Monkeypatch

Definition

Dynamically replacing a method or attribute at runtime — common in testing to override system or library behaviour.

Example in context

"In the test, monkeypatch requests.get to return a fake response — no actual HTTP calls during unit testing."

Related terms

• Mock — A fake object replacing a real dependency in tests, with configurable return values and call verification.
• Stub — A simplified replacement for a real object that returns predefined responses — simpler than a mock, no verification.
• Unit test — A test that verifies a single function or module in isolation, without involving external systems.