refactor: Rename exposed fixtures and pytest options

.github/workflows/extremes.yml

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "$DEPS" | grep 'duckdb==1.1'
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --constructors=pandas,pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],duckdb
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends=pandas,pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],duckdb
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=50
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "$DEPS" | grep 'duckdb==1.2'
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --constructors=pandas,pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],duckdb
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends=pandas,pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],duckdb
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=50
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "$DEPS" | grep 'duckdb==1.3'
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --constructors=pandas,pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],dask,duckdb
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends=pandas,pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],dask,duckdb
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=50 
 
@@ -185,6 +185,6 @@ jobs:
           echo "$DEPS" | grep 'dask.*@'
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --constructors=pandas,pandas[nullable],pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],dask,duckdb
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends=pandas,pandas[nullable],pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],dask,duckdb
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=50

.github/workflows/pytest-ibis.yml

@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: show-deps
         run: uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest
-        run: pytest tests --constructors ibis
+        run: pytest tests --nw-backends ibis

.github/workflows/pytest-modin.yml

@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: show-deps
         run: uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest
-        run: pytest tests --constructors modin[pyarrow]
+        run: pytest tests --nw-backends modin[pyarrow]

.github/workflows/pytest-pyspark.yml

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ jobs:
         run: uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --constructors pyspark
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends pyspark
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=95 --include "narwhals/_spark_like/*"
 
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: show-deps
         run: uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest
-        run: pytest tests --constructors pyspark
+        run: pytest tests --nw-backends pyspark
 
   pytest-pyspark-connect-constructor:
     strategy:
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --constructors "pyspark[connect]"
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends "pyspark[connect]"
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=95 --include="narwhals/_spark_like/*"
 

.github/workflows/pytest.yml

@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ jobs:
           COVERAGE_PATCH_EXECV: ${{ matrix.os == 'windows-latest' && 'subprocess' || 'execv' }}
           COVERAGE_PATCH_FORK: ${{ matrix.os == 'windows-latest' && 'subprocess' || 'fork' }}
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --constructors=pandas,pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy]
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --nw-backends=pandas,pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy]
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=75
       - name: install-test-plugin
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ jobs:
         run: uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --constructors=pandas,pandas[nullable],pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],duckdb,sqlframe --durations=30
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends=pandas,pandas[nullable],pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],duckdb,sqlframe --durations=30
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=95
 
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ jobs:
         run: uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --constructors=pandas,pandas[nullable],pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],dask,duckdb,sqlframe --durations=30
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends=pandas,pandas[nullable],pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],dask,duckdb,sqlframe --durations=30
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=100
       - name: Run doctests
@@ -139,20 +139,20 @@ jobs:
           uv pip install -e ".[pandas]" --group tests
           uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest (pandas and pandas[nullable])
-        run: pytest tests --runslow --constructors=pandas,pandas[nullable]
+        run: pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends=pandas,pandas[nullable]
       - name: install-more-reqs
         run: |
           uv pip install -U pyarrow
           uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest (pandas[pyarrow] and pyarrow)
-        run: pytest tests --runslow --constructors=pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow
+        run: pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends=pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow
       - name: install-polars
         run: |
           uv pip uninstall pandas pyarrow
           uv pip install polars
           uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest (polars)
-        run: pytest tests --runslow --constructors=polars[eager],polars[lazy]
+        run: pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends=polars[eager],polars[lazy]
 
   python-314:
     strategy:
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ jobs:
         run: uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --constructors=pandas,pandas[nullable],pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],duckdb,sqlframe --durations=30
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --nw-backends=pandas,pandas[nullable],pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy],duckdb,sqlframe --durations=30
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=50
 
@@ -206,6 +206,6 @@ jobs:
         run: uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --durations=30 --constructors=pandas,pandas[nullable],pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow
+          coverage run -m pytest tests --runslow --durations=30 --nw-backends=pandas,pandas[nullable],pandas[pyarrow],pyarrow
           coverage combine
           coverage report --fail-under=50

.github/workflows/random_ci_pytest.yml

@@ -37,6 +37,6 @@ jobs:
         run: uv pip freeze
       - name: Run pytest
         run: |
-            coverage run -m pytest tests --constructors=pandas,pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy]
+            coverage run -m pytest tests --nw-backends=pandas,pyarrow,polars[eager],polars[lazy]
             coverage combine
             coverage report --fail-under=75

