Initializing help system before first use

# Testing an Insight Python Model

You can use the `xpressinsight` test mode to set up manual or automated tests of your Python code outside Xpress Insight.

Important: Do not activate test mode when running your application within Xpress Insight. Test mode should only be used in an external, non-production environment outside Insight.

Testing your Python code involves simulating user-interface (UI) interactions using functions in the `xpressinsight` package along with the `data_connector` property. You can run these tests manually or automate them using the `pytest` framework.

To set up test mode during the development of a Python Insight app:

1. Use the `xpressinsight.create_app` function to create a test environment within the `__main__` function:

       if __name__ == "__main__":
           app = xi.create_app(InsightApp)
           sys.exit(app.call_exec_modes(["LOAD", "RUN"]))

   This code automatically configures temporary working directories and returns a new `InsightApp` instance. (You can also configure the test environment manually using the `AppInterface` classes and methods.)

2. Use the `data_connector` property to apply modified entity values between execution modes by calling its `save_input()` method. This example sets and applies an entity value before calling the `RUN` execution mode:

       if __name__ == "__main__":
           app = xi.create_app(InsightApp)
           app.call_exec_modes("LOAD")

           # Simulate UI behaviour
           app.InputEntity = 0.2
           app.data_connector.save_input()
           app.call_exec_mode('RUN')

   This process simulates the behavior of a UI user, making it possible to run different scenarios of values assigned to entities outside Xpress Insight.

Covered Topics

- Setting Up Unit Tests Using the Pytest Framework
- Parameterized Unit Testing Using Pytest

Parent Topic Advanced Topics

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