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javascript-typescript-jest

Testing & Quality
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Best practices for writing JavaScript/TypeScript tests using Jest, including mocking strategies, test structure, and common patterns.

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Test Structure

  • Name test files with .test.ts or .test.js suffix
  • Place test files next to the code they test or in a dedicated __tests__ directory
  • Use descriptive test names that explain the expected behavior
  • Use nested describe blocks to organize related tests
  • Follow the pattern: describe('Component/Function/Class', () => { it('should do something', () => {}) })

Effective Mocking

  • Mock external dependencies (APIs, databases, etc.) to isolate your tests
  • Use jest.mock() for module-level mocks
  • Use jest.spyOn() for specific function mocks
  • Use mockImplementation() or mockReturnValue() to define mock behavior
  • Reset mocks between tests with jest.resetAllMocks() in afterEach

Testing Async Code

  • Always return promises or use async/await syntax in tests
  • Use resolves/rejects matchers for promises
  • Set appropriate timeouts for slow tests with jest.setTimeout()

Snapshot Testing

  • Use snapshot tests for UI components or complex objects that change infrequently
  • Keep snapshots small and focused
  • Review snapshot changes carefully before committing

Testing React Components

  • Use React Testing Library over Enzyme for testing components
  • Test user behavior and component accessibility
  • Query elements by accessibility roles, labels, or text content
  • Use userEvent over fireEvent for more realistic user interactions

Common Jest Matchers

  • Basic: expect(value).toBe(expected), expect(value).toEqual(expected)
  • Truthiness: expect(value).toBeTruthy(), expect(value).toBeFalsy()
  • Numbers: expect(value).toBeGreaterThan(3), expect(value).toBeLessThanOrEqual(3)
  • Strings: expect(value).toMatch(/pattern/), expect(value).toContain('substring')
  • Arrays: expect(array).toContain(item), expect(array).toHaveLength(3)
  • Objects: expect(object).toHaveProperty('key', value)
  • Exceptions: expect(fn).toThrow(), expect(fn).toThrow(Error)
  • Mock functions: expect(mockFn).toHaveBeenCalled(), expect(mockFn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(arg1, arg2)