Makefile

@@ -49,6 +49,6 @@ test: ## Run unittest
 		--editable .[ibis,modin,pyspark] \
 		--group core \
 		--group tests
-	$(VENV_BIN)/uv run --no-sync coverage run -m pytest tests --all-cpu-constructors --numprocesses=logical
+	$(VENV_BIN)/uv run --no-sync coverage run -m pytest tests --all-nw-backends --numprocesses=logical
 	$(VENV_BIN)/uv run --no-sync coverage combine
 	$(VENV_BIN)/uv run --no-sync coverage report --fail-under=95

docs/api-reference/testing.md

@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 # `narwhals.testing`
 
-## Asserts
+## Assertions
 
 ::: narwhals.testing
     handler: python
     options:
+      show_root_heading: false
+      heading_level: 3
       members:
         - assert_frame_equal
         - assert_series_equal
@@ -18,19 +20,22 @@ to build native frames from a column-oriented python `dict`.
 
 | Fixture | Backends |
 |---|---|
-| `constructor` | every selected backend (eager + lazy) |
-| `constructor_eager` | only eager backends |
+| `nw_frame_constructor` | every selected backend (eager + lazy) |
+| `nw_eager_constructor` | only eager backends |
+| `nw_pandas_like_constructor` | pandas-like backends |
 
-The selection is controlled by two CLI options:
+### Pytest options
 
-* `--constructors=pandas,polars[lazy],duckdb`: comma-separated list.
-    Defaults to [`DEFAULT_CONSTRUCTORS`][narwhals.testing.constructors.DEFAULT_CONSTRUCTORS]
+The backend selection is controlled by the following CLI options:
+
+* `--nw-backends=pandas,polars[lazy],duckdb`: comma-separated list.
+    Defaults to [`DEFAULT_BACKENDS`][narwhals.testing.constructors.DEFAULT_BACKENDS]
     intersected with the backends installed in the current environment.
-* `--all-cpu-constructors`: shortcut for "every CPU backend that is installed".
-* `--use-external-constructor`: Skip narwhals.testing's parametrisation and let
+* `--nw-all-backends`: shortcut for "every **CPU** backend that is installed".
+* `--use-nw-external-constructor`: Skip narwhals.testing's parametrisation and let
     another plugin provide the `constructor*` fixtures.
 
-Set the `NARWHALS_DEFAULT_CONSTRUCTORS` environment variable to override the default
+Set the `NARWHALS_DEFAULT_BACKENDS` environment variable to override the default
 list (useful e.g. when running under `cudf.pandas`).
 
 ### Quick start
@@ -43,30 +48,32 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 import narwhals as nw
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from narwhals.testing.typing import ConstructorEager, Data
+    from narwhals.testing.typing import EagerFrameConstructor, Data
 
 
-def test_shape(constructor_eager: ConstructorEager) -> None:
+def test_shape(nw_eager_constructor: EagerFrameConstructor) -> None:
     data: Data = {"x": [1, 2, 3]}
-    df = nw.from_native(constructor_eager(data), eager_only=True)
+    df = nw.from_native(nw_eager_constructor(data), eager_only=True)
     assert df.shape == (3, 1)
 ```
 
 The fixtures are parametrised against every supported backend that is installed
 in the current environment. Filter the matrix on the command line:
 
