - Eagerly caching bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalCommonAnnotationProcessor' to allow for resolving potential circular references
09:15:15,509 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:458 - Finished creating instance of bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalCommonAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,510 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:217 - Creating shared instance of singleton bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.ConfigurationClassPostProcessor$ImportAwareBeanPostProcessor#0'
09:15:15,510 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:430 - Creating instance of bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.ConfigurationClassPostProcessor$ImportAwareBeanPostProcessor#0'
09:15:15,511 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:504 - Eagerly caching bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.ConfigurationClassPostProcessor$ImportAwareBeanPostProcessor#0' to allow for resolving potential circular references
09:15:15,511 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:458 - Finished creating instance of bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.ConfigurationClassPostProcessor$ImportAwareBeanPostProcessor#0'
09:15:15,517 DEBUG GenericApplicationContext:794 - Unable to locate MessageSource with name 'messageSource': using default [org.springframework.context.support.DelegatingMessageSource@c7eb9d]
09:15:15,523 DEBUG GenericApplicationContext:818 - Unable to locate ApplicationEventMulticaster with name 'applicationEventMulticaster': using default [org.springframework.context.event.SimpleApplicationEventMulticaster@1f68572]
09:15:15,525  INFO DefaultListableBeanFactory:557 - Pre-instantiating singletons in org.springframework.beans.factory.support.DefaultListableBeanFactory@a4871e: defining beans [testController,org.springframework.context.annotation.internalConfigurationAnnotationProcessor,org.springframework.context.annotation.internalAutowiredAnnotationProcessor,org.springframework.context.annotation.internalRequiredAnnotationProcessor,org.springframework.context.annotation.internalCommonAnnotationProcessor,viewResolver,org.springframework.context.annotation.ConfigurationClassPostProcessor$ImportAwareBeanPostProcessor#0]; root of factory hierarchy
09:15:15,526 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:217 - Creating shared instance of singleton bean 'testController'
09:15:15,527 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:430 - Creating instance of bean 'testController'
09:15:15,534 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:504 - Eagerly caching bean 'testController' to allow for resolving potential circular references
09:15:15,539 DEBUG CachedIntrospectionResults:222 - Getting BeanInfo for class [main.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestController]
09:15:15,550 DEBUG CachedIntrospectionResults:238 - Caching PropertyDescriptors for class [main.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestController]
09:15:15,557 DEBUG CachedIntrospectionResults:250 - Found bean property 'class' of type [java.lang.Class]
09:15:15,559 DEBUG CachedIntrospectionResults:250 - Found bean property 'defaultMessage' of type [java.lang.String]
09:15:15,568 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:458 - Finished creating instance of bean 'testController'
09:15:15,569 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:245 - Returning cached instance of singleton bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalConfigurationAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,570 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:245 - Returning cached instance of singleton bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalAutowiredAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,570 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:245 - Returning cached instance of singleton bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalRequiredAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,571 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:245 - Returning cached instance of singleton bean 'org.springframework.context.annotation.internalCommonAnnotationProcessor'
09:15:15,571 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:217 - Creating shared instance of singleton bean 'viewResolver'
09:15:15,572 DEBUG DefaultListableBeanFactory:430 - Creating instance of bean 'viewResolver'
09:15:15,590 DEBUG TestContextManager:439 - afterTestClass(): class [class test.edu.amty.testdemo.controllers.TestControllerTest]
09:15:15,591 DEBUG DirtiesContextTestExecutionListener:113 - After test class: context [[TestContext@dd7786 testClass = TestControllerTest, testInstance = [null], testMethod = [null], testException = [null], mergedContextConfiguration = [MergedContextConfiguration@1d23e75 testClass = TestControllerTest, locations = '{classpath:/test/edu/amty/testdemo/controllers/spring-servlet.xml}', classes = '{}', activeProfiles = '{}', contextLoader = 'org.springframework.test.context.support.DelegatingSmartContextLoader']]], dirtiesContext [false].

*I am manually adding dependencies not using maven or other building tools

Solution 1

I was looking properties > Deployment Assembly to check resources in class path. But it was required to set from project run/debug configuration.

Second problem was arose due to lack of dependencies included in the project. j2ee.jar was left.

Solution 2

Files under /WEB-INF are not on the classpath (as opposed to resources under /WEB-INF/classes and jars under /WEB-INF/lib), that is why you can't load spring-servlet.xml from that location.

If you want to test some beans defined there, you need to factor out that part into another config file which is on the classpath (e.g. under /resources/spring). Then you can import that from spring-servlet.xml, and refer to it from your test classes (with @ContextConfiguration). This would also solve the NoClassDefFoundError problem if you only test some Controllers, as they usually don't have a dependency on the Servlet API.