test_ok1/doc/test/funcargs.txt

544 lines
18 KiB
Plaintext

==========================================================
**funcargs**: test function arguments FTW
==========================================================
Since version 1.0 py.test features the "funcarg" mechanism which
allows a test function to take arguments independently provided
by factory functions. Factory functions allow to encapsulate
all setup and fixture glue code into nicely separated objects
and provide a natural way for writing python test functions.
Compared to `xUnit style`_ the new mechanism is meant to:
* make test functions easier to write and to read
* isolate test fixture creation to a single place
* bring new flexibility and power to test state management
* naturally extend towards parametrizing test functions
with multiple argument sets
(superseding `old-style generative tests`_)
* enable creation of zero-boilerplate test helper objects that
interact with the execution of a test function, see the
`blog post about the monkeypatch funcarg`_.
If you find issues or have further suggestions for improving
the mechanism you are welcome to checkout `contact possibilities`_ page.
.. _`contact possibilities`: ../contact.html
.. _`blog post about the monkeypatch funcarg`: http://tetamap.wordpress.com/2009/03/03/monkeypatching-in-unit-tests-done-right/
.. _`xUnit style`: xunit_setup.html
.. _`old-style generative tests`: features.html#generative-tests
.. _`funcarg factory`:
funcarg factories: setting up test function arguments
==============================================================
Test functions can specify one ore more arguments ("funcargs")
and a test module or plugin can define functions that provide
the function argument. Let's look at a simple self-contained
example that you can put into a test module:
.. sourcecode:: python
# ./test_simplefactory.py
def pytest_funcarg__myfuncarg(request):
return 42
def test_function(myfuncarg):
assert myfuncarg == 17
If you run this with ``py.test test_simplefactory.py`` you see something like this:
.. sourcecode:: python
============================ test session starts ============================
python: platform linux2 -- Python 2.6.2
test object 1: /home/hpk/hg/py/trunk/example/funcarg/test_simplefactory.py
test_simplefactory.py F
================================= FAILURES ==================================
_______________________________ test_function _______________________________
myfuncarg = 42
def test_function(myfuncarg):
> assert myfuncarg == 17
E assert 42 == 17
test_simplefactory.py:6: AssertionError
========================= 1 failed in 0.11 seconds ==========================
This means that the test function got executed and the assertion failed.
Here is how py.test comes to execute this test function:
1. py.test discovers the ``test_function`` because of the ``test_`` prefix.
The test function needs a function argument named ``myfuncarg``.
A matching factory function is discovered by looking for the special
name ``pytest_funcarg__myfuncarg``.
2. ``pytest_funcarg__myfuncarg(request)`` is called and
returns the value for ``myfuncarg``.
3. ``test_function(42)`` call is executed.
Note that if you misspell a function argument or want
to use one that isn't available, an error with a list of
available function argument is provided.
For more interesting factory functions that make good use of the
`request object`_ please see the `application setup tutorial example`_.
.. _`request object`:
funcarg factory request objects
------------------------------------------
Request objects are passed to funcarg factories and allow
to access test configuration, test context and `useful caching
and finalization helpers`_. Here is a list of attributes:
``request.function``: python function object requesting the argument
``request.cls``: class object where the test function is defined in or None.
``request.module``: module object where the test function is defined in.
``request.config``: access to command line opts and general config
``request.param``: if exists was passed by a `parametrizing test generator`_
.. _`useful caching and finalization helpers`:
registering funcarg related finalizers/cleanup
----------------------------------------------------
.. sourcecode:: python
def addfinalizer(func):
""" call a finalizer function when test function finishes. """
Calling ``request.addfinalizer()`` is useful for scheduling teardown
functions. Here is an example for providing a ``myfile``
object that is to be closed when the execution of a
test function finishes.
.. sourcecode:: python
def pytest_funcarg__myfile(self, request):
# ... create and open a unique per-function "myfile" object ...
request.addfinalizer(lambda: myfile.close())
return myfile
managing fixtures across test modules and test runs
----------------------------------------------------------
.. sourcecode:: python
def cached_setup(setup, teardown=None, scope="module", extrakey=None):
""" cache and return result of calling setup().
The scope and the ``extrakey`` determine the cache key.
The scope also determines when teardown(result)
will be called. valid scopes are:
scope == 'function': when the single test function run finishes.
scope == 'module': when tests in a different module are run
scope == 'session': when tests of the session have run.
"""
Calling ``request.cached_setup()`` helps you to manage fixture
objects across several scopes. For example, for creating a Database object
that is to be setup only once during a test session you can use the helper
like this:
.. sourcecode:: python
def pytest_funcarg__database(request):
return request.cached_setup(
setup=lambda: Database("..."),
teardown=lambda val: val.close(),
scope="session"
)
requesting values of other funcargs
---------------------------------------------
.. sourcecode:: python
def getfuncargvalue(name):
""" Lookup and call function argument factory for the given name.
