Test Helpers

The Test Helpers library aims to make Arrange-Act-Assert, class-based tests easier to write. The helpers in this module make patching easier, ease Python 3 compatibility, and gently guide users towards the AAA style of testing. Additional helpers are included for situations likely to be encountered in the web-app world.

Examples

The library is designed to be simple and modular. By using mixins to extend the test cases functionality we can write more expressive tests in fewer lines of code.

Creating Patches:

>>> from test_helpers import mixins, bases
>>> class WhenFooingBar(mixins.PatchMixin, bases.BaseTest):
...
...     patch_prefix = 'module.submodule'
...
...     @classmethod
...     def configure(cls):
...         cls.foo = cls.create_patch('foo', return_value=True)
...
...     @classmethod
...     def execute(cls):
...         function_under_test()
...
...     def should_have_called_foo(cls):
...         self.foo.assert_called_once_with()

Tornado-related Extensions

The Test Helpers library includes a number of helpers specific to testing Tornado-based applications. Before you can use any of the Tornado helpers, you must either:

1. install Tornado as a dependency OR
2. include a dependency on test_helpers[tornado] in your pip requirements

Dependent Data Service Helpers

The Test Helpers library includes classes that facilitate initializing and cleaning up dependent data service resources. Provided with connection configuration to existing service instances, each class can generate name-spaced workspaces and tear down any created workspaces at the end of each test run.

Currently included:

• MongoDB
• PostgreSQL
• RabbitMQ

Supported Python Versions

The Test Helpers library is built and tested against python 2.7, 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5. You may need to grab other versions of the interpreter with your preferred package manager (MacPorts, Apt, Yum, etc)

sudo port install python27 python33

Running Tests

To run the all of the tests across the supported versions of Python via tox run the following commands in your terminal:

$ virtualenv env
$ env/bin/pip install -r dev-requirements.txt
$ env/bin/detox

Developing The Test Helpers library

Clone the repo and start hacking:

$ virtualenv env
$ env/bin/pip install -r dev-requirements.txt

Authors

Dan Tracy, John Brodie, Dave Shawley at AWeber Communications