--- a/tests/unit.py	Thu Jun 28 14:54:29 2012 -0700
+++ b/tests/unit.py	Wed Jul 04 09:54:37 2012 -0700
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 """
 
 import configuration
+import datetime
 import os
 import sys
 import tempfile
@@ -184,5 +185,23 @@
         self.assertEqual(example.config['preferences'], default_prefs)
         os.remove(tf)
 
+    def test_typecast(self):
+        """casting example"""
+
+        def todate(string):
+            return datetime.datetime.strptime(string, "%Y%m%d")
+
+        # make an example class
+        class TypecastExample(configuration.Configuration):
+            options = {'datestring': {'type': todate}}
+        example = TypecastExample()
+
+        # parse a date string
+        example({'datestring': "20120704"})
+
+        # ensure it works correctly
+        expected = datetime.datetime(2012, 7, 4, 0, 0)
+        self.assertEqual(example.config['datestring'], expected)
+
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     unittest.main()