What is the difference between mocks and stubs in Python testing?

What is the difference between mocks and stubs in Python testing?

Mocks and stubs are both used in testing to isolate components. A stub provides predefined responses, while a mock verifies interactions.

Can you give me an example of how to use a mock in Python?

Sure! You can use the unittest.mock library. For example, mock_obj = Mock(return_value=5) creates a mock that returns 5 when called.

What about stubs? How do they differ in implementation?

Stubs are simpler; they just return fixed values. For instance, you might define a function that returns a specific value without any logic.

When should I use mocks instead of stubs?

Use mocks when you need to verify that certain methods were called with specific arguments, while stubs are for providing fixed responses.