Question 1

How do I mock the time() function in PHPUnit tests with PHP-Mock?

Accepted Answer

Install the php-mock/php-mock-phpunit integration package, then create a Mock object in your test namespace using MockBuilder to set a fixed return value. Enable the mock before calling time() to override it with predictable output for assertions.

Question 2

PHP-Mock vs UOPZ: which is better for mocking built-in functions?

Accepted Answer

PHP-Mock is extension-free and uses namespaces, making it lightweight and easy for namespaced code, but limited to unqualified calls. UOPZ is a Zend extension that can modify any function, offering more power but requiring extension installation and potentially breaking changes in PHP versions.

Question 3

Can PHP-Mock mock exec() to simulate command outputs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, PHP-Mock can mock exec() by setting a custom function that returns fixed output or errors. This allows testing code that depends on external commands without executing them, ensuring predictable test environments.

Question 4

How to fix PHP-Mock not working on the first function call in a test?

Accepted Answer

This is due to PHP bug #68541. Call Mock::define() before the first unqualified call in the namespace, or use PHPUnit's @runInSeparateProcess annotation to run the test in an isolated process, avoiding the internal caching issue.

Question 5

Best way to mock sleep() without real delays in tests?

Accepted Answer

Use the SleepFunction provider or SleepEnvironmentBuilder from PHP-Mock. It increments a time mock instead of halting, simulating delays and allowing verification of time-based logic without slowing down test execution.

Question 6

How can I spy on rand() calls to check arguments in PHP tests?

Accepted Answer

Use the Spy class from PHP-Mock by creating a spy for rand() in the target namespace. Enable it, then call getInvocations() to retrieve details like arguments and return values for precise assertions in your tests.

PHP-Mock

What is PHP-Mock?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions