Call t.Helper() in test helper functions to make failure stack traces point to the calling code instead of the helper.
Call t.Helper() inside a helper function to make test failures point to the calling code instead of the helper itself. This ensures the stack trace shows the actual test case that failed, not the utility function that reported it.
func check(t *testing.T, text string) {
t.Helper()
// ... validation logic ...
if err != nil {
t.Errorf("want error, got %v", err)
}
}
When a helper function reports a test failure, the error message usually points to the helper function's line number. Calling t.Helper() tells the testing framework to skip that line and point to the code that actually called the helper. It's like a GPS rerouting you to the real destination instead of the toll booth you just passed.