How to specify a different .env file for phpunit in Laravel 5?

Question

I have a .env file containing my database connection details, as is normal for Laravel 5. I want to override these for testing, which I can do in phpunit.

Answer 1

From this link

Method 1

Step 1: Create New Test Database Connection on Database/Config.php as below:

return [
    ... 

    'default' => env('DB_CONNECTION', 'db'),    

    'connections' => [
        'sqlite_testing_db' => [
            'driver' => 'sqlite',
            'database' => storage_path().'/testing_database.sqlite',           
            'prefix' => '',
        ],

        /**************** OR ******************/

        'testing_db' => [
            'driver' => 'mysql',
            'host' => env('TEST_DB_HOST', 'localhost'),
            'database' => env('TEST_DB_DATABASE', 'forge'),
            'username' => env('TEST_DB_USERNAME', 'forge'),
            'password' => env('TEST_DB_PASSWORD', ''),
            'charset' => 'utf8',
            'collation' => 'utf8_unicode_ci',
            'prefix' => '',
            'strict' => false,
        ],

        /** Production or database DB **/
        'db' => [
            'driver' => 'mysql',
            'host' => env('TEST_DB_HOST', 'localhost'),
            'database' => env('TEST_DB_DATABASE', 'forge'),
            'username' => env('TEST_DB_USERNAME', 'forge'),
            'password' => env('TEST_DB_PASSWORD', ''),
            'charset' => 'utf8',
            'collation' => 'utf8_unicode_ci',
            'prefix' => '',
            'strict' => false,
        ],
    ],
];

Step 2: Specify the Database Credential on .env file

TEST_DB_HOST=localhost
TEST_DB_DATABASE=laravel
TEST_DB_USERNAME=root
TEST_DB_PASSWORD=rootwdp

Step 3: Specify test db conection to be used on phpunit.xml.

          OR Below If you prefer sqlite
                

Step 4: Migrate database to this new testing database - if you choose to use Database Transaction to Rollback insertion on the table.

php artisan migrate --database=testing_db

//If using sqlite
touch storage/testing_database.sqlite
php artisan migrate --database=sqlite_testing

Step 5: Now, the Unit test with Database Transaction looks like below:

create();

        $users = User::all();

        $this->assertEquals(2, $users->count());
    }
}

//Run Php Unit
-> vendor/bin/phpunit --color tests/acceptance/model/UserTest.php

Note: If you prefer not to use Database Transaction, you can use setup and teardown method on TestCase.php class to migrate and rollback the database as below: