# Help

## Running the tests

We use [pytest][pytest: Getting Started Guide] as our website test runner.
You will need to install `pytest` on your development machine if you want to run tests for the Python track locally.
You should also install the following `pytest` plugins:

- [pytest-cache][pytest-cache]
- [pytest-subtests][pytest-subtests]

Extended information can be found in our website [Python testing guide][Python track tests page].


### Running Tests

To run the included tests, navigate to the folder where the exercise is stored using `cd` in your terminal (_replace `{exercise-folder-location}` below with your path_).
Test files usually end in `_test.py`, and are the same tests that run on the website when a solution is uploaded.

Linux/MacOS
```bash
$ cd {path/to/exercise-folder-location}
```

Windows
```powershell
PS C:\Users\foobar> cd {path\to\exercise-folder-location}
```

<br>

Next, run the `pytest` command in your terminal, replacing `{exercise_test.py}` with the name of the test file:

Linux/MacOS
```bash
$ python3 -m pytest -o markers=task {exercise_test.py}
==================== 7 passed in 0.08s ====================
```

Windows
```powershell
PS C:\Users\foobar> py -m pytest -o markers=task {exercise_test.py}
==================== 7 passed in 0.08s ====================
```


### Common options
- `-o` : override default `pytest.ini` (_you can use this to avoid marker warnings_)
- `-v` : enable verbose output.
- `-x` : stop running tests on first failure.
- `--ff` : run failures from previous test before running other test cases.

For additional options, use `python3 -m pytest -h` or `py -m pytest -h`.


### Fixing warnings

If you do not use `pytest -o markers=task` when invoking `pytest`, you might receive a `PytestUnknownMarkWarning` for tests that use our new syntax:

```bash
PytestUnknownMarkWarning: Unknown pytest.mark.task - is this a typo?  You can register custom marks to avoid this warning - for details, see https://docs.pytest.org/en/stable/mark.html
```

To avoid typing `pytest -o markers=task` for every test you run, you can use a `pytest.ini` configuration file.
We have made one that can be downloaded from the top level of the Python track directory: [pytest.ini][pytest.ini].

You can also create your own `pytest.ini` file with the following content:

```ini
[pytest]
markers =
    task: A concept exercise task.
```

Placing the `pytest.ini` file in the _root_ or _working_ directory for your Python track exercises will register the marks and stop the warnings.
More information on pytest marks can be found in the `pytest` documentation on [marking test functions][pytest: marking test functions with attributes] and the `pytest` documentation on [working with custom markers][pytest: working with custom markers].

Information on customizing pytest configurations can be found in the `pytest` documentation on [configuration file formats][pytest: configuration file formats].


### Extending your IDE or Code Editor

Many IDEs and code editors have built-in support for using `pytest` and other code quality tools.
Some community-sourced options can be found on our [Python track tools page][Python track tools page].

[Pytest: Getting Started Guide]: https://docs.pytest.org/en/latest/getting-started.html
[Python track tools page]: https://exercism.org/docs/tracks/python/tools
[Python track tests page]: https://exercism.org/docs/tracks/python/tests
[pytest-cache]:http://pythonhosted.org/pytest-cache/
[pytest-subtests]:https://github.com/pytest-dev/pytest-subtests
[pytest.ini]: https://github.com/exercism/python/blob/main/pytest.ini
[pytest: configuration file formats]: https://docs.pytest.org/en/6.2.x/customize.html#configuration-file-formats
[pytest: marking test functions with attributes]: https://docs.pytest.org/en/6.2.x/mark.html#raising-errors-on-unknown-marks
[pytest: working with custom markers]: https://docs.pytest.org/en/6.2.x/example/markers.html#working-with-custom-markers

## Submitting your solution

You can submit your solution using the `exercism submit collatz_conjecture.py` command.
This command will upload your solution to the Exercism website and print the solution page's URL.

It's possible to submit an incomplete solution which allows you to:

- See how others have completed the exercise
- Request help from a mentor

## Need to get help?

If you'd like help solving the exercise, check the following pages:

- The [Python track's documentation](https://exercism.org/docs/tracks/python)
- The [Python track's programming category on the forum](https://forum.exercism.org/c/programming/python)
- [Exercism's programming category on the forum](https://forum.exercism.org/c/programming/5)
- The [Frequently Asked Questions](https://exercism.org/docs/using/faqs)

Should those resources not suffice, you could submit your (incomplete) solution to request mentoring.

Below are some resources for getting help if you run into trouble:

- [The PSF](https://www.python.org) hosts Python downloads, documentation, and community resources.
- [The Exercism Community on Discord](https://exercism.org/r/discord)
- [Python Community on Discord](https://pythondiscord.com/) is a very helpful and active community.
- [/r/learnpython/](https://www.reddit.com/r/learnpython/) is a subreddit designed for Python learners.
- [#python on Libera.chat](https://www.python.org/community/irc/) this is where the core developers for the language hang out and get work done.
- [Python Community Forums](https://discuss.python.org/)
- [Free Code Camp Community Forums](https://forum.freecodecamp.org/)
- [CodeNewbie Community Help Tag](https://community.codenewbie.org/t/help)
- [Pythontutor](http://pythontutor.com/) for stepping through small code snippets visually.

Additionally, [StackOverflow](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/python) is a good spot to search for your problem/question to see if it has been answered already.
 If not - you can always [ask](https://stackoverflow.com/help/how-to-ask) or [answer](https://stackoverflow.com/help/how-to-answer) someone else's question.