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Mock Object Example - Database

publish date: 2026/06/17 05:25:32.075603 UTC

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A development team is unit testing a class that calls a database to retrieve customer records. The database setup takes 30 seconds each test run. They decide to use a mock object. What would the mock object database typically contain?

A file system copy of the database that is read directly from disk

An automated query generator that creates random SQL statements

A complete copy of the production database with all real customer records

Only a few data items organized in an array, accessible quickly without database overhead

Correct Answer

Only a few data items organized in an array, accessible quickly without database overhead

Explanation

A mock object simulating a database may have only a few data items organized in an array. They can be accessed quickly without the overheads of calling a real database and accessing disks. This dramatically speeds up test execution while maintaining the same interface as the real database object.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition

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