What is the difference between mocking and stubbing in APIs?

What is the difference between mocking and stubbing in APIs?

Mocking and stubbing are both techniques used in testing APIs. Stubbing is used to simulate the behavior of a specific method or function, providing predefined responses. Mocking, on the other hand, involves creating a fake object that simulates the behavior of real objects, allowing you to verify interactions.

Can you give me an example of when to use each?

Sure! Use stubbing when you want to isolate a unit of code and provide controlled responses, like returning a fixed value from a database call. Use mocking when you need to verify that certain methods were called, such as ensuring a service was invoked during a request.

Are there any tools that can help with mocking and stubbing?

Yes, there are several tools available! For JavaScript, you can use libraries like Sinon.js for mocking and stubbing. In Java, Mockito is a popular choice. These tools help streamline the testing process.

What are the benefits of using these techniques?

The benefits include improved test reliability, faster execution times, and the ability to test components in isolation without relying on external systems.