How do I mock dependencies in my unit tests?

How do I mock dependencies in my unit tests?

Mocking dependencies in unit tests allows you to isolate the code being tested. You can use libraries like Mockito for Java or unittest.mock for Python.

Can you show me an example in Python?

Sure! Here's a simple example using unittest.mock:

from unittest.mock import Mock

def fetch_data(api_client):
    return api_client.get_data()

mock_client = Mock()
mock_client.get_data.return_value = 'mocked data'

result = fetch_data(mock_client)
print(result)  # Output: mocked data

What are the benefits of mocking?

Mocking helps in testing by simulating complex dependencies, making tests faster and more reliable, and allowing you to test edge cases.

Are there any downsides to mocking?

Yes, over-mocking can lead to tests that are too detached from real-world scenarios, potentially missing integration issues.