Fixing Python Poetry’s Default Test Issue: Why Your Setup Isn’t Working

Struggling with Python Poetry’s default test on macOS? Discover how to resolve the issue of outdated dependencies and get your testing back on track.
---
This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/72165245/ asked by the user 'barryred' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/119145/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/72190733/ provided by the user 'finswimmer' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/9750706/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Python Poetry's default test not working for me

Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/l...
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license.

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Fixing Python Poetry’s Default Test Issue: Why Your Setup Isn’t Working

If you're diving into Python development with Poetry and running into issues, you're not alone. A common problem for new users is finding that the default test suite generated by Poetry isn't functioning as expected, leading to confusion and frustration. In this post, we’ll explore the issue, understand what’s happening behind the scenes, and guide you through the steps to solve it.

The Problem

When attempting to set up a new Poetry project, you may follow the usual steps to create a project and run tests, only to encounter error messages that can leave you scratching your head. For example, you're greeted with errors like:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This can be particularly puzzling if you feel everything else is set up correctly, especially considering that your system is running the latest version of Python and Poetry.

Understanding the Issue

The root of the problem lies in the version of pytest that Poetry installs by default when you create a new project. At the time of the installation, the included version of pytest may be outdated and not compatible with the current version of Python you are using—specifically, Python 3.10 and above. As a result, running your tests will lead to errors.

Solution Steps

To resolve this issue, you'll want to update the pytest package to the latest version. Here’s how you can do that, step-by-step:

Step 1: Add Latest Pytest Version

Open your terminal

Navigate to your project directory (where your pyproject.toml file resides)

Run the following command to add the latest version of pytest:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Verify Your Setup

After you have updated pytest, it's important to check that your setup is correct. You can list your project’s dependencies by running:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

You should see the latest version of pytest listed in your dependencies.

Step 3: Run Your Tests Again

Once you've updated pytest, try running your tests again:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Your tests should run smoothly this time without any dependency-related errors.

Looking Ahead

Be aware that starting from Poetry version 1.2, the tool will no longer include default dependencies when initializing a project with poetry new. This means that future installations will require you to specify your dependencies right from the start, so keep an eye on your project needs moving forward.

Conclusion

In summary, if you encounter any issues with default tests in Poetry on your macOS setup, the likely culprit is an outdated pytest package. Simply updating it to the latest version can resolve the problem and get your testing back on track. Happy coding!