on. If the output doesn't match, then a DocTestFailure is raised: >>> test = DocTestParser().get_doctest(''' ... >>> x = 1 ... >>> x ... 2 ... ''', {}, 'foo', 'foo.py', 0) >>> try: ... runner.run(test) ... except DocTestFailure as f: ... failure = f DocTestFailure objects provide access to the test: >>> failure.test is test True As well as to the example: >>> failure.example.want '2\n' and the actual output: >>> failure.got '1\n' If a failure or error occurs, the globals are left intact: >>> del test.globs['__builtins__'] >>> test.globs {'x': 1} >>> test = DocTestParser().get_doctest(''' ... >>> x = 2 ... >>> raise KeyError ... ''', {}, 'foo', 'foo.py', 0) >>> runner.run(test) Traceback (most recent call last): ... doctest.UnexpectedException: >>> del test.globs['__builtins__'] >>> test.globs {'x': 2} But the globals are cleared if there is no error: >>> test = DocTestParser().get_doctest(''' ... >>> x = 2 ... ''', {}, 'foo', 'foo.py', 0) >>> runner.run(test) TestResults(failed=0, attempted=1) >>> test.globs {} NTc