Document external dependencies in the test suite

Add an explicit note to the README explaining what programs are
necessary and the perhaps-surprising behavior of skipping tests if
they aren't present.

Signed-off-by: Ethan Glasser-Camp <ethan@betacantrips.com>

diff --git a/test/README b/test/README
index bde6db0c04a4979ea29ac1451e5d0e6b80b8fb50..44ff653aa2bd5b56c73b795ee06341b7d87f7bba 100644 (file)
--- a/test/README
+++ b/test/README
@@ -6,6 +6,19 @@ When fixing bugs or enhancing notmuch, you are strongly encouraged to
 add tests in this directory to cover what you are trying to fix or
 enhance.
 
 add tests in this directory to cover what you are trying to fix or
 enhance.
 

+Prerequisites
+-------------
+Some tests require external dependencies to run. Without them, they
+will be skipped, or (rarely) marked failed. Please install these, so
+that you know if you break anything.
+
+  - dtach(1)
+  - emacs(1)
+  - emacsclient(1)
+  - gdb(1)
+  - gpg(1)
+  - python(1)
+

 Running Tests
 -------------
 The easiest way to run tests is to say "make test", (or simply run the
 Running Tests
 -------------
 The easiest way to run tests is to say "make test", (or simply run the