Rspec stubbing method for only specific arguments

Question

Is there a way to stub method for only specific arguments. Something like this

boss.stub(:fire!).with(employee1).and_return(true)

If any other employee is passed to boss.fire! method, I'll get boss received unexpected message error, but what I would really like is just to override the method for specific argument, and leave it be for all others.

Any ideas how this can be done?

Trescott

Answer 1

You can add a default stub for the fire! method which will call original implementation:

boss.stub(:fire!).and_call_original
boss.stub(:fire!).with(employee1).and_return(true)

Rspec 3 Syntax (@pk-nb)

allow(boss).to receive(:fire!).and_call_original
allow(boss).to receive(:fire!).with(employee1).and_return(true)

Grueling

Same thing with RSpec 3 syntax: allow(boss).to receive(:fire!).and_call_original allow(boss).to receive(:fire!).with(employee1).and_return(true) – Faubert

Note that, you cannot combine one generic allow with one specific expect. – Robedechambre

Answer 2

You can try write your own stubbing method, with code like this

fire_method = boss.method(:fire!)
boss.stub!(:fire!) do |employee|  
  if employee == employee1
    true
  else
    fire_method.call(*args)
  end
end

Nahuatlan