HTTP test assertions in Laravel - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ component_behavior

intermediate

What does this Laravel HTTP test assertion check?

Consider this Laravel test code snippet:

$response = $this->get('/home');
$response->assertStatus(200);

What does the assertStatus(200) method verify in this test?

Laravel

$response = $this->get('/home');
$response->assertStatus(200);

A It verifies that the response contains the text '200'.

B It checks that the HTTP response status code is exactly 200 (OK).

C It asserts that the response has a JSON body with a 'status' key equal to 200.

D It confirms that the response redirects to a URL containing '200'.

💡 Hint

The number inside assertStatus refers to the HTTP status code returned by the server.

The assertStatus method checks the HTTP status code returned by the response. Passing 200 means the test expects a successful OK response.

📝 Syntax

intermediate

Which option correctly asserts JSON structure in Laravel HTTP test?

You want to test that the JSON response contains a key 'user' with a nested key 'name'. Which assertion syntax is correct?

Laravel

$response = $this->get('/api/user');

A $response->assertJsonHas('user.name', 'John');

B $response->assertJsonContains(['user.name' => 'John']);

C $response->assertJsonPath('user.name', 'John');

D $response->assertJson(['user' => ['name' => 'John']]);

💡 Hint

Use assertJson with an array matching the expected JSON structure.

assertJson expects an array that matches part of the JSON response. Nested arrays represent nested JSON objects.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does this Laravel HTTP test fail with a 500 error?

Given this test code:

$response = $this->post('/login', ['email' => '[e-mail]']);
$response->assertStatus(302);

The test fails with a 500 Internal Server Error instead of 302 redirect. What is the most likely cause?

Laravel

$response = $this->post('/login', ['email' => '[e-mail]']);
$response->assertStatus(302);

A The assertStatus method is used incorrectly; it should be assertRedirect.

B The route '/login' does not exist, so the server returns 500.

C The POST request is missing the required 'password' field, causing a server error.

D The test client does not support POST requests, causing the error.

💡 Hint

Check if all required form fields are included in the POST data.

A 500 error often means the server code crashed. Missing required input like 'password' can cause this in login logic.

❓ state_output

advanced

What is the value of $response->headers->get('Content-Type') after this test?

In a Laravel test:

$response = $this->get('/api/data');
$contentType = $response->headers->get('Content-Type');

If the API returns JSON, what is the expected value of $contentType?

Laravel

$response = $this->get('/api/data');
$contentType = $response->headers->get('Content-Type');

A 'application/json; charset=utf-8'

B 'text/html; charset=UTF-8'

C 'application/xml'

D 'text/plain'

💡 Hint

APIs returning JSON usually set Content-Type to application/json.

Laravel sets the Content-Type header to 'application/json; charset=utf-8' for JSON responses by default.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Which Laravel HTTP test assertion ensures a redirect to a named route?

You want to test that a response redirects to a route named 'dashboard'. Which assertion method and argument correctly verify this?

Laravel

$response = $this->post('/login', ['email' => '[e-mail]', 'password' => 'secret']);

A $response->assertRedirect(route('dashboard'));

B $response->assertLocation('dashboard');

C $response->assertRedirect('/dashboard');

D $response->assertRouteIs('dashboard');

💡 Hint

Use the route() helper to get the URL for a named route.

assertRedirect expects a URL. Using route('dashboard') generates the URL for the named route 'dashboard'.

Practice

1. Which Laravel HTTP test assertion checks if the response status code is 200?

easy

A. $response->assertStatus(200);

B. $response->assertRedirect('/home');

C. $response->assertSee('Welcome');

D. $response->assertJson(['success' => true]);

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of assertStatus

   This method checks the HTTP status code returned by the response.

2. Step 2: Match the status code 200 with the assertion

   $response->assertStatus(200); confirms the response was successful (OK).

