Mocking Functions Using Python Mock

Question

I am trying to Mock a function (that returns some external content) using the python mock module.

I\'m having some trouble mocking functions that are im

Answer 1

Let's assume you're creating your mock inside module foobar:

import util, mock
util.get_content = mock.Mock(return_value="mocked stuff")

If you import mymodule and call util.get_content without first importing foobar, your mock will not be installed:

import util
def func()
    print util.get_content()
func()
"stuff"

Instead:

import util
import foobar   # substitutes the mock
def func():
    print util.get_content()
func()
"mocked stuff"

Note that foobar can be imported from anywhere (module A imports B which imports foobar) as long as foobar is evaluated before util.get_content is called.