In the testcase, there are many test functions and all the test functions use the same data.
class Mytest(TestCase):
def init_data(self):
insert data1
insert data2
.....
def test1:
do something
def test2:
do something
....
where should I call the init_data function. If I call the function in all the test functions, it will insert data many times and it will influence result. And i think i can call the init_data in the first test function. But when I write many test function, I find the first test function the djang call is not the first test function i write. So how should i call the init_data() function or Is there other method to do this. thanks in advance
If your tests all use the same data, you can pre-populate the TestCase using fixtures (i.e. a bunch of 'fake' database entries you use for testing). Have a look at the Django testing docs on Providing initial data for models and the Test Case documentation.
Basically, what you have is a JSON/XML/YAML file in your app with initial data for testing:
[
{
"model": "app.somemodel",
"pk": 1,
"fields": {
"somefield": 'data',
"otherfield": 'otherdata',
}
},
# more test model instances to follow.
]
If you are using JSON a(s in the above example) and name the file initial_data.json it will be automatically loaded every time you run your tests. Otherwise, to specify which fixtures to load for a specific TestCase, name the file: special_data.json and tell the TestCase to load it:
class MyTest(TestCase):
fixtures = ['special_data',]
def test1:
do something
# etc
Hope this helps!
I should also mention that although fixtures are a great and easy way to provide initial data for testing purposes, they have some drawbacks. You might wint to have a look at ModelFactores and why Carl Meyer thinks you should be using them.