Learn PHPUnit and Laravel Feature Testing for Real Workflows
Choose a useful test boundary
Unit tests are appropriate for isolated rules; feature tests verify a complete Laravel request and its database effects. Use factories and isolated database state to keep tests repeatable. Avoid assertions that only check implementation details likely to change without affecting behavior.
Cover boundaries and failures
Test valid requests alongside missing, malformed, and out-of-range data. Include unauthenticated and unauthorized cases. For a transactional workflow, verify that a rejected operation leaves related records unchanged.
Keep the suite understandable
Name tests after observable behavior and use explicit assertions. Fake external mail, queues, or storage when the test is about application decisions rather than the external system. Run focused tests during development and broader checks before release.
Practice task
Write tests for an order workflow covering a successful purchase, invalid quantity, insufficient inventory, repeated submission, and an unauthorized account.