mock-path-with-simple-spy

Mocks a given path with a simple spy that returns either a constant symbol or something provided by you.

Why?

Because in unit tests, we mock some dependency functions.
And, usually, we like them to return a constant value.
And, usually, we like to assert their calls/args.
And, usually, we require the test subject multiple times.

This utility fits that pattern.

How?

Example

dep.js

// we will be mocking this file
 
module.exports = (x) => x.toUpperCase()

index.js

// this module will be our test subject
 
const dep = require('./dep')
module.exports = (x) => dep(x) + '-foo'

index.test.js

// unit tests here
 
const assert = require('assert')
const mockPathWithSimpleSpy = require('mock-path-with-simple-spy')
const requireUncached = require('require-uncached')
 
// set up a mock
const depMocks = mockPathWithSimpleSpy(
  './dep', // path to mock
  'MOCKED' // mocked function return value
)
 
// test A
const depSpyA = depMocks.next().value // mock
const subjectA = requireUncached('.')
const actualA = subjectA('a')
assert.strictEqual(actualA, 'MOCKED-foo') // `./dep` is mocked
assert.deepStrictEqual(depSpyA.args, [['a']]) // spy available
 
// test B
const depSpyB = depMocks.next().value
const subjectB = requireUncached('.')
const actualB = subject('b')
assert.strictEqual((actualB, 'MOCKED-foo')
assert.deepStrictEqual(depSpyB.args, [['b']])

API

mockPathWithSimpleSpy(path[, spyReturn]) (not a generator function)

• path
  The path to mock. Will be passed to mock.
• spyReturn (optional)
  If provided, all spies return provided value.
  If not provided, all spies share the same return value. A symbol with path as its description.

Returns an iterator, with the following properties:

• next()
  On next, the path is mocked with a new simple-spy and the spy is returned.
• spyReturn
  The spy’s return value
• stop()
  Calls mock.stop on the path

Caveats

Uses module.parent

So it must always be required directly in the module where it is used. This may be fixed by using caller-path instead of module.parent, so please report an issue if you find that it bothers you.

requires the mocked module

The path is required and the exported function’s length is examined, for the purpose of the mock function being of the same arity as the mocked function.