Pester
Pester is an open-source PowerShell testing framework for authoring and running automated tests of commands, scripts, and functions.
Practical Automation with PowerShell: Effective scripting from the console to the cloud
Pester is a PowerShell testing framework for writing and running repeatable tests, including tests with mocked command behavior.
- How it is used
- Protects reusable PowerShell functions and modules from regressions while they are changed or extended.
- How deep it goes
- Explains suite keywords, setup scope, assertions, mocks, local tests, batch invocation, and result configuration without detailing Pester internals.
- Examples
- Demonstrates Boolean assertions, Get-HotFixStatus hotfix checks, and mocked Get-SystemInfo data exported and imported through CLIXML.
- What you can do after
- Apply it via Pester to organize tests, assert expected outcomes, mock command returns, run test files, and export results.
Learn PowerShell Scripting in a Month of Lunches, Second Edition: Write and organize scripts and tools
Pester is a PowerShell testing framework for authoring and running automated tests of commands, scripts, and functions.
- How it is used
- Automates repeatable tests for PowerShell commands, scripts, and functions before changes or unusual conditions reach production.
- How deep it goes
- Explains fixtures, assertions, mocks, invocation scopes, and coverage, but stops short of comprehensive integration testing and advanced features.
- Examples
- Uses a Set-ComputerState fixture to test restart, shutdown, force, multiple inputs, pipeline input, mocks, call counts, and coverage.
- What you can do after
- Apply it via Pester to build fixtures, isolate side effects with mocks, run tests, verify calls, and locate missed code paths.
Related concepts
- PowerShelluses · PowerShell is Microsoft's cross-platform command shell and scripting language for administering computer systems and automating tasks.
- mockinguses · Mocking is a testing technique that replaces a real dependency with a controlled substitute to simulate behavior or inspect interactions.
- workflow definitionused by · A workflow definition is a declarative specification of an automated process’s tasks, their order or dependencies, and the conditions governing execution.
- Install-Moduleused by · Install-Module is a PowerShell cmdlet that downloads and installs modules from a module or package repository.
- test automation frameworkkind of · A test automation framework is software infrastructure that provides conventions and facilities for defining, organizing, executing, and evaluating automated tests.
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