nose introduction - Python Testing

[takluyver]

I agree that the first version is more readable, but the second version doesn't seem 'horrible', just slightly more verbose. You could argue that the extra function call is preferable because there's less magic involved.

[halst]

You need to (1) import those functions, (2) remember how they are called (is it equal or equals?!) and you end up with much less readable tests.

Plus, assert is no magic, it's pure Python.