python - Run code before and after each test in py.test?

Question

I want to run additional setup and teardown checks before and after each test in my test suite. I've looked at fixtures but not sure on whether they are the correct approach. I need to run the setup code prior to each test and I need to run the teardown checks after each test.

My use-case is checking for code that doesn't cleanup correctly: it leaves temporary files. In my setup, I will check the files and in the teardown I also check the files. If there are extra files I want the test to fail.

Answer 1

py.test fixtures are a technically adequate method to achieve your purpose.

You just need to define a fixture like that:

@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
def run_around_tests():
    # Code that will run before your test, for example:
    files_before = # ... do something to check the existing files
    # A test function will be run at this point
    yield
    # Code that will run after your test, for example:
    files_after = # ... do something to check the existing files
    assert files_before == files_after

By declaring your fixture with autouse=True, it will be automatically invoked for each test function defined in the same module.

That said, there is one caveat. Asserting at setup/teardown is a controversial practice. I'm under the impression that the py.test main authors do not like it (I do not like it either, so that may colour my own perception), so you might run into some problems or rough edges as you go forward.