When should I use mocking in software development?

When should I use mocking in software development?

Mocking is useful when you want to isolate a unit of code for testing, especially when it interacts with external systems.

Can you give me an example of when mocking would be beneficial?

Sure! If you're testing a function that makes API calls, you can mock the API response to avoid hitting the actual endpoint.

Are there any downsides to using mocking?

Yes, overusing mocks can lead to tests that don't accurately reflect real-world scenarios, making them less reliable.

How do I decide when to mock and when not to?

Consider mocking when external dependencies are slow, unreliable, or when you want to test specific scenarios without side effects.