Install Hypothesis in Python Step by Step

Hypothesis is a powerful Python library for property-based testing. It helps you write better tests with less code. This guide will show you how to install it.

Prerequisites for Installing Hypothesis

Before installing Hypothesis, ensure you have Python installed. You can check by running python --version in your terminal.

 
# Check Python version
python --version

Python 3.9.7

If you get a ModuleNotFoundError, refer to our guide on solving Python module errors.

Step 1: Install Hypothesis Using pip

The easiest way to install Hypothesis is using pip, Python's package manager. Run this command in your terminal.

 
pip install hypothesis

This will download and install the latest version of Hypothesis.

Step 2: Verify the Installation

After installation, verify Hypothesis is installed correctly. Run Python in your terminal and try importing it.

 
# Verify installation
import hypothesis
print(hypothesis.__version__)

6.54.6

If you see a version number, Hypothesis is installed correctly.

Step 3: Write a Simple Hypothesis Test

Let's write a simple test to ensure Hypothesis works. Create a file named test_example.py.

 
from hypothesis import given
from hypothesis.strategies import integers

@given(integers())
def test_addition_is_commutative(x):
    assert x + 1 == 1 + x

This test checks if addition is commutative for integers.

Step 4: Run Your Hypothesis Test

Run the test using pytest. Install pytest first if you don't have it.

 
pip install pytest
pytest test_example.py

Hypothesis will generate many test cases automatically.

Common Installation Issues

If you face issues, try these solutions:

1. Upgrade pip first: pip install --upgrade pip

2. Use a virtual environment to avoid conflicts.

3. Check your Python version matches Hypothesis requirements.

Conclusion

Installing Hypothesis in Python is simple with pip. Verify the installation and write your first property-based test. Hypothesis helps you find edge cases and write robust code.

For more advanced usage, explore the official Hypothesis documentation.