Python has really started to capture the imagination of developers worldwide in the past few years. It is steadily climbing the rankings and is presently third best, after Java and C, according to the Tiobe index. The easy syntax of Python code along with the vast quantity of libraries available for almost any need has made it a very firm favorite for all sorts of development. But with that broad adoption comes the need for Python to be ready for serious, commercial code quality and the best way to ensure you use one of the Python testing frameworks to both validate the logic of your coding as well as trap the more difficult logic errors which can creep in.
Python’s adaptability makes it ideal for a wide range of commercial use cases, but testing your code is crucial before publishing any Python-based products to a wider arena. This post will discuss what we mean by formal Python testing and walk you through the top six Python testing tools. By the conclusion, you’ll be able to identify the ideal testing framework for your project.
Table of Contents
What is automated testing using Python?
Automated testing is the practice of writing programs, scripts or macros which either test programs and apps externally as if a user was clicking or touching elements of the user interface and interacting with it; or it can be a series of specially written code units and projects which instantiate the program’s objects and methods in code and test that they behave and return results as expected, usually by providing test routines which supply a set of parameters or carry out actions to exercise the code and then return true or false to indicate whether the test passed or failed.
What is a unit test?
A unit test is a specially written set of one or more programs which create or instantiate a program’s objects and calls the programs methods in a controlled way purely to test that those objects and functions behave as expected. A unit test often returns true to indicate the test was successful and when these tests are gathered together into a project it is often referred to as a “unit test project”. Many automated CD/CI (continuous integration, continuous delivery) systems will not allow new code to be integrated unless there is a test project which has all the tests it contains ‘passing’ (returning true).
A unit test is not intended to be run by an end-user and is usually written with the most minimal set of functionality required to exercise the objects, methods or functions it is designed to test. Unit tests operate at the code level rather than at the user interface level.
What is an automated test script?
An automated test script might be a program designed to run a set of unit tests or it might be a set of instructions which drive the user interface of the application to attempt to automate the testing of the various controls and input or output.
Automated test scripts are available in several different programming languages, such as Python, C#, Ruby, Java, among others. However, because Python is more closely related to the English language it helps make it easier to learn to write test scripts in Python. Furthermore, unlike other programming languages, Python is an open-source language with an accessible syntax so the mechanics of how various concepts work are more simple to read and grasp than languages like C.
What are Python testing frameworks?
A Python testing framework is a set of functions and routines which help provide the capability to perform automated testing of programs and apps. The apps might not be written in Python although the tests are.
Every Python testing framework has advantages and disadvantages, but Python’s popularity means there is almost certainly something out there that will work for your business project.
You can read more about Python test automation here.
What are some high-performance Python testing frameworks for 2022?
You should be familiar with the Python testing frameworks listed below.
What Is PyScripter and why is it the go-to tool for Python testing frameworks?
Many developers consider PyScripter to be one of the best Python IDEs. PyScripter is an editor with syntax highlighting, a Python interpreter, a debugger, a project coordinator, and more. However, PyScripter’s inherent capability for integrated unit testing is its most noteworthy feature. As a result, it has made a name for itself as one of the greatest Python testing tools for software development.
You may carry out automated unit testing thanks to PyScripter’s automatic test creation. The unit testing GUI that comes with the PyScripter IDE is excellent. Additionally, it provides a sophisticated graphical user interface for executing unit tests, a common Python module, in its unit tests window. For further details, consult the official documentation.
The two most important toolbar buttons on this window are Refresh and Run.
Updating the unit test panel loads the PyScripter unit tests for the active module. It’s important to note that this necessitates importing the component into the built-in interpreter. Use the tree view to select the tests you wish to run after loading a module. You may access the testing methods or class definition in the source code by double-clicking on the name of a test or test class.
Run performs the chosen tests, making it easy to use. In the tree view, the color adjacent shows the test’s state following execution. For instance, the colors green and purple indicate success. The color red indicates a Python exception. The aggregate data are immediately below the tree view, and you can learn about the errors made by clicking on the failed tests.
Is Pytest a popular Python testing framework?
Undoubtedly one of the most popular Python testing frameworks available, Pytest is an open-source testing framework. Unit testing, functional testing, and API testing are all supported by Pytest. You will want Python 3.5 or later to run it.
What are the advantages of using Pytest?
Pytest allows for small and straightforward test suites. Secondly, utilizing plugins, such as pytest-randomly, pytest-cov, pytest-django, and pytest-bdd, is very expandable. Additionally, you may include the pytest html plugin in your project to easily produce HTML reports. You may use the Pytest plugin pytest-xdist to run tests concurrently. It possesses a sizable community. Pytest is a great approach to handling context between stages and supports fixtures, which assist you in covering all the parameter combinations without rewriting test cases.
What are the disadvantages of using Pytest?
Although Pytest makes it simple to create test cases, you won’t be able to use those in any other testing framework since Pytest uses its special techniques. Therefore, compatibility is not important for Pytest.