Each function argument is only created once per function setup.
"""
``request.getfuncargvalue(name)`` calls another funcarg factory function.
You can use this function if you want to `decorate a funcarg`_, i.e.
you want to provide the "normal" value but add something
extra. If a factory cannot be found a ``request.Error``
exception will be raised.
.. _`test generators`:
.. _`parametrizing test generator`:
generating parametrized tests with funcargs
===========================================================
You can parametrize multiple runs of the same test
function by adding new test function calls with different
function argument values. Let's look at a simple self-contained
example:
.. sourcecode:: python
# ./test_example.py
def pytest_generate_tests(metafunc):
if "numiter" in metafunc.funcargnames:
for i in range(10):
metafunc.addcall(funcargs=dict(numiter=i))
def test_func(numiter):
assert numiter < 9
If you run this with ``py.test test_example.py`` you'll get:
.. sourcecode:: python
================================= test session starts =================================
python: platform linux2 -- Python 2.6.2
test object 1: /home/hpk/hg/py/trunk/test_example.py
test_example.py .........F
====================================== FAILURES =======================================
_______________________________ test_func.test_func[9] ________________________________
numiter = 9
def test_func(numiter):
> assert numiter < 9
E assert 9 < 9
/home/hpk/hg/py/trunk/test_example.py:10: AssertionError
Here is what happens in detail:
1. ``pytest_generate_tests(metafunc)`` hook is called once for each test
function. It adds ten new function calls with explicit function arguments.
2. **execute tests**: ``test_func(numiter)`` is called ten times with
ten different arguments.
.. _`metafunc object`:
test generators and metafunc objects
-------------------------------------------
metafunc objects are passed to the ``pytest_generate_tests`` hook.
They help to inspect a testfunction and to generate tests
according to test configuration or values specified
in the class or module where a test function is defined:
``metafunc.funcargnames``: set of required function arguments for given function
``metafunc.function``: underlying python test function
``metafunc.cls``: class object where the test function is defined in or None.
``metafunc.module``: the module object where the test function is defined in.
``metafunc.config``: access to command line opts and general config
the ``metafunc.addcall()`` method
-----------------------------------------------
.. sourcecode:: python
def addcall(funcargs={}, id=None, param=None):
""" trigger a new test function call. """
``funcargs`` can be a dictionary of argument names
mapped to values - providing it is called *direct parametrization*.
If you provide an `id`` it will be used for reporting
and identification purposes. If you don't supply an `id`
the stringified counter of the list of added calls will be used.
``id`` values needs to be unique between all
invocations for a given test function.
``param`` if specified will be seen by any
`funcarg factory`_ as a ``request.param`` attribute.
Setting it is called *indirect parametrization*.
Indirect parametrization is preferable if test values are
expensive to setup or can only be created in certain environments.
Test generators and thus ``addcall()`` invocations are performed
during test collection which is separate from the actual test
setup and test run phase. With distributed testing collection
and test setup/run happens in different process.
.. _`tutorial examples`:
Funcarg Tutorial Examples
=======================================
.. _`application setup tutorial example`:
application specific test setup
---------------------------------------------------------
Here is a basic useful step-wise example for handling application
specific test setup. The goal is to have one place where we have the
glue and test support code for bootstrapping and configuring application objects and allow
test modules and test functions to stay ignorant of involved details.
step 1: use and implement a test/app-specific "mysetup"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Let's write a simple test function living in a test file
``test_sample.py`` that uses a ``mysetup`` funcarg for accessing test
specific setup.
.. sourcecode:: python
# ./test_sample.py
def test_answer(mysetup):
app = mysetup.myapp()
answer = app.question()
assert answer == 42
To run this test py.test needs to find and call a factory to
obtain the required ``mysetup`` function argument. The test
function interacts with the provided application specific setup.
To provide the ``mysetup`` function argument we write down
a factory method in a `local plugin`_ by putting the
following code into a local ``conftest.py``:
.. sourcecode:: python
# ./conftest.py
from myapp import MyApp
def pytest_funcarg__mysetup(request):
return MySetup()
class MySetup:
def myapp(self):
return MyApp()
To run the example we represent our application by putting a pseudo MyApp object into ``myapp.py``:
.. sourcecode:: python
# ./myapp.py
class MyApp:
def question(self):
return 6 * 9
You can now run the test with ``py.test test_sample.py`` which will
show this failure:
.. sourcecode:: python
========================= test session starts =========================
python: platform linux2 -- Python 2.6.2
test object 1: /home/hpk/hg/py/trunk/example/funcarg/mysetup
test_sample.py F
============================== FAILURES ===============================
_____________________________ test_answer _____________________________
mysetup = <mysetup.conftest.MySetup instance at 0xa020eac>
def test_answer(mysetup):
app = mysetup.myapp()
answer = app.question()
> assert answer == 42
E assert 54 == 42
test_sample.py:5: AssertionError
====================== 1 failed in 0.11 seconds =======================
This means that our ``mysetup`` object was successfully instantiated,
we asked it to provide an application instance and checking
its ``question`` method resulted in the wrong answer. If you are
confused as to what the concrete question or answers actually mean,
please see here_ :) Otherwise proceed to step 2.
