Xdist

Xdist is a Python library designed to facilitate distributed testing. It allows users to run Python tests across multiple machines or processes simultaneously. This is particularly useful for accelerating test execution time, especially in projects with large test suites. Xdist achieves this by distributing test collection and execution to a configurable number of worker nodes.

The primary benefit of Xdist is its ability to significantly reduce the overall time spent on running tests. By leveraging parallel processing, it can complete tests much faster than a single-process execution. It integrates seamlessly with popular testing frameworks like pytest, extending their capabilities. Users can typically enable Xdist with a simple command-line flag.

Configuration options for Xdist include specifying the number of workers, the type of distribution (e.g., load balancing), and how workers are managed. It supports various worker setups, including local processes and remote machines accessible via SSH. Error handling and reporting are also features, ensuring that test failures are still properly logged and analyzed even in a distributed environment. Xdist aims to simplify the process of parallel testing for Python developers.