How can I pass mock object in data provider, using Mockito TestNG?

Question

I am trying to pass a mock object to test method through data provider. Below is my test class:

@Test
public class FirstTest {
@InjectMocks
First firstSpy;

@Mock
Second secondMock;

@Mock
Third thirdMock;

@BeforeMethod
public void beforeMethod() {
    firstSpy = Mockito.spy(new First());
    MockitoAnnotations.initMocks(this);

}

@DataProvider
private final Object[][] serviceData() {
    return new Object [][] {
        {thirdMock, 1},
        {null, 2}
    };
}

@Test(dataProvider="serviceData")
public void m1(Third thirdObject, int noOfTimesm3Called) {
  Mockito.doReturn(secondMock).when(firstSpy).m4();
  Mockito.doReturn(thirdObject).when(secondMock).m2();
  firstSpy.m1();
  verify(firstSpy, times(noOfTimesm3Called)).m3();
}
}

However, when I run this, it displays

PASSED: m1(null, 2)
FAILED: m1(null, 1) 

which means both times a null object is passed. What is the reason behind this? And how can I get the desired behavior? I want to avoid any if-else statements in the test method, and want to test both cases in the same method using data provider. Is there a way for it?

Answer 1

Testng is calling methods in this specific order: serviceData, beforeMethod and m1.

If you want to pass a mock with a data provider, you have to create it before or into the data provider method.