pytest-cov setup - Test Execution Trace

Test Overview

This test checks that pytest-cov is correctly set up to measure code coverage during pytest test runs. It verifies that coverage data is collected and reported.

Test Code - PyTest

PyTest

import pytest

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

def test_add():
    assert add(2, 3) == 5

# Run this test with coverage using:
# pytest --cov=.

Execution Trace - 4 Steps

Step	Action	System State	Assertion	Result
1	Test runner starts pytest with coverage option '--cov=.'	Terminal shows pytest starting and coverage plugin initializing	—	PASS
2	Pytest discovers test_add function and runs it	Test function executes in Python environment	assert add(2, 3) == 5	PASS
3	pytest-cov collects coverage data for the add function	Coverage data is recorded in memory	—	PASS
4	pytest finishes and outputs coverage report to terminal	Terminal displays coverage summary showing 100% coverage for add function	Coverage report shows 100% lines covered	PASS

Failure Scenario

Failing Condition: pytest-cov plugin is not installed or coverage option is missing

Execution Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the '--cov=.' option do when running pytest?

A It runs tests in parallel

B It skips all tests

C It measures code coverage for the current directory

D It disables assertions

Key Result

Always verify that the coverage plugin is installed and the coverage option is correctly passed to pytest to ensure coverage data is collected.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using pytest-cov in testing?

easy

A. To speed up test execution time

B. To measure how much of your code is tested by your tests

C. To automatically fix failing tests

D. To generate test data automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall pytest-cov's core function

   pytest-cov is a plugin that tracks which parts of your code are executed during tests.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Only To measure how much of your code is tested by your tests correctly describes coverage measurement, others describe unrelated features.

3. Final Answer:

   To measure how much of your code is tested by your tests -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   pytest-cov measures coverage = A [OK]

Hint: Remember: cov means coverage, it shows tested code parts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing coverage with test speed
• Thinking pytest-cov fixes tests
• Assuming it generates test data

2. Which command correctly installs the pytest-cov plugin?

easy

A. pip install pytest-cov

B. pip install pytest_cov

C. pip install pytestcov

D. pip install pytest coverage

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the exact package name

   The official package name is 'pytest-cov' with a hyphen.

2. Step 2: Compare options with correct spelling

   Only pip install pytest-cov matches the correct package name and syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   pip install pytest-cov -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct package name = B [OK]

Hint: Use hyphen, not underscore or spaces in package name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using underscore instead of hyphen
• Adding spaces in package name
• Misspelling the package name

3. What will be the output when running pytest --cov=my_module if all code in my_module is covered by tests?

medium

A. Tests will fail automatically

B. An error saying coverage data not found

C. No coverage report is shown

D. A coverage report showing 100% coverage for my_module

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the pytest --cov command

   The command runs tests and measures coverage for 'my_module'.

2. Step 2: Determine output for 100% coverage

   If all code is tested, coverage report shows 100% coverage.

3. Final Answer:

   A coverage report showing 100% coverage for my_module -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Full coverage means 100% report = A [OK]

Hint: Full coverage means report shows 100% coverage [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting errors when coverage is full
• Thinking coverage report is hidden by default
• Assuming tests fail if coverage is 100%

4. You run pytest --cov=my_module --cov-report=html but no HTML report is generated. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You forgot to install pytest-cov plugin

B. You did not specify the module name correctly

C. The HTML report is generated in a different folder

D. The tests did not run at all

Solution

1. Step 1: Check common reasons for missing HTML report

   pytest-cov generates HTML reports in a folder named 'htmlcov' by default.

2. Step 2: Understand report location

   The report is generated but may be in a folder you did not check.

3. Final Answer:

   The HTML report is generated in a different folder -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   HTML report folder = C [OK]

Hint: Check 'htmlcov' folder for HTML report after running tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming plugin is not installed without checking
• Thinking report is shown in terminal only
• Believing tests must fail to generate report

5. You want to measure coverage for multiple modules mod1 and mod2 and generate both terminal and HTML reports. Which command is correct?

hard

A. pytest --cov=mod1,mod2 --cov-report=term --cov-report=html

B. pytest --cov=mod1 --cov-report=term --cov=mod2 --cov-report=term

C. pytest --cov=mod1 mod2 --cov-report=term,html

D. pytest --cov=mod1 --cov=mod2 --cov-report=term --cov-report=term

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand multiple module coverage syntax

   pytest-cov accepts multiple modules separated by commas in a single --cov option.

2. Step 2: Understand multiple report formats syntax

   Multiple reports are specified by repeating the --cov-report flag, e.g., --cov-report=term --cov-report=html.

3. Final Answer:

   pytest --cov=mod1,mod2 --cov-report=term --cov-report=html -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Comma for modules, repeat --cov-report = D [OK]

Hint: Use commas to list modules in one --cov option [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using multiple --cov options instead of comma separation
• Combining modules without commas
• Incorrectly combining report types in one option