What is the difference between mocking and stubbing in Laravel?

What is the difference between mocking and stubbing in Laravel?

In Laravel, mocking and stubbing are both techniques used in testing to isolate components. Stubbing is used to replace a method with a predefined response, while mocking involves creating a fake object that can verify interactions.

Can you give me an example of when to use a mock instead of a stub?

Sure! Use a mock when you want to ensure that a method was called with specific parameters, like testing a service that sends an email. A stub would be more appropriate when you just need to return a fixed value without caring about interactions.

How do I implement mocking in Laravel?

You can implement mocking in Laravel using the Mockery library or Laravel's built-in mocking capabilities. For example, you can use Mockery::mock() to create a mock object and define expectations on it.

Are there any best practices for using mocks and stubs?

Yes, keep your tests focused and avoid overusing mocks and stubs. Use them only when necessary to isolate the unit of work you're testing, and ensure your tests remain readable and maintainable.