Laravel 5.8 testing settings record from database - php

Question

I am new to writing tests and I was wondering if what I am doing here is correct.
Basically I wanna write a test to check if the settings are correct but I use a record straight from my database.
Everything works great but I was wondering what if my database is empty? This test will never work
So what is best practice here?
my test:
/** #test */
public function settings_for_ftp_flysytem_is_correct_test()
{
$clientSettings = Client::where('category', 'ftp')->first()->settings()->get();
$this->assertArrayHasKey('host', $clientSettings);
$this->assertArrayHasKey('username', $clientSettings);
$this->assertArrayHasKey('password', $clientSettings);
$this->assertArrayHasKey('port', $clientSettings);
$this->assertArrayHasKey('root', $clientSettings);
}

Answer 1

I reckon the easiest solution is to use DatabaseTransactions trait and model factories. It is always a good idea to generate test data for every test case.
<?php
// ClientFactory.php
use Faker\Generator;
$factory::define(App\Setting::class, function (Generator $faker) {
return [...];
});
<?php
// SettingFactory.php
use Faker\Generator;
$factory::define(App\Setting::class, function (Generator $faker) {
return [...];
});
use Tests\TestCase;
use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\DatabaseTransactions;
use App\Client;
use App\Setting;
class SettingsTest extends TestCase
{
use DatabaseTransactions;
public function test_client_has_settings()
{
// 1. Arrange.
$client = factory(Client::class)->create();
$settings = factory(Setting::class, 2)->create();
$client->settings()->saveMany($settings);
// 2. Act.
$response = $this->getJson("/clients/{$client->id}/settings");
// 3. Assert.
$response->assertJson([...]);
}
}
The above code is an example. For more info, pls check the following resources:Laravel Docs, Build a Forum with Laravel, Test-Driven Laravel.