Running tests by marker (-m) in PyTest - Test Execution Trace

Test Overview

This test script uses pytest markers to categorize tests. It runs only tests marked with smoke and verifies their output.

Test Code - pytest

PyTest

import pytest

@pytest.mark.smoke
def test_addition():
    assert 1 + 1 == 2

@pytest.mark.regression
def test_subtraction():
    assert 5 - 3 == 2

@pytest.mark.smoke
def test_multiplication():
    assert 2 * 3 == 6

# Command to run: pytest -m smoke

Execution Trace - 5 Steps

Step	Action	System State	Assertion	Result
1	Test runner starts pytest with marker filter '-m smoke'	pytest collects tests from the file, filtering only those marked with 'smoke'	-	PASS
2	pytest runs test_addition() marked with 'smoke'	Test environment ready, test_addition executes	assert 1 + 1 == 2	PASS
3	pytest runs test_multiplication() marked with 'smoke'	Test environment ready, test_multiplication executes	assert 2 * 3 == 6	PASS
4	pytest does not collect test_subtraction() because it is marked 'regression', not 'smoke'	test_subtraction is not collected or executed	-	PASS
5	pytest finishes test run and reports results	Only tests with 'smoke' marker ran and passed	2 tests passed, 0 tests skipped	PASS

Failure Scenario

Failing Condition: A test marked with 'smoke' fails its assertion

Execution Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

Which tests are executed when running 'pytest -m smoke'?

A Only tests marked with 'smoke'

B All tests regardless of marker

C Only tests marked with 'regression'

D No tests are executed

Key Result

Using markers with '-m' lets you run specific groups of tests easily, helping focus on important test sets like smoke tests.