Conftest fixtures (shared across files) in PyTest

Introduction

Conftest fixtures let you share setup code across many test files easily. This helps avoid repeating the same code in each test.

You want to open a database connection once and use it in many test files.

You need to prepare test data that many tests will use.

You want to create a reusable login session for web tests across files.

You want to clean up resources after tests run in multiple files.

You want to keep your test setup organized and avoid duplication.

Syntax

PyTest

In conftest.py file:

import pytest

@pytest.fixture
def my_fixture():
    # setup code
    resource = None  # define resource before yield
    yield resource
    # teardown code

The conftest.py file should be placed in the test directory or a parent directory.

Fixtures defined here are automatically available to all test files in the same directory or subdirectories.

Examples

This fixture returns a simple list that tests can use.

PyTest

import pytest

@pytest.fixture
def sample_data():
    return [1, 2, 3]

This fixture shows setup and teardown using yield.

PyTest

import pytest

@pytest.fixture
def resource():
    print('Setup resource')
    yield 'resource ready'
    print('Teardown resource')

Sample Program

The fixture greeting is defined once in conftest.py. The test in test_example.py uses it without importing. It asserts the value and prints it.

PyTest

### conftest.py ###
import pytest

@pytest.fixture
def greeting():
    return 'Hello from conftest'


### test_example.py ###

def test_use_greeting(greeting):
    assert greeting == 'Hello from conftest'
    print(greeting)

Important Notes

Do not import conftest.py in your test files; pytest finds it automatically.

Keep conftest.py clean and focused on fixtures to avoid confusion.

Summary

Conftest fixtures let you share setup code across multiple test files.

Place fixtures in conftest.py in your test folder or above.

Tests can use these fixtures automatically without imports.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of placing fixtures in a conftest.py file in pytest?

easy

A. To run tests in parallel automatically

B. To share setup code automatically across multiple test files without importing

C. To store test data in a database

D. To define test cases only for one specific test file

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of conftest.py

   The conftest.py file is used to define fixtures that can be shared across multiple test files without needing explicit imports.

2. Step 2: Identify the purpose of sharing setup code

   Sharing setup code helps avoid repetition and makes tests cleaner and easier to maintain.

3. Final Answer:

   To share setup code automatically across multiple test files without importing -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   conftest.py shares fixtures automatically [OK]

Hint: Remember: conftest.py shares fixtures without imports [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking conftest.py runs tests in parallel
• Believing conftest.py stores test data
• Assuming fixtures in conftest.py are for one file only

2. Which of the following is the correct way to define a fixture in conftest.py for sharing across test files?

easy

A. def my_fixture(): return 42

B. class my_fixture: pass

C. @pytest.fixture
def my_fixture(): return 42

D. import pytest
my_fixture = 42

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall fixture syntax in pytest

   Fixtures must be decorated with @pytest.fixture to be recognized by pytest.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   @pytest.fixture def my_fixture(): return 42 correctly uses the decorator and defines a function returning a value. Other options miss the decorator or use wrong syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   @pytest.fixture\ndef my_fixture(): return 42 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Fixtures need @pytest.fixture decorator [OK]

Hint: Always use @pytest.fixture decorator for fixtures [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting the @pytest.fixture decorator
• Defining fixtures as classes without decorator
• Assigning fixture values without function

3. Given the following conftest.py fixture and test file, what will be the output when running pytest?

-- conftest.py --
import pytest

@pytest.fixture
def number():
    return 5

-- test_sample.py --

def test_double(number):
    assert number * 2 == 10

def test_triple(number):
    assert number * 3 == 15

medium

A. Both tests pass

B. Both tests fail

C. test_double passes, test_triple fails

D. test_double fails, test_triple passes

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand fixture usage

   The fixture number returns 5 and is shared automatically via conftest.py.

2. Step 2: Evaluate test assertions

   test_double checks 5*2 == 10 (True), test_triple checks 5*3 == 15 (True). Both assertions are correct.

3. Final Answer:

   Both tests pass -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Fixture returns 5, assertions match [OK]

Hint: Check fixture value and test assertions carefully [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming fixture is not shared without import
• Miscalculating expected assertion values
• Confusing test pass/fail logic

4. You have a fixture defined in conftest.py as follows:

import pytest

@pytest.fixture
def data():
    return [1, 2, 3]

In your test file, you wrote:

def test_sum(data):
    assert sum(data) == 10

What is the problem and how to fix it?

medium

A. Assertion is wrong; sum([1,2,3]) is 6, so change 10 to 6

B. Fixture not imported; add from conftest import data

C. Fixture must be a class, not a function

D. sum() cannot be used on lists

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the fixture return value

   The fixture data returns the list [1, 2, 3].

2. Step 2: Calculate the sum and compare with assertion

   sum([1, 2, 3]) equals 6, but the test asserts it equals 10, which is incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   Assertion is wrong; sum([1,2,3]) is 6, so change 10 to 6 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   sum([1,2,3]) = 6, fix assertion [OK]

Hint: Verify expected values match fixture data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking fixture must be imported explicitly
• Assuming sum() can't handle lists
• Changing fixture type unnecessarily

5. You want to share a fixture that provides a database connection across multiple test files. You place this fixture in conftest.py:

import pytest

@pytest.fixture(scope="session")
def db_connection():
    conn = create_connection()
    yield conn
    conn.close()

What is the best reason to use scope="session" here?

hard

A. To run tests in parallel using the same connection

B. To create a new connection for every test function

C. To close the connection before each test

D. To create the connection once per test session and reuse it in all tests

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand fixture scopes in pytest

   Scope "session" means the fixture is created once for the entire test run and shared across all tests.

2. Step 2: Apply to database connection use case

   Creating the connection once saves time and resources, and closing it after all tests is efficient.

3. Final Answer:

   To create the connection once per test session and reuse it in all tests -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Session scope = one setup per test run [OK]

Hint: Use session scope for expensive setup reused by all tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking session scope creates new instance per test
• Assuming connection closes before each test
• Confusing scope with parallel test execution