What is Smoke Testing?
Smoke testing, also known as "build verification testing," is a preliminary level of testing conducted to verify whether the basic functionalities of an application are working correctly before it undergoes more rigorous testing. This testing approach is often executed after a new build is deployed to ensure that critical features function as expected.
Purpose of Smoke Testing
The primary goal of smoke testing is to detect early failures in an application. It saves time and effort by identifying issues at an early stage, allowing the team to address these problems before embarking on more extensive testing processes.
Process of Smoke Testing
Typically, smoke testing is automated but can also be done manually. The process involves executing a set of basic test cases that cover the core functionalities of the application, such as:
- Application launch
- Basic user interactions
- Data entry and retrieval
- Navigation between key components
When to Perform Smoke Testing
Smoke testing is usually performed after a new build is created or when significant changes are made to the software. It serves as a gatekeeping measure to determine whether the software is stable enough for further testing.
Benefits of Smoke Testing
By implementing smoke testing, teams can:
- Quickly assess build stability
- Reduce the risk of major defects
- Improve overall testing efficiency