unit test runs with python but fails with nosetests

Question

I have written a python file containing some unit tests (testfile.py).

When I run 'python testfile.py' the tests run fine and there are no errors.

But when I run 'nosetests testfile.py', I get a TypeError of the form TypeError: func_name() takes exactly 3 arguments (1 given).

Can you please help me understand what might be going on and how can I modify the python file so that it can be run using both python and nosetests. Thanks in advance, Ambarish.

Answer 1

Yeah, you're getting hung on how discovery works differently on the different tools. It trips me up all the time. Go into the directory with your tests and do:

$ nosetests testfile

(no .py on the end of testfile)

You can also use the python unittest module:

$ python -m unittest testfile

Answer 2

I figured out what the problem was. I had a non-test function which included 'test' in its name even it id did not start with 'test_', as a result of which it was treated as a test function by nose. When I modified the name of the function, the problem was solved.