Testing React Components: Switching from Enzyme to React Testing

If you have been doing React testing for many years, you must be using Enzyme and Jest. An enzyme is a component mounting library while Jest is a de-facto test runner for applications based on React. The enzyme uses JSDom or DOM API that can be used as a browser for components that are fully mounted. 

Although there are various testing tools used by the testers, the main issue arises when you have to choose the best. Moving from Enzyme to React Testing depends on considering different parameters. Suppose, you have to test your JavaScript code, you might want to choose ReactJs testing Services for a better outcome. This is because testing with React has some powerful features. It has a sync testing that would be done in less time when compared to testing via Enzyme. 

There may be debugging issues in events, rendering, and components lifestyle that may arise if you are doing white box testing. However, this was the issue arising in Enzyme. In React testing, there is a de-facto solution, DOM testing Library along with React Testing Library API.

What to expect from this blog?

  • What is DOM testing Library?
  • Some Key Considerations for React Components Testing Tools
  • Migrating testing from Enzyme to React
  • Wrapping Up
  • What is DOM testing Library?

    The DOM testing library forms the basis for testing APIs. In React testing, this library is extended and all tools are incorporated. Along with these, documentation is also provided that makes the testing process easier.

    You can also perform your testing when your tests are browser users through DOM API. Therefore, it is regarded as a comprehensive testing library. Your tests will be interacting with the DOM which will make testing convenient.

    Some Key Considerations for React Components Testing Tools

    Developers are having a different mindset and want to adopt a different strategy in testing React components. Furthermore, they also want to discover a better way of debugging events and other things. This adds to the confidence level in the software testing stage. 

    When moving from Enzyme to React testing, the fundamental difference is in the structure of the test. In React testing, developers can conveniently write the tests that express how the application is being used by the different users. While using ReactJS Library Services, you will analyze whether your application is interacting with the interface of that application or not. 

    While writing tests using Enzyme, you can get the same experience. However, it may be more complex and the test structure that is built will be based on the user’s requirement. In Enzyme testing, you are going to test props and different states of the components. It means that you are testing the component’s internal behavior. This will in turn analyze whether the end-user is getting the right view of the component or not. This makes testing with Enzyme a bit more cumbersome than testing with React. 

    Migrating testing from Enzyme to React

    When you have to migrate testing from Enzyme to React testing, then the approach is more straightforward. The creator of React Testing Library, Kent C Dodds developed an ultimate guide that can be useful for the developers who want to switch from Enzyme to React testing. This incorporates all the installation steps that are necessary and how to adapt to the test change.

    Wrapping Up

    We hope that this article gave you clarity on reactjs website development and an understanding of why you must be moving from Enzyme to React for testing. However, in the software testing world, it depends on your tests and what you want to test. Every tool has some pros and cons of its own. 

  • React testing library makes the testing easier.
  • React testing library uses JEST, DOM, and other methods for querying that help in testing
  • React testing has some limitations as well. It does not access the component state. In case, you need this you can use Enzyme for this.
  • FAQs

    How do you add Enzymes in React?

    There are various steps to add Enzymes in React:

  • You have to add dependencies
  • Then, add enzyme adapter for React
  • Make a connection with the Setup test.
  • Then, you can add and run different tests.
  • What are Enzyme and Jest?

    Enzyme refers to a testing library that uses react in DOM and then questions the DOM trees. Jest is a framework used for testing and uses a test runner, mocking support, and assertion library. Enzyme testing can be used within Jest. Enzyme and Jest come as complimentary in testing. 

    How do you use Enzyme in React 17?

    In React 17 version, you can make use of adapter for enzyme.
    // src/setupTests. js import { configure } from ‘enzyme’; import Adapter from ‘@wojtekmaj/enzyme-adapter-react-17’; configure({ adapter: new Adapter() });