In the world of software development, unit testing has become a widely adopted technique to validate the functionality of software modules. This form of testing is a crucial aspect of quality assurance as it enables a comprehensive evaluation of each element of the software to confirm that it’s working as expected. To ensure greater reliability of the system, it is recommended to use Python’s built-in unit testing if your software utilizes Python development modules.
This post is dedicated to educating you about the testing options available in Python and providing you with step-by-step instructions on how to configure and execute these tests effectively.
What exactly does the term “unit test” mean?
The testing phase is a critical component of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). In this phase, software components are scrutinized by dividing them into smaller units with defined inputs and outputs. Unit testing involves individually assessing a particular element of software or application, without taking into account other system components.
To ensure the correct functioning of a system, unit testing is an essential aspect. This process involves conducting individual assessments of every component or unit of the system to confirm its proper operation. Typically, the developer performs the testing to validate the optimal operation of each part and the entire system as a whole. Without unit testing, it is impossible to guarantee that the system is fully operational and functioning at its best potential.
Unit testing falls into two principal categories:
- Manual
- Automated
Below is a typical framework for the software development unit testing process:
Generating test cases involves the following steps: reviewing and editing, establishing a baseline, and executing test cases.
Importance and Methodology of Unit Testing in Software Development:
- Identifying and rectifying software errors can be expensive, but early detection and resolution of these problems through unit testing can save costs substantially.
- Unit testing enhances developer understanding of software components, enabling them to efficiently make required changes and modifications when necessary.
- Unit tests that are well-composed may serve as documentation for the codebase.
- Unit testing serves to enhance code reusability particularly when both the code and its corresponding test cases are duplicated to the development project. Following code amendments, it is necessary to re-validate all test cases to verify their continued effectiveness.
For maximum flexibility and adaptability, it is advisable to perform unit testing cases independently to allow for changes to be implemented without negative impacts on other test cases.
Unit Testing in Python
The famous Russian proverb “Trust, but verify” has implications for software development that cannot be overlooked. This implies that even though you have faith in your coding, it is essential to utilize Python Unit Tests to ensure accuracy. Unit testing is a critical step in software development because it can detect any errors that were missed during the initial coding process.
Python unit tests serve as a vital tool to discover bugs in your application and avert the possibility of unpredictable behavioural patterns in your code.
Using Python Unittest Library for Functional Testing
The ‘unittest’ module in the Python standard library offers a simplified approach for composing and running unit tests for any application. Although unit testing in Python can be complicated, the unittest framework streamlines the process for evaluating the code’s quality.
Upon concluding the development process, developers typically incorporate metrics or insights that can be valuable and beneficial in the test script to confirm the functionality of a specific unit.
Python’s unittest framework is similar to other commonly used unit testing frameworks and was influenced by the JUnit module within Java. It incorporates an array of attributes that render it highly effective for testing code and verifying proper functioning.
Another Python Unit Test
The latest unit testing framework, Unittest2, is compatible with Python versions 2.6, 2.7, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4. To switch to Unittest2 from the standard Unittest module, all that is needed is a straightforward alteration in the import statement i.e. simply substitute “import unittest” with “import unittest2”.
Add-ons to Python’s Default Unittest Framework
- Nose2, the successor to the original nose module, is comparable to unittest but includes numerous additional add-ons.
- Testify, a Python unit testing package, can be considered a feasible substitute for Nose. Developed using the unittest framework, Testify requires only minor tweaks to use it for running unittest tests.
Other Python Unit Testing Frameworks
PyTest is an advanced and extensive Python testing tool that supports developers in enhancing the quality of their code. This tool is especially beneficial for those who are new to Python testing. It offers a vast array of features that guarantee the precision and efficiency of the conducted tests. Furthermore, PyTest offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of starting testing activities.
DocTest is a Python Standard Library module that facilitates collaborative work through a command-line interface. It overs an interactive shell that enables users to efficiently interact with the command line and thus improves the teamwork experience.
Python Unit Testing: Other Python Testing Frameworks
- PluginCompat deals with running tests and verifying the compatibility of pytest plugins.
- Test-junkie, a modern and highly flexible testing framework.
- Python-based testing framework “slash”.
- LemonCheesecake is a Python-based framework created for streamlining functional testing. It boasts variable, test-fitting, hierarchical test cases and metadata, robust batch processing capabilities, and JSON, XML, HTML, and other report formats. This framework facilitates functional testing and can assist in identifying potential development issues.
Python’s unit testing framework offers numerous capabilities for automated testing, including single-function or class testing up to the testing of an entire application. It incorporates a reusable test setup and teardown process and allows for grouping tests for more straightforward management. Additionally, Python’s built-in support for unit testing allows tests to be executed without the need for external reporting infrastructure.
Python Unit Testing Involves Running Individual Tests on Python Code Chunks Using the Unittest Module
Executing PyCharm’s unittest module can be achieved swiftly by pressing ctrl+shift+F10.
Using a command prompt to launch this module in your application and conducting some testing can help to minimize bugs.
It creates a use case for software design without the need for direct communication.
Python unit testing involves creating a.py file and defining a TestClass that inherits from the unittest.TestCase class.
Having accurately defined the class and functions and confirmed the correctness of the total, we can test the unit’s effectiveness by running a successful test. To guarantee proper functioning of the unit, changing the result to a different value and observing whether any Error/Failure is generated can further ensure its effectiveness.
Python unit testing in the unittest framework yields one of three possible outcomes: Ok, Failure, or Error.
The unittest module provides support for Python unit testing of basic functions and classes.
Unit Testing with Python: Comparing pytest to unittest
Opinions among Python programmers vary, with some considering pytest as one of the most versatile testing frameworks, while others argue that unittest’s ability to test Python’s base components and generic code gives it an edge over pytest.
Python’s default unit testing framework has gained popularity among programmers. This section outlines the testing prerequisites for classes derived from the TestCase package. Its practicality is widely recognized and its value has been acknowledged by many individuals.
Although REST API and Python utilities can be tested and run with Pytest, utilizing the Pytest third-party module can be highly beneficial due to its vast range of features. Check out our REST API blog post for more information.
The unittest module is a testing framework for writing and executing unit tests, enabling tests to be organized into classes and applying unique settings to each test case. Additionally, it offers the capability to compare collections element by element and groupings based on values.
The PyTest library can be acquired using the Pip package installer, and is well-suited for efficient and cost-effective testing due to requiring less programming. It is a popular Python unit testing library, frequently used for API and backend testing. Instead of numerous test statements, a simple validation procedure is employed to enhance clarity and maintain uncluttered syntax.
Concluding Thoughts
Programming’s unit testing ensures the expected functionality of all individual “components” making up a software.
Mocking a module is a prevalent practice in Python programming to gain insight into the unit testing inputs. The module can be mocked to modify inputs and provoke code errors, guaranteeing proper code functionality.
To comprehensively comprehend the functionality of the code, two unit tests for each item listed in the Test Case Documentation – a positive and a negative test – should be provided. Utilizing Python’s unit testing facilitates access to the Test Cases by all interested parties. Additionally, providing clear documentation of the diagnosis procedure, implementation of solutions, and relevant conclusions is crucial.
