16 July 2024 Leave a comment QA
When working on software projects, you may often encounter the terms “smoke testing” and “sanity testing.” While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes in the software development lifecycle. This article aims to clarify the differences between these two types of testing and provide guidance on when and how to use them effectively.
What is Smoke Testing?
Smoke testing, originally a term from hardware testing, refers to a preliminary test performed to check whether the basic functionalities of a software build are working correctly. The primary objective of smoke testing is to ensure that the critical features of the application are functioning and that the build is stable enough for further testing.
Key Characteristics of Smoke Testing:
- Ensures the application launches and interfaces are responsive.
- Checks for basic errors such as broken links or 404 errors in web applications.
- Serves as a gatekeeper to prevent time wastage on a fundamentally flawed build.
- Typically involves a subset of all test cases, focusing on main functionalities.
What is Sanity Testing?
Sanity testing is a focused form of testing conducted to verify that specific functionalities and bug fixes work as intended. This type of testing ensures that recent changes or fixes have not adversely affected the existing functionalities of the application.
Key Characteristics of Sanity Testing:
- Ensures that the application is in a reasonable state for more rigorous testing.
- Involves executing a small subset of functional tests to validate recent changes.
- Focuses on specific areas of the application rather than the entire system.
- Helps identify whether the test case results are consistent and whether requirements are met.
Practical Example
Consider a web application where a new build is released. The smoke test might involve checking that the application launches, all main pages load correctly, and basic navigation works. This ensures that no major issues will block further testing.
After passing the smoke test, a sanity test might be conducted on a specific module that received bug fixes or new features. For example, if the login functionality was recently updated, sanity testing would involve verifying that users can log in and out correctly, password reset works, and error messages are displayed for invalid inputs.
When to Use Smoke and Sanity Testing
Both smoke and sanity testing are crucial in ensuring software quality but are used at different stages:
- Smoke Testing: Performed on new builds to ensure stability before proceeding with more detailed testing.
- Sanity Testing: Conducted after receiving a stable build to verify specific functionalities and bug fixes.
Enhancing Your Testing Process with Repeato
While understanding the nuances of smoke and sanity testing is essential, leveraging the right tools can significantly enhance your testing process. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool designed for iOS and Android applications. It allows you to create, run, and maintain automated tests quickly and efficiently.
Repeato’s ease of setup and use, combined with its computer vision and AI capabilities, makes it an excellent choice for performing both smoke and sanity tests. By automating these tests, you can ensure that your application remains stable and functional, saving valuable time and resources.
For more information on how Repeato can assist with your testing needs, visit our documentation section or explore our blog for additional insights and best practices.
