Test a controller with success() and error ()

Question

I\'m trying to work out the best way to unit test success and error callbacks in controllers. I am able to mock out service methods, as long as the controller only uses the defa

Answer 1

Yes, do not use $httpbackend in your controller, because we don't need to make real requests, you just need to make sure that one unit is doing it's job exactly as expected, have a look on this simple controller tests, it's easy to understand

/**
 * @description Tests for adminEmployeeCtrl controller
 */
(function () {

    "use strict";

    describe('Controller: adminEmployeeCtrl ', function () {

        /* jshint -W109 */
        var $q, $scope, $controller;
        var empService;
        var errorResponse = 'Not found';


        var employeesResponse = [
            {id:1,name:'mohammed' },
            {id:2,name:'ramadan' }
        ];

        beforeEach(module(
            'loadRequiredModules'
        ));

        beforeEach(inject(function (_$q_,
                                    _$controller_,
                                    _$rootScope_,
                                    _empService_) {
            $q = _$q_;
            $controller = _$controller_;
            $scope = _$rootScope_.$new();
            empService = _empService_;
        }));

        function successSpies(){

            spyOn(empService, 'findEmployee').and.callFake(function () {
                var deferred = $q.defer();
                deferred.resolve(employeesResponse);
                return deferred.promise;
                // shortcut can be one line
                // return $q.resolve(employeesResponse);
            });
        }

        function rejectedSpies(){
            spyOn(empService, 'findEmployee').and.callFake(function () {
                var deferred = $q.defer();
                deferred.reject(errorResponse);
                return deferred.promise;
                // shortcut can be one line
                // return $q.reject(errorResponse);
            });
        }

        function initController(){

            $controller('adminEmployeeCtrl', {
                $scope: $scope,
                empService: empService
            });
        }


        describe('Success controller initialization', function(){

            beforeEach(function(){

                successSpies();
                initController();
            });

            it('should findData by calling findEmployee',function(){
                $scope.findData();
                // calling $apply to resolve deferred promises we made in the spies
                $scope.$apply();
                expect($scope.loadingEmployee).toEqual(false);
                expect($scope.allEmployees).toEqual(employeesResponse);
            });
        });

        describe('handle controller initialization errors', function(){

            beforeEach(function(){

                rejectedSpies();
                initController();
            });

            it('should handle error when calling findEmployee', function(){
                $scope.findData();
                $scope.$apply();
                // your error expectations
            });
        });
    });
}());