Guide for writing unit tests. Use this when creating tests to verify Python logic.
apm install @microsoft/write-tests
[](https://apm-p1ls2dz87-atlamors-projects.vercel.app/packages/@microsoft/write-tests)---
name: write-tests
description: Guide for writing unit tests. Use this when creating tests to verify Python logic.
---
# Writing Tests
This skill covers how to write tests for the Semantic Link Labs project.
## When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when you need to:
- Write tests for new functions
- Add test coverage for existing code
- Test error handling and edge cases
- Validate input parsing and data transformations
---
## Test Framework
| Component | Details |
|-----------|---------|
| **Framework** | pytest |
| **Location** | `tests/` directory |
| **Assertions** | Standard pytest assertions |
---
## Test File Structure
```
tests/
├── __init__.py
├── test_helper_functions.py
├── test_workspaces.py
├── test_admin.py
└── ...
```
### Naming Conventions
- Test files: `test_*.py` or `*_test.py`
- Test functions: `test_<function_name>_<scenario>`
- Test classes: `Test<ClassName>`
---
## Writing Basic Tests
### Simple Function Test
```python
import pytest
import pandas as pd
def test_my_function_returns_dataframe():
"""Test that my_function returns a DataFrame."""
from sempy_labs import my_function
result = my_function()
assert isinstance(result, pd.DataFrame)
def test_my_function_has_expected_columns():
"""Test that result has expected columns."""
from sempy_labs import my_function
result = my_function()
expected_columns = ["Id", "Name", "Type"]
for col in expected_columns:
assert col in result.columns
```
### Test with Parameters
```python
def test_my_function_filters_by_type():
"""Test that my_function filters by item_type."""
from sempy_labs import my_function
result = my_function(item_type="Report")
assert all(result["Type"] == "Report")
```
---
## Testing Error Handling
### Expected Exceptions
```python
def test_my_function_raises_on_invalid_workspace():
"""Test that invalid workspace raises ValueError."""
from sempy_labs import my_function
with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Invalid workspace"):
my_function(workspace="NonExistent")
def test_my_function_raises_on_missing_parameter():
"""Test that missing required parameter raises error."""
from sempy_labs import my_function
with pytest.raises(TypeError):
my_function() # Missing required parameter
```
### Exception Message Matching
```python
def test_error_message_is_descriptive():
"""Test that error message contains helpful information."""
from sempy_labs import my_function
with pytest.raises(ValueError) as exc_info:
my_function(invalid_param="bad")
assert "invalid_param" in str(exc_info.value)
assert "bad" in str(exc_info.value)
```
---
## Using Fixtures
### Basic Fixture
```python
import pytest
import pandas as pd
@pytest.fixture
def sample_dataframe():
"""Create a sample DataFrame for testing."""
return pd.DataFrame({
"Id": ["1", "2", "3"],
"Name": ["Item A", "Item B", "Item C"],
"Type": ["Report", "Dataset", "Report"],
})
def test_filter_function(sample_dataframe):
"""Test filtering function with sample data."""
from sempy_labs._helper_functions import filter_items
result = filter_items(sample_dataframe, type="Report")
assert len(result) == 2
assert all(result["Type"] == "Report")
```
### Fixture with Parameters
```python
@pytest.fixture(params=["Report", "Dataset", "Lakehouse"])
def item_type(request):
"""Parameterized fixture for item types."""
return request.param
def test_with_different_item_types(item_type):
"""Test function with different item types."""
from sempy_labs import my_function
result = my_function(item_type=item_type)
assert isinstance(result, pd.DataFrame)
```
---
## Mocking External Dependencies
### Mocking API Calls
```python
from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
def test_function_with_mocked_api():
"""Test with mocked API response."""
mock_response = MagicMock()
mock_response.json.return_value = {
"value": [
{"id": "123", "name": "Test Item"}
]
}
mock_response.status_code = 200
with patch('sempy_labs._helper_functions._base_api') as mock_api:
mock_api.return_value = mock_response
from sempy_labs import list_items
result = list_items()
assert len(result) == 1
assert result.iloc[0]["Name"] == "Test Item"
```
### Mocking Fabric Client
```python
from unittest.mock import patch
def test_function_with_mocked_fabric():
"""Test with mocked sempy.fabric calls."""
with patch('sempy.fabric.resolve_workspace_id') as mock_resolve:
mock_resolve.return_value = "12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012"
from sempy_labs._helper_functions import resolve_workspace_id
result = resolve_workspace_id("My Workspace")
mock_resolve.assert_called_once()
```
---
## Parameterized Tests
### Multiple Input Values
```python
import pytest
@pytest.mark.parametrize("input_value,expected", [
("value1", "result1"),
("value2", "result2"),
("value3", "result3"),
])
def test_function_with_multiple_inputs(input_value, expected):
"""Test function with multiple input values."""
from sempy_labs import my_function
result = my_function(input_value)
assert result == expected
```
### Testing Edge Cases
```python
@pytest.mark.parametrize("workspace", [
None, # Default workspace
"My Workspace", # By name
"12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012", # By UUID string
])
def test_accepts_various_workspace_formats(workspace):
"""Test that function accepts various workspace formats."""
from sempy_labs import my_function
# Should not raise
result = my_function(workspace=workspace)
assert result is not None
```
---
## Testing DataFrame Results
### Column Validation
```python
def test_result_has_required_columns():
"""Test that result DataFrame has required columns."""
from sempy_labs import list_items
result = list_items()
required_columns = ["Id", "Name", "Type"]
for col in required_columns:
assert col in result.columns, f"Missing column: {col}"
```
### Data Type Validation
```python
def test_result_column_types():
"""Test that result columns have correct types."""
from sempy_labs import list_items
result = list_items()
assert result["Id"].dtype == "object" # string
assert result["Name"].dtype == "object" # string
```
### Empty Result Handling
```python
def test_handles_empty_result():
"""Test that function handles empty results gracefully."""
from sempy_labs import list_items
result = list_items(item_type="NonExistentType")
assert isinstance(result, pd.DataFrame)
assert result.empty
# Columns should still exist even if empty
assert "Id" in result.columns
```
---
## Test Organization
### Grouping Related Tests
```python
class TestWorkspaceFunctions:
"""Tests for workspace-related functions."""
def test_list_workspaces(self):
"""Test listing workspaces."""
pass
def test_resolve_workspace_id(self):
"""Test resolving workspace ID."""
pass
def test_resolve_workspace_name(self):
"""Test resolving workspace name."""
pass
class TestHelperFunctions:
"""Tests for helper utility functions."""
def test_is_valid_uuid(self):
"""Test UUID validation."""
pass
def test_create_dataframe(self):
"""Test DataFrame creation helper."""
pass
```
---
## Best Practices
### Do's
- ✅ Use descriptive test names
- ✅ Test one thing per test function
- ✅ Include docstrings explaining what's being tested
- ✅ Use fixtures for reusable setup
- ✅ Test both success and failure cases
- ✅ Mock external dependencies when needed
### Don'ts
- ❌ Don't test multiple behaviors in one test
- ❌ Don't rely on external services in unit tests
- ❌ Don't use hardcoded secrets or credentials
- ❌ Don't write tests that depend on test execution order
- ❌ Don't ignore flaky tests - fix them
---
## Pre-Commit Test Checklist
Before committing new tests:
1. Run the tests locally:
```bash
pytest -sv tests/ -k my_new_test
```
2. Verify tests pass consistently (run multiple times)
3. Check test coverage for the new code
4. Ensure tests are independent and don't rely on each other