use pytest framework for tests instead of unittest

[VigneshVSV]

We want to eventually move to pytest framework instead of unittest framework. I originally liked writing tests as objects, but it got quickly out of hand when the code became shared in unnatural ways. Permutations and combinations of inputs were also not well harnessed.

Therefore its best to move tests to pytest. We will recreate all the tests in pytest framework and then get rid of the older tests, not do a per-file replacement.

To start off:

• add pytest to test dependencies and setup a CI/CD job that will run pytest (all OS, all major python versions above or equal to 3.11)
• Cast test_01 (not test_00 to pytest format) to pytest format
• Setup conftest.py where common fixtures will be used
• Use ordering fixture to set test_01 as the first test (although it would still be useful to call the test_01 as test_01)
• generate coverage report (dont upload it)

[FaizaJibril]

@VigneshVSV Hi, I'd like to work on this issue. Could you please assign it to me?

[VigneshVSV]

@VigneshVSV Hi, I'd like to work on this issue. Could you please assign it to me?

Hi, thats really amazing and would be very helpful.

I just made a new merge less than 1 minute ago.

[FaizaJibril]

great, I will start working on it