3. Final Answer:

   $response->assertStatus(200); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Check status code = assertStatus(200) [OK]

Hint: Use assertStatus(200) to check for OK response quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing assertRedirect with assertStatus
• Using assertSee to check status code
• Expecting assertJson to check status

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to assert a redirect to the URL '/dashboard' in a Laravel HTTP test?

easy

A. $response->assertLocation('/dashboard', 200);

B. $response->redirect('/dashboard');

C. $response->assertRedirect('/dashboard');

D. $response->assertStatus(302, '/dashboard');

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct assertion method for redirects

   Laravel uses assertRedirect() to check if the response redirects to a given URL.

2. Step 2: Confirm the syntax matches the method signature

   The correct syntax is $response->assertRedirect('/dashboard'); which asserts a redirect to '/dashboard'.

3. Final Answer:

   $response->assertRedirect('/dashboard'); -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Redirect assertion = assertRedirect(url) [OK]

Hint: Use assertRedirect('url') to check redirects in tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using assertStatus with URL parameter
• Calling redirect() instead of assertRedirect()
• Using assertLocation with incorrect status code

3. Given the following test code:

$response = $this->get('/welcome');
$response->assertStatus(200);
$response->assertSee('Hello World');

What will happen if the page '/welcome' returns status 404?

medium

A. The test will fail on assertSee because the content is missing.

B. The test will pass because assertSee ignores status codes.

C. The test will throw a syntax error.

D. The test will fail on assertStatus(200) because the status is 404.

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the response status code

   The response returns 404, which means 'Not Found', not 200.

2. Step 2: Understand the effect of assertStatus(200)

   This assertion expects a 200 status code, so it will fail when the actual status is 404.

3. Final Answer:

   The test will fail on assertStatus(200) because the status is 404. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Status mismatch causes assertStatus failure [OK]

Hint: Check status code first; assertStatus fails if codes differ [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming assertSee passes regardless of status
• Expecting syntax errors from valid code
• Ignoring the importance of status code in tests

4. You wrote this test:

$response = $this->post('/login', ['email' => '[e-mail]', 'password' => 'secret']);
$response->assertRedirect('/dashboard');
$response->assertStatus(200);

Why does this test fail even though the redirect is correct?

medium

A. Because the post method should be get for redirects.

B. Because assertStatus(200) conflicts with the redirect status code 302.

C. Because the URL '/dashboard' is incorrect.

D. Because assertRedirect must come after assertStatus.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand HTTP redirect status codes

   Redirect responses usually have status code 302, not 200.

2. Step 2: Check the conflict between assertions

   assertRedirect('/dashboard') expects a 302 status, but assertStatus(200) expects 200, causing failure.

3. Final Answer:

   Because assertStatus(200) conflicts with the redirect status code 302. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Redirect status is 302, not 200 [OK]

Hint: Redirects use 302 status; don't assert 200 with assertRedirect [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing HTTP methods for redirect tests
• Assuming assertRedirect changes status code
• Thinking assertion order affects results

5. You want to test that a JSON API response contains a key 'status' with value 'success' and also returns HTTP status 201. Which assertion combination is correct?

hard

A. $response->assertStatus(201)->assertJson(['status' => 'success']);

B. $response->assertJson(['status' => 'success'])->assertRedirect(201);

C. $response->assertStatus(200)->assertJson(['status' => 'success']);

D. $response->assertSee('success')->assertStatus(201);

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct status code assertion

   HTTP 201 means 'Created', so assertStatus(201) is needed.

2. Step 2: Use assertJson to check JSON content

   assertJson(['status' => 'success']) verifies the JSON key and value.

3. Step 3: Combine assertions correctly

   Chaining assertStatus(201) and assertJson([...]) is valid and checks both conditions.

4. Final Answer:

   $response->assertStatus(201)->assertJson(['status' => 'success']); -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Status 201 + JSON key check = assertStatus + assertJson [OK]

Hint: Chain assertStatus(201) with assertJson for API success checks [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using assertRedirect with status code
• Checking status 200 instead of 201
• Using assertSee for JSON content