Preparing to Use Mocha Test Framework

This feature is supported in the Ultimate edition only.

On this page:

• Introduction
• Preparing to install the Mocha test framework
• Installing Mocha globally
• Installing Mocha in a project

Introduction

The Mocha test framework supports executing unit tests against the Node.js server. The tests themselves can use BDD, TDD, Exports, and QUnit interfaces.

The easiest way to install the Mocha test framework is to use the Node Package Manager (npm), which is a part of Node.js. See Installing and Removing External Software Using Node Package Manager for details.

Depending on the desired location of the Mocha test framework executable file, choose one of the following methods:

• Install the test framework globally at the IntelliJ IDEA level so it can be used in any IntelliJ IDEA project.
• Install the test framework in a specific project and thus restrict its use to this project.
• Install the test framework in a project as a development dependency.

In either installation mode, make sure that the parent folder of the Mocha test framework is added to the PATH variable. This enables you to launch the test framework from any folder.

IntelliJ IDEA provides user interface both for global and project installation as well as supports installation through the command line.

Preparing to install the Mocha test framework

1. Download and install Node.js. The runtime environment is required for two reasons:
   • The Mocha test framework is started through Node.js.
   • NPM, which is a part of the runtime environment, is also the easiest way to download the Mocha test framework.

   If you are going to use the command line mode, make sure the path to the parent folder of the Node.js executable file and the path to the npm folder are added to the PATH variable. This enables you to launch the Mocha test framework and npm from any folder.

2. Install and enable the NodeJS repository plugin as described in Installing, Updating and Uninstalling Repository Plugins and Enabling and Disabling Plugins.

Installing Mocha globally

Global installation makes a test framework available at the IntelliJ IDEA level so it can be used in any IntelliJ IDEA project. Moreover, during installation the parent folder of the test framework is automatically added to the PATH variable, which enables you to launch the test framework from any folder. To install the test framework globally, do one of the following:

• Run the installation from the command line in the global mode:
  1. Launch the embedded Terminal by hovering your mouse pointer over in the lower left corner of IntelliJ IDEA and choosing Terminal from the menu (see Working with Embedded Local Terminal for details).
  2. Switch to the directory where NPM is stored or define a PATH variable for it so it is available from any folder, see Installing NodeJs.
  3. Type the following command at the command line prompt:
     npm install -g mocha

     The -g key makes the test framework run in the global mode. Because the installation is performed through NPM, the Mocha test framework is installed in the npm folder. Make sure this parent folder is added to the PATH variable. This enables you to launch the test framework from any folder.

     For more details on the NPM operation modes, see npm documentation. For more information about installing the Mocha test framework, see https://npmjs.org/package/mocha.

• Run NPM from IntelliJ IDEA using the Node.js and NPM page of the Settings dialog box.
  1. Open the Settings / Preferences Dialog by pressing Ctrl+Alt+S or by choosing File | Settings for Windows and Linux or IntelliJ IDEA | Preferences for OS X, and click Node.js and NPM under Languages&Frameworks.
  2. On the Node.js and NPM page that opens, the Packages area shows all the Node.js-dependent packages that are currently installed on your computer, both at the global and at the project level. Click .
  3. In the Available Packages dialog box that opens, select the required package to install.
  4. Select the Options check box and type -g in the text box next to it.
  5. Optionally specify the product version and click Install Package to start installation.

Installing Mocha in a project

Installing a test framework in a specific project restricts its use to this project. To run project installation, do one of the following:

• Run the installation from the command line:
  1. Launch the embedded Terminal by hovering your mouse pointer over in the lower left corner of IntelliJ IDEA and choosing Terminal from the menu (see Working with Embedded Local Terminal for details).
  2. Switch to the project root folder and type the following command at the command line prompt:
     npm install mocha
• Run NPM from IntelliJ IDEA using the Node.js and NPM page of the Settings dialog box.
  1. Open the Settings / Preferences Dialog by pressing Ctrl+Alt+S or by choosing File | Settings for Windows and Linux or IntelliJ IDEA | Preferences for OS X, and click Node.js and NPM under Languages & Frameworks.
  2. On the Node.js and NPM page that opens, the Packages area shows all the Node.js-dependent packages that are currently installed on your computer, both at the global and at the project level. Click .
  3. In the Available Packages dialog box that opens, select the required package.
  4. Optionally specify the product version and click Install Package to start installation.

Project level installation is helpful and reliable in template-based projects of the type Node Boilerplate or Node.js Express, which already have the node_modules folder. The latter is important because NPM installs the Mocha test framework in a node_modules folder. If your project already contains such folder, the Mocha test framework is installed there.

Projects of other types or empty projects may not have a node_modules folder. In this case npm goes upwards in the folder tree and installs the Mocha test framework in the first detected node_modules folder. Keep in mind that this detected node_modules folder may be outside your current project root.

Finally, if no node_modules folder is detected in the folder tree either, the folder is created right under the current project root and the Mocha test framework is installed there.

In either case, make sure that the parent folder of the Mocha test framework is added to the PATH variable. This enables you to launch the test framework from any folder.