Run PHPUnit Tests in Certain Order

PHPUnit supports test dependencies via the @depends annotation.

Here is an example from the documentation where tests will be run in an order that satisfies dependencies, with each dependent test passing an argument to the next:

class StackTest extends PHPUnit_Framework_TestCase
{
    public function testEmpty()
    {
        $stack = array();
        $this->assertEmpty($stack);

        return $stack;
    }

    /**
     * @depends testEmpty
     */
    public function testPush(array $stack)
    {
        array_push($stack, 'foo');
        $this->assertEquals('foo', $stack[count($stack)-1]);
        $this->assertNotEmpty($stack);

        return $stack;
    }

    /**
     * @depends testPush
     */
    public function testPop(array $stack)
    {
        $this->assertEquals('foo', array_pop($stack));
        $this->assertEmpty($stack);
    }
}

However, it's important to note that tests with unresolved dependencies will not be executed (desirable, as this brings attention quickly to the failing test). So, it's important to pay close attention when using dependencies.

Maybe there is a design problem in your tests.

Usually each test must not depend on any other tests, so they can run in any order.

Each test needs to instantiate and destroy everything it needs to run, that would be the perfect approach, you should never share objects and states between tests.

Can you be more specific about why you need the same object for N tests?

If you want your tests to share various helper objects and settings, you can use setUp(), tearDown() to add to the sharedFixture property.

PHPUnit allows the use of '@depends' annotation which specifies dependent test cases and allows passing arguments between dependent test cases.

There really is a problem with your tests if they need to run in a certain order. Each test should be totally independent of the others: it helps you with defect localization, and allows you to get repeatable (and therefore debuggable) results.

Checkout this site for a whole load of ideas / information, about how to factor your tests in a manner where you avoid these kinds of issues.