mockprecise

Mockprecise is a term used in software testing to describe an approach or toolset for creating precise, deterministic mocks of external services. It emphasizes reproducing external interactions exactly as they occurred, enabling repeatable tests and reliable failure reproduction across environments.

Key characteristics include deterministic replay, control over timing and latency, and support for stateful behavior and data-driven configurations. Mockprecise systems often record a session of real interactions and then replay them during tests, with optional parameterization to explore different inputs and fault injections to model error conditions.

Implementation can take the form of a testing library integrated into the codebase or a standalone service that sits between the component under test and its dependencies. Users define interaction contracts, capture sessions, and specify how to match incoming requests to recorded responses, as well as how to handle unknown requests or drift.

Applications include API clients, microservices, payment gateways, and third-party integrations. By providing deterministic results, mockprecise helps reduce flakiness, speed up test suites, and improve regression detection.

Limitations include ongoing maintenance of mock datasets to reflect legitimate changes in external services, the risk of drift from real behavior, and the possibility of over-parameterizing tests. It is often used alongside contract testing and service virtualization rather than as a complete replacement for live-service testing.

See also: Mock objects, Contract testing, Service virtualization, Stubbing.