 ```bash
-pytest --constructors="pandas,polars[lazy]"
-pytest --all-cpu-constructors
+pytest --nw-backends="pandas,polars[lazy]"
+pytest --all-nw-backends
 ```
 
-### Type aliases
+## Type aliases
 
 ::: narwhals.testing.typing
     handler: python
     options:
+      show_root_heading: false
+      heading_level: 3
       members:
-        - Constructor
-        - ConstructorEager
-        - ConstructorLazy
         - Data
+        - FrameConstructor
+        - EagerFrameConstructor
+        - LazyFrameConstructor

narwhals/testing/constructors.py

@@ -65,12 +65,12 @@ def my_backend_lazy_constructor(obj: Data, /, **kwds: Any) -> IntoLazyFrame:
 
 
 __all__ = (
-    "available_constructors",
-    "available_cpu_constructors",
+    "available_backends",
+    "available_cpu_backends",
     "frame_constructor",
-    "get_constructor",
+    "get_backend_constructor",
     "is_backend_available",
-    "prepare_constructors",
+    "prepare_backends",
     "pyspark_session",
     "sqlframe_session",
 )
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ def ibis_lazy_constructor(obj: Data, /, **kwds: Any) -> ibis.Table:  # pragma: n
     return _ibis_backend().create_table(table_name, table, **kwds)
 
 
-DEFAULT_CONSTRUCTORS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
+DEFAULT_BACKENDS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
     {
         "pandas",
         "pandas[pyarrow]",
@@ -475,30 +475,30 @@ def ibis_lazy_constructor(obj: Data, /, **kwds: Any) -> ibis.Table:  # pragma: n
         "ibis",
     }
 )
-"""Subset of constructors enabled by default for parametrised tests when the
-user does not pass `--constructors` (mirrors the historical Narwhals defaults).
+"""Subset of backends enabled by default for parametrised tests when the
+user does not pass `--nw-backends` (mirrors the historical Narwhals defaults).
 """
 
 
-def available_constructors() -> frozenset[str]:
+def available_backends() -> frozenset[str]:
     """Return the names of every constructor whose backend is importable.
 
     Examples:
-        >>> from narwhals.testing.constructors import available_constructors
-        >>> "pandas" in available_constructors()
+        >>> from narwhals.testing.constructors import available_backends
+        >>> "pandas" in available_backends()
         True
     """
     return frozenset(
         name for name, c in frame_constructor._registry.items() if c.is_available
     )
 
 
-def available_cpu_constructors() -> frozenset[str]:  # pragma: no cover
+def available_cpu_backends() -> frozenset[str]:  # pragma: no cover
     """Return the names of every CPU constructor whose backend is importable.
 
     Examples:
-        >>> from narwhals.testing.constructors import available_cpu_constructors
-        >>> "pandas" in available_cpu_constructors()
+        >>> from narwhals.testing.constructors import available_cpu_backends
+        >>> "pandas" in available_cpu_backends()
         True
     """
     return frozenset(
@@ -524,14 +524,14 @@ def available_cpu_constructors() -> frozenset[str]:  # pragma: no cover
 
 
 @overload
-def get_constructor(name: EagerName) -> frame_constructor[IntoDataFrame]: ...
+def get_backend_constructor(name: EagerName) -> frame_constructor[IntoDataFrame]: ...
 @overload
-def get_constructor(name: LazyName) -> frame_constructor[IntoLazyFrame]: ...
+def get_backend_constructor(name: LazyName) -> frame_constructor[IntoLazyFrame]: ...
 @overload
-def get_constructor(name: str) -> frame_constructor[IntoFrame]: ...
+def get_backend_constructor(name: str) -> frame_constructor[IntoFrame]: ...
 
 
-def get_constructor(name: str) -> frame_constructor[IntoFrame]:
+def get_backend_constructor(name: str) -> frame_constructor[IntoFrame]:
     """Return the registered constructor for `name`.
 
     Arguments:
@@ -542,8 +542,8 @@ def get_constructor(name: str) -> frame_constructor[IntoFrame]:
         ValueError: If `name` is not a registered constructor identifier.
 
     Examples:
-        >>> from narwhals.testing.constructors import get_constructor
-        >>> get_constructor("pandas")
+        >>> from narwhals.testing.constructors import get_backend_constructor
+        >>> get_backend_constructor("pandas")
         frame_constructor(name='pandas')
     """
     try:
@@ -554,7 +554,7 @@ def get_constructor(name: str) -> frame_constructor[IntoFrame]:
         raise ValueError(msg) from exc
 
 
-def prepare_constructors(
+def prepare_backends(
     *, include: Iterable[str] | None = None, exclude: Iterable[str] | None = None
 ) -> list[frame_constructor[IntoFrame]]:
     """Return available constructors, optionally filtered.
@@ -563,14 +563,14 @@ def prepare_constructors(
         `exclude` is given precedence in the selection.
 
     Arguments:
-        include: If given, only return constructors whose name is in this set.
-        exclude: If given, remove constructors whose name is in this set.
+        include: If given, only return backends whose name is in this set.
+        exclude: If given, remove backends whose name is in this set.
 
     Examples:
-        >>> from narwhals.testing.constructors import prepare_constructors
-        >>> constructors = prepare_constructors(include=["pandas", "polars[eager]"])
+        >>> from narwhals.testing.constructors import prepare_backends
+        >>> backends = prepare_backends(include=["pandas", "polars[eager]"])
     """
-    available = available_constructors()
+    available = available_backends()
     candidates: list[frame_constructor[Any]] = [
         c for name, c in frame_constructor._registry.items() if name in available
     ]