HTTP test assertions in Laravel - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of HTTP test assertions in Laravel?

HTTP test assertions check if your web application's responses behave as expected during automated tests. They help verify status codes, content, redirects, and more.

beginner

How do you assert that a response status is 200 OK in Laravel tests?

Use $response->assertStatus(200); to check if the HTTP response status code is 200, meaning the request was successful.

beginner

What does $response->assertSee('text') do in Laravel HTTP tests?

It checks if the response content contains the given text string. This helps confirm that specific content is visible in the response.

intermediate

How can you test that a response redirects to a specific URL in Laravel?

Use $response->assertRedirect('/target-url'); to verify the response sends a redirect to the given URL.

intermediate

What assertion would you use to check if a JSON response contains a specific structure or data?

Use $response->assertJson(['key' => 'value']); to verify the JSON response includes the specified key-value pairs.

Which Laravel assertion checks if the HTTP response status is 404?

A $response->assertJson(['status' => 404]);

B $response->assertSee('404');

C $response->assertRedirect(404);

D $response->assertStatus(404);

assertStatus(404) verifies the HTTP status code is 404 Not Found.

How do you verify that a response contains the text 'Welcome' in Laravel tests?

A $response->assertContains('Welcome');

B $response->assertSee('Welcome');

C $response->assertText('Welcome');

D $response->assertHas('Welcome');

assertSee('Welcome') checks if the response content includes the text 'Welcome'.

Which assertion confirms a response redirects to '/home'?

A $response->assertRedirect('/home');

B $response->assertStatus(302);

C $response->assertLocation('/home');

D $response->assertJson(['redirect' => '/home']);

assertRedirect('/home') checks the response redirects to the URL '/home'.

To check if a JSON response has a key 'user' with value 'admin', which assertion is correct?

A $response->assertJsonContains('user', 'admin');

B $response->assertSeeJson('user', 'admin');

C $response->assertJson(['user' => 'admin']);

D $response->assertJsonHas('user', 'admin');

assertJson(['user' => 'admin']) verifies the JSON response includes that key-value pair.

Which assertion would you use to confirm a response has no errors in Laravel?

A $response->assertSuccessful();

B $response->assertNoErrors();

C $response->assertOk();

D $response->assertValid();

assertSuccessful() checks if the response status code is between 200 and 299, meaning no errors.

Explain how to use Laravel HTTP test assertions to verify a page loads successfully and contains specific text.

Think about checking status and visible content.

Describe how to test JSON responses in Laravel using HTTP test assertions.

Focus on JSON content verification.

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