.. _here: http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/The_Hitchhiker's_Guide_to_the_Galaxy
.. _`local plugin`: extend.html#local-plugin
step 2: adding a command line option
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you provide a "funcarg" from a plugin you can easily make methods
depend on command line options or environment settings.
To add a command line option we update the conftest.py of
the previous example to add a command line option
and to offer a new mysetup method:
.. sourcecode:: python
# ./conftest.py
import py
from myapp import MyApp
def pytest_funcarg__mysetup(request):
return MySetup(request)
def pytest_addoption(parser):
parser.addoption("--ssh", action="store", default=None,
help="specify ssh host to run tests with")
class MySetup:
def __init__(self, request):
self.config = request.config
def myapp(self):
return MyApp()
def getsshconnection(self):
host = self.config.option.ssh
if host is None:
py.test.skip("specify ssh host with --ssh")
return py.execnet.SshGateway(host)
Now any test function can use the ``mysetup.getsshconnection()`` method like this:
.. sourcecode:: python
# ./test_ssh.py
class TestClass:
def test_function(self, mysetup):
conn = mysetup.getsshconnection()
# work with conn
Running ``py.test test_ssh.py`` without specifying a command line option will result in a skipped test_function:
.. sourcecode:: python
========================= test session starts =========================
python: platform linux2 -- Python 2.6.2
test object 1: test_ssh.py
test_ssh.py s
________________________ skipped test summary _________________________
conftest.py:23: [1] Skipped: 'specify ssh host with --ssh'
====================== 1 skipped in 0.11 seconds ======================
Note especially how the test function could stay clear knowing about how to construct test state values or when to skip and with what message. The test function can concentrate on actual test code and test state factories can interact with execution of tests.
If you specify a command line option like ``py.test --ssh=python.org`` the test will get un-skipped and actually execute.
.. _`accept example`:
example: specifying and selecting acceptance tests
--------------------------------------------------------------
.. sourcecode:: python
# ./conftest.py
def pytest_option(parser):
group = parser.getgroup("myproject")
group.addoption("-A", dest="acceptance", action="store_true",
help="run (slow) acceptance tests")
def pytest_funcarg__accept(request):
return AcceptFuncarg(request)
class AcceptFuncarg:
def __init__(self, request):
if not request.config.option.acceptance:
py.test.skip("specify -A to run acceptance tests")
self.tmpdir = request.config.mktemp(request.function.__name__, numbered=True)
def run(self, cmd):
""" called by test code to execute an acceptance test. """
self.tmpdir.chdir()
return py.process.cmdexec(cmd)
and the actual test function example:
.. sourcecode:: python
def test_some_acceptance_aspect(accept):
accept.tmpdir.mkdir("somesub")
result = accept.run("ls -la")
assert "somesub" in result
If you run this test without specifying a command line option
the test will get skipped with an appropriate message. Otherwise
you can start to add convenience and test support methods
to your AcceptFuncarg and drive running of tools or
applications and provide ways to do assertions about
the output.
.. _`decorate a funcarg`:
example: decorating a funcarg in a test module
--------------------------------------------------------------
For larger scale setups it's sometimes useful to decorare
a funcarg just for a particular test module. We can
extend the `accept example`_ by putting this in our test class:
.. sourcecode:: python
def pytest_funcarg__accept(self, request):
arg = request.getfuncargvalue("accept") # call the next factory
# create a special layout in our tempdir
arg.tmpdir.mkdir("special")
return arg
class TestSpecialAcceptance:
def test_sometest(self, accept):
assert accept.tmpdir.join("special").check()
Our module level factory will be invoked first and it can
ask its request object to call the next factory and then
decorate its result. This mechanism allows us to stay
ignorant of how/where the function argument is provided -
in our example from a `conftest plugin`_.
sidenote: the temporary directory used here are instances of
the `py.path.local`_ class which provides many of the os.path
methods in a convenient way.
.. _`py.path.local`: ../path.html#local
.. _`conftest plugin`: extend.html#conftestplugin
Questions and Answers
==================================
.. _`why pytest_pyfuncarg__ methods?`:
Why ``pytest_funcarg__*`` methods?
------------------------------------
When experimenting with funcargs we also
considered an explicit registration mechanism, i.e. calling a register
method on the config object. But lacking a good use case for this
indirection and flexibility we decided to go for `Convention over
Configuration`_ and allow to directly specify the factory. It has the
positive implication that you should be able to "grep" for
``pytest_funcarg__MYARG`` and will find all providing sites (usually
exactly one).
.. _`Convention over Configuration`: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_over_Configuration