Search code examples
javascriptbackbone.jsjasminemarionette

Expected a spy, but got Function


I am trying to implement a test (1) for this module (2).
My purpose is to check if the collection is fetched when a particular event is triggered.
As you can see from my comment in (2) I get the message Error: Expected a spy, but got Function.
The module works but the test fails. any ideas?


(1)

// jasmine test module

describe('When onGivePoints is fired', function () {
    beforeEach(function () {
        spyOn(this.view.collection, 'restartPolling').andCallThrough();
        app.vent.trigger('onGivePoints');
    });
    it('the board collection should be fetched', function () {
        expect(this.view.collection.restartPolling).toHaveBeenCalled();
       // Error: Expected a spy, but got Function.
    });
});

(2)

// model view module
return Marionette.CompositeView.extend({
    initialize: function () {
        this.collection = new UserBoardCollection();
        this.collection.startPolling();
        app.vent.on('onGivePoints', this.collection.restartPolling);
    },
    // other code
});

Solution

  • You need to get into the actual method, which in this case is on the prototype.

    describe('When onGivePoints is fired', function () {
        beforeEach(function () {
            spyOn(UsersBoardCollection.prototype, 'restartPolling').andCallThrough();
            app.vent.trigger('onGivePoints');
        });
        it('the board collection should be fetched', function () {
            expect(UsersBoardCollection.prototype.restartPolling).toHaveBeenCalled();
        });
    });
    

    Spying on the prototype is a nice trick you can use when you can't get to the actual instance you want to spy on.