When should I use stubs or fakes in testing?

When should I use stubs or fakes in testing?

Stubs and fakes are used in testing to isolate components. Stubs provide predefined responses, while fakes have simplified implementations.

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

Sure! If you're testing a function that fetches data from an API, you can use a stub to return a fixed response without making an actual API call.

What about fakes? When would I use one?

Fakes are useful when you need a working implementation but want to simplify it. For example, a fake database that stores data in memory instead of a real database.

Are there any downsides to using stubs or fakes?

Yes, over-reliance on them can lead to tests that don't accurately reflect real-world scenarios, so use them judiciously.