Mock function inside function

Question

I'm trying to mock a function that makes an API call using mocker patch. However, it doesn't work, not even in this simple example. The class_abcd.process_weather() uses the actual get_weather() as opposed to the mocked one.

The directory structure is the following:

-source
  -sub
    -using_output.py
  -weather_api.py

using_output.py

from source.weather_api import get_weather

class abcd():
    def process_weather(self):
        weather = get_weather()
        return "processed " + weather

weather_api.py

def get_weather():
    return "weather"

I'm trying to test the process_weather and faking the get_weather from the weather api.

from pytest_mock import mocker
def test_weather_in_batch(mocker):
    # Setup
    fake_weather = "fake_weather"
    # Actual
    class_abcd = abcd()
    mocker.patch('weather_api.get_weather', return_value=fake_weather)
    actual = class_abcd.process_weather()

    # Expected
    expected = "processed " + "fake_weather"
    # Asset
    assert expected == actual

This article explains why your mocking is not working nedbatchelder.com/blog/201908/why_your_mock_doesnt_work.html — Jacob Joy
– Jacob Joy, Commented Feb 22, 2023 at 11:01

Mat · Accepted Answer · 2021-06-21 10:51:06Z

1

When using mock, you need to specify what import you want to patch, not the underlying module/function.

from pytest_mock import mocker
def test_weather_in_batch(mocker):
    # Setup
    fake_weather = "fake_weather"
    # Actual
    class_abcd = abcd()
    mocker.patch('source.sub.using_output.get_weather', return_value=fake_weather)
    actual = class_abcd.process_weather()

    # Expected
    expected = "processed " + "fake_weather"
    # Asset
    assert expected == actual

In your case you are importing get_weather into using_output.py.

Because you want the use the mocked version of get_weather in using_output.py, this is what you need to patch.

answered Jun 21, 2021 at 10:51

Mat

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