integration-test

Integration tests use testserver, a fully functional CockroachDB server with all components in-memory and in the same process. They're SLOW to spin up (can add seconds per test case), so use them only when necessary.

Prefer sqlutils.MakeSQLRunner over raw database connections in most cases. It provides automatic error handling (fails the test on error), cleaner syntax, and helper methods for common operations.

Use sqlDB.DB when you need direct error handling rather than automatic test failure:

Guidelines for writing integration tests with CockroachDB test servers, including when to use them and how to use sqlutils. Source: cockroachdb/cockroach.