What Is TestProject?
An automation framework called TestProject is cost-free. It provides local and cloud HTML reports and simple test automation creation. It includes all necessary dependencies as elements of the single cross-platform client executable and supports the Pytest and Unittest frameworks.
What are the advantages of using TestProject?
TestProject is automatic and generates free reports in HTML and PDF format. TestProject’s RESTful API makes execution history easily accessible. Additionally, TestProject always uses the most recent Selenium/Appium driver releases. It provides a single SDK for testing on Android, iOS, the web, and other platforms and has built-in reporting and test runner features. TestProject is compatible with all operating systems across all platforms.
What are the disadvantages of using TestProject?
One of the biggest disadvantages is that TestProject cannot run simultaneous tests and can only do one test at a time, sequentially. Secondly, operating on-premises requires you to store tests on a shared network drive or git repository.
What Is Testify?
Testify is an automated Python testing framework.
What are the advantages of using Testify?
Testify is simple to use, offers a wide range of plugins for extra functionality, and allows for test discovery. Additionally, it has easy syntax.
What are the disadvantages of using Testify?
Implementing parallel testing with Testify is challenging. It also lacks thorough documentation therefore novices may need to take more time locating useful sources for examples and answers to any questions that might arise.
What Is PyUnit?
PyUnit is a unit testing framework often also known as Unittest, is used with JUnit. In addition, PyUnit is the built-in testing framework for Python and is delivered as a part of the Python packages by default. As a result, PyUnit is typically where developers begin their testing.
What are the advantages of using PyUnit?
PyUnit does not need extra modules installed as its creation is within the standard Python library. As a result, it provides rapid, clear, and straightforward test case execution. Additionally, it supports the rapid creation of test reports, including unittest-sml-reporting and XML reports.
What are the disadvantages of using PyUnit?
Test code supports abstraction. Thus, occasionally, the purpose might be ambiguous.
Is Behave a popular tool for test automation?
One of the most well-known Python BDD testing frameworks is Behave. It performs quite similarly to Cucumber frameworks despite not officially being part of the project.
What are the advantages of using Behave?
Behave enables the authoring test cases in understandable language, facilitating simple team cooperation across related features. A ton of informational material and support is available to get you going. It fully supports the Gherkin language. There is no need for technical experience to create feature files. Behave also has connectors for Flask and Django.
What are the disadvantages of using Behave?
Behave does not support execution in parallel and is exclusive to black box testing.
How can you use PyScripter as your Python testing framework?
PyScripter is an IDE that offers critical support for unit testing in addition to the frameworks above. There are two levels: GUI for unit testing and automatic test script creation.
Use the Unit Test Wizard option from the Tools menu to construct the fundamental structure of a test script for the first level, automated development of test scripts. First,examination of the active module’s source code takes place, and its methods and functions are shown. Next, you select(check) the functions and procedures you wish to build tests for and then hit OK. You will instantly receive a test script built on the unittest standard Python module. this creates a code for each test that you can write
To display the Unit Tests window for the second level, the GUI for unit testing, choose Unit Tests from the View Menu. you can also conduct unit tests using this window’s sophisticated user interface based on the unittest standard package for Python.
What are some of the frequently asked questions about Python testing frameworks?
Below are some of the commonly asked questions, along with their answers.
What is a Python testing framework?
Apply a collection of standards or rules called a testing framework while developing and creating test cases. A framework consists of a variety of procedures and routines intended to aid developers and QA specialists in conducting tests more quickly.
What types of testing are available in Python?
There are four main test kinds, each based on the level of code granularity and the test’s objective.
- First is unit tests which validate the code’s unique logic and functions.
- The second is feature tests which evaluate the component’s performance.
- Then come integration tests.
- Finally there are performance tests.
Which tool Is used for Python testing?
Unittest is the Python code testing tool provided by the standard library. The comprehensive testing tool pytest focuses on reducing boilerplate code and preserving backward compatibility. In addition, the unittest extension nose makes it simpler to write and test cases.
What type of framework is Pytest?
Pytest is undoubtedly one of the most popular Python testing frameworks available. It is an open-source testing framework. Unit testing, functional testing, and API testing are all supported by Pytest. You must have Python version 3.5 or later to use it.
Which is better, Pytest or Unittest?
Both frameworks are excellent for completing testing in Python, although pytest is simpler to use. Pytest’s code is clear, concise, and effective. We must import modules, make a class, and specify the testing functions for unittest in that class.
What are Selenium Python frameworks?
Based on the functional approach, there are three primary categories of Selenium frameworks: Framework based on data. Framework based on keywords. hybrid structure
Are you ready to start using some best Python testing frameworks?
The advantages of PyScripter over other Python testing tools make it the best. You should continue using PyScripter and its sophisticated capabilities as you gain more knowledge and your application develops.
