What is the difference between mocking and stubbing in Java?

What is the difference between mocking and stubbing in Java?

Mocking and stubbing are both techniques used in unit testing. Stubbing is used to provide predefined responses to method calls, while mocking involves creating a fake object that verifies interactions.

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

Sure! You would use a stub when you want to isolate a unit of code and provide a controlled response, like returning a fixed value from a method.

And when should I use mocking instead?

You should use mocking when you need to verify that certain methods were called on an object, such as checking if a service was invoked during a test.

Are there any libraries in Java that help with mocking and stubbing?

Yes, popular libraries include Mockito for mocking and JMock for both mocking and stubbing. They simplify the process significantly.