Unit tests focus on isolated components like service methods, while feature tests check integrated user flows like form submissions. 2. Laravel’s tests directory includes Unit and Feature folders, and tests are run using php artisan test with optional --testsuite filters. 3. Write unit tests for classes like PriceCalculator by extending TestCase and using assertions to validate logic. 4. Feature tests simulate user actions such as POST requests and use methods like assertRedirect and assertDatabaseHas to verify outcomes. 5. Use a dedicated testing database via phpunit.xml and RefreshDatabase trait to reset state. 6. Test API endpoints with getJson and assertJson, ensuring correct status and responses. 7. Generate test data using Eloquent factories with create, customize attributes, or define factory states. 8. Best practices include keeping tests fast and independent, avoiding testing framework code, naming methods clearly, and mocking external services with Http::fake. Laravel provides robust built-in tools for effective testing, enabling clear, maintainable unit and feature tests that validate business logic and user interactions thoroughly.
Writing unit and feature tests in Laravel is straightforward thanks to its built-in support for PHPUnit and testing helpers. Here’s how to approach both types effectively.
1. Understanding Unit vs Feature Tests
- Unit Tests focus on individual components in isolation — like a single method in a service class or a helper function.
- Feature Tests (also called integration tests) test how parts of your application work together — for example, checking if a user can log in or submit a form successfully.
Laravel provides tools to make both types easy to write and run.
2. Setting Up Tests
Laravel comes with a tests directory already structured:
tests/ ├── Feature/ ├── Unit/ ├── CreatesApplication.php └── TestCase.php
- All test classes should extend
Tests\TestCase. - The
CreatesApplicationtrait bootstraps the Laravel app for testing. - You can run all tests with:
php artisan test
Or run only unit or feature tests:
php artisan test --testsuite=Unit php artisan test --testsuite=Feature
3. Writing Unit Tests
Use unit tests to verify logic inside classes like services, helpers, or value objects.
Example: Testing a Simple Service
Let’s say you have a PriceCalculator class:
// app/Services/PriceCalculator.php
namespace App\Services;
class PriceCalculator
{
public function applyTax(float $price, float $taxRate): float
{
return $price ($price * $taxRate);
}
}Create a unit test:
php artisan make:test PriceCalculatorTest --unit
This creates tests/Unit/PriceCalculatorTest.php:
namespace Tests\Unit;
use Tests\TestCase;
use App\Services\PriceCalculator;
class PriceCalculatorTest extends TestCase
{
/** @test */
public function it_calculates_price_with_tax_correctly()
{
$calculator = new PriceCalculator();
$result = $calculator->applyTax(100, 0.1);
$this->assertEquals(110, $result);
}
}Note: Use
/** @test */or prefix methods withtest_so PHPUnit knows to run them.
4. Writing Feature Tests
Feature tests simulate real user actions — hitting routes, interacting with the database, sessions, etc.
Example: Test User Registration
Generate a feature test:
php artisan make:test UserRegistrationTest
Edit tests/Feature/UserRegistrationTest.php:
namespace Tests\Feature;
use Tests\TestCase;
use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\RefreshDatabase;
class UserRegistrationTest extends TestCase
{
use RefreshDatabase; // Reset DB after each test
public function test_user_can_register()
{
$response = $this->post('/register', [
'name' => 'John Doe',
'email' => 'john@example.com',
'password' => 'password',
'password_confirmation' => 'password',
]);
$response->assertRedirect('/dashboard');
$this->assertDatabaseHas('users', [
'email' => 'john@example.com',
]);
}
}Useful feature testing methods:
$this->get($uri)/$this->post($uri, $data)$response->assertStatus($code)$response->assertRedirect($url)$response->assertSee('text')(for viewing content)$response->assertValid()(for validating form requests)$this->assertDatabaseHas('table', [...])$this->actingAs($user)— to simulate logged-in users
5. Using Test Databases
Always use a separate database for testing.
In phpunit.xml, set:
<env name="DB_DATABASE" value="testing"/>
And use the RefreshDatabase trait in feature tests to migrate and clean the DB between tests.
6. Testing API Endpoints
For JSON APIs, Laravel makes it easy:
public function test_api_returns_user()
{
$user = User::factory()->create();
$this->actingAs($user, 'api');
$response = $this->getJson('/api/user');
$response->assertStatus(200)
->assertJson(['id' => $user->id]);
}You can also test API authentication, validation errors, and more.
7. Factories and Seeders
Use Eloquent factories to create test data:
use App\Models\User; $user = User::factory()->create(); $users = User::factory(3)->create();
Customize attributes:
$user = User::factory()->create([
'email' => 'test@example.com',
]);Or define states in the factory:
$admin = User::factory()->admin()->create();
8. Best Practices
- Keep tests fast and independent
- Use
RefreshDatabaseinstead ofDatabaseMigrationsorDatabaseTransactionsunless you have a reason - Avoid testing Laravel itself — focus on your logic
- Name test methods clearly (e.g.,
test_user_cannot_view_others_post) - Use
withoutExceptionHandling()only when debugging - Mock external services (e.g., payment gateways) using
Http::fake()
Basically, Laravel gives you everything you need out of the box. Write unit tests for your business logic, and feature tests for user flows. Keep them clear, fast, and meaningful.
The above is the detailed content of How to write unit and feature tests in Laravel?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
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