Mock Testing

Mock testing is a software testing technique where real objects or components are replaced with simulated versions (mocks) to isolate and test specific parts of an application. It allows developers to verify interactions between components without relying on external dependencies, such as databases, APIs, or network services. This approach helps ensure that tests are fast, reliable, and focused on the unit of code being tested.

Also known as: Mocking, Test Doubles, Fake Testing, Stub Testing, Mock Objects

Why learn Mock Testing?

Developers should use mock testing when writing unit tests to isolate code from external dependencies, making tests faster and more predictable. It is particularly useful for testing code that interacts with slow or unreliable services, such as third-party APIs, databases, or file systems. Mock testing also enables testing of edge cases and error conditions that might be difficult to reproduce with real dependencies.

Learning Resources

• docs: Martin Fowler - Mocks Aren't Stubs
• docs: Mockito Documentation
• tutorial: Python unittest.mock Tutorial
• docs: Jest Mocking Guide
• course: Udemy - Unit Testing and Mocking in Java