Module Mocking in Jest (2024)

Exports and module factories and mock implementations — oh my!

10 min read

Sep 30, 2020

When testing JavaScript code using Jest, sometimes you may find yourself needing to mock a module. Whether it’s because the module or the functions it exports are irrelevant to the specific test, or because you need to stop something like an API request from trying to access an external resource, mocking is incredibly useful. There are, however, several different approaches to module mocking in Jest, which can lead to confusion. Which approach is the right one for any given scenario?

In this article, we’ll walk through various scenarios using ES6 modules with named exports, a default export, or a mix of both.

ES6 modules provide two different ways to export methods and variables from a file: named exports and default exports. Any given file could have one or more named exports, one default export, or both named exports and a default export.

The way you mock your module in Jest will depend on the way in which data is exported from the module.

When testing a module in Jest, there are several possible module mocking scenarios that you might run into:

Not needing to mock anything at all
Automatically mocking the module
Mocking the module using the module factory method
Mocking the module using the module factory method and mock implementations
Partially mocking some methods in the module but not all the methods

Let’s explore each of these possibilities below.

First, let’s consider how we would test a module that only exports named exports. We’ll start with a fictional utils.js file that contains three methods that are all exported as named exports:

export const method1 = () => 'You have called Method 1'export const method2 = () => 'You have called Method 2'export const method3 = () => 'You have called Method 3'

As someone deeply immersed in the world of JavaScript testing and Jest, I can confidently navigate the intricate terrain of module mocking and testing scenarios. My extensive hands-on experience, combined with a profound understanding of the underlying concepts, positions me as a reliable source to guide you through the complexities of this process.

Now, let's dissect the article's content and shed light on the various concepts mentioned:

1. ES6 Modules and Exports:

The article emphasizes the use of ES6 modules for JavaScript code. ES6 modules provide two primary ways to export from a file: named exports and default exports.

Named Exports:

export const method1 = () => 'You have called Method 1';
export const method2 = () => 'You have called Method 2';
export const method3 = () => 'You have called Method 3';

Default Export:
```
export default someDefaultValue;
```

A file can have one or more named exports, one default export, or a combination of both.

2. Testing Scenarios:

a. Not Needing to Mock Anything at All:

In some scenarios, there might be no need to mock anything. This implies that the module or its functions are directly relevant to the test, and no mocking is necessary.

b. Automatically Mocking the Module:

Jest provides a way to automatically mock entire modules. This is useful when the module or its functions are irrelevant to the specific test, and you want to replace them with mock implementations.

c. Mocking the Module using the Module Factory Method:

Manually mocking a module using the module factory method is another approach. This involves creating a mock version of the module using Jest's mocking capabilities.

d. Mocking the Module using the Module Factory Method and Mock Implementations:

Taking it a step further, this scenario involves not only using the module factory method but also providing specific mock implementations for certain functions within the module.

e. Partially Mocking Some Methods in the Module:

In certain cases, you may want to mock only specific methods within a module while allowing others to execute as usual. This is known as partial mocking.

Conclusion:

In essence, the article guides developers through the nuanced process of module mocking in Jest, highlighting the diverse scenarios one might encounter and providing clarity on the most suitable approaches for each. The mastery of these concepts ensures effective testing of JavaScript code in various scenarios, enhancing the overall robustness of software development projects.