What are the basics of using mocks in unit testing?

What are the basics of using mocks in unit testing?

Mocks are simulated objects that mimic the behavior of real objects in controlled ways. They are used to isolate the unit of work being tested.

Why should I use mocks instead of real objects?

Using mocks allows you to test components in isolation, ensuring that tests are not dependent on external systems or states.

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

Sure! You can use the unittest.mock library. For example, from unittest.mock import Mock; my_mock = Mock() creates a mock object.

How do I assert that a mock was called?

You can use assert my_mock.called to check if the mock was called, or my_mock.assert_called_with(args) to check for specific arguments.