unittest

unittest is a unit testing framework for Python, originally inspired by JUnit and other xUnit testing frameworks. It provides a set of tools for constructing and running tests, including test cases, test suites, and test runners, to help developers verify that their code behaves as expected. It is part of Python's standard library, making it widely accessible for testing Python applications.

Also known as: Python unittest, unittest module, PyUnit, Python unit testing framework, unittest.py

Why learn unittest?

Developers should learn and use unittest to ensure code reliability and maintainability through automated testing, particularly in Python projects where it is the built-in testing solution. It is ideal for writing and organizing unit tests for functions, classes, and modules, supporting test discovery, fixtures, and assertions to catch bugs early in the development cycle. Use cases include testing individual components in software applications, integrating with CI/CD pipelines, and following test-driven development (TDD) practices.

Learning Resources

• docs: Python unittest Documentation
• tutorial: Real Python: Getting Started With Testing in Python
• video: Corey Schafer: Python Tutorial: Unit Testing Your Code with the unittest Module
• book: Test-Driven Development with Python by Harry Percival