What Is Mocha JS?

As a robust client-side programming language, JavaScript helps developers to create responsive web applications that look good on both large and small devices. Many programmers even use cross-platform server-side frameworks like NodeJS to write server-side code in JavaScript. The developers can accelerate JavaScript application development and web application testing by using a number of NodeJS modules, packages, and frameworks. Many web developers and testing professionals ask us “what is Mocha js”. Mocha JS is an open source JavaScript testing framework which runs on NodeJS. Despite being designed as an easy-to-use testing framework, Mocha simplifies JavaScript application testing by providing a number of robust features. In addition to supporting asynchronous testing, Mocha supports major web browsers and is compatible with several JavaScript libraries. These features further make Mocha different from other JavaScript testing frameworks.

What Is Mocha JS? Why It Is Different from Other JavaScript Testing Frameworks

Various Methods of Installation

The QA professionals can install and use Mocha JS in a number of ways according to project needs. While using the testing framework for NodeJS, they have option to install Mocha either locally or globally by running specific commands. Also, they can run specific commands to set up Mocha in the client-side and run tests directly in the web browser.

Supports Asynchronous Testing

Unlike other JavaScript testing frameworks, Mocha JS supports asynchronous testing. It is further designed with features to simplify asynchronous code testing. Mocha requires testers to invoke the callback once the test is completed. Mocha completes the test only when the callback is invoked. The testers can further accelerate synchronous testing by omitting the callback. The most recent version of Mocha even allows users to write asynchronous code using async/await.

Provides a Variety of Reporters

While using Mocha, the developers have option to choose from a wide range of reporters. But Mocha reporters adjusts to fit the terminal widow. The default Mocha reporter displays the output based on the hierarchy of test cases. However, the testing professionals also have option to choose Mocha reporters like dot matrix, nyan, tap, landing strip, list, progress and JSON. The varying Mocha reporters help testing professionals to monitor test case executions and check the output.

Runs in the Web Browser

Mocha JS is compatible with almost all major web browsers. Hence, testing professionals can run Mocha seamlessly on several widely used web browsers. Each new version of Mocha further provides upgraded JavaScript and CSS build for various web browsers. At the same time, the testing professionals also have option to use browser-specific methods and options.

Compatible with Several JavaScript Assertion Libraries

As an open source testing framework, Mocha helps testers to curtail JavaScript application testing cost. Also, the developers can accelerate JavaScript application testing by integrating Mocha with a number of JavaScript assertion libraries – Express.js, Should.js, Chai, Unexpected and Better-Assert. Each of these assertion libraries makes it easier for testing professionals to lengthy and complex code. The testers can further use the JavaScript assertion library to check if things are correct.

Works in both TDD and BDD Environments

There are a number of enterprises that opt for behaviour driven development (BDD) to write high quality test cases. At the same time, many enterprises also opt for test driven development (TDD) to enhance test coverage by allowing testers to write and run tests at a time. Unlike conventional JavaScript testing frameworks, Mocha supports both BDD and TDD. Hence, the testing professionals can use Mocha to test JavaScript applications in both TDD and BDD environments.

On the whole, Mocha JS comes with features to simplify JavaScript application testing. The software QA testing professionals can integrate Mocha with a number of JavaScript libraries to accelerate testing of large and complex web applications. Also, Mocha has been evolving consistently to enable testers to evaluate a wide variety of JavaScript applications.