Sanity and Smoke testing

Difference between Sanity and Smoke testing:

Smoke Testing: Ensures crucial program functionalities work; subset of acceptance testing; documented; executed by devs or testers; may be stable or unstable; scripted; measures system stability; tests all system functions; manual or automated; performed on new builds.

Sanity Testing: Checks fixed bugs after build; subset of regression testing; not documented; performed by testers; stable; not scripted; measures system rationality; tests modified/defective functions; manual; conducted after regression testing; specific component verification; stable builds; carried out when in-depth testing is time-constrained.

What is Smoke Testing:

Smoke tests are a subset of tests that focus on quickly and superficially checking the basic critical/core functionalities of an application or system. They aim to determine if the critical features or core functionalities are working properly after a deployment or configuration change

Smoke Testing serves as a pivotal software testing approach aimed at assessing the stability of the employed build. It acts as a crucial confirmation, signaling whether the quality assurance team can progress to subsequent testing phases. This method involves executing a minimal set of tests on each build to ascertain its reliability.

During Smoke Testing, the software build is deployed into a quality assurance environment, undergoing meticulous verification to ensure the overall stability of the application. Commonly referred to as Confidence Testing or Build Verification Testing, this process focuses on validating essential features and identifying any potential showstoppers in the testing build.

In essence, Smoke Testing is a swift and concise regression test, specifically targeting key functionalities. Its purpose is to swiftly confirm that crucial aspects of the software are operational, paving the way for further testing. By doing so, it aids in identifying any flaws in the build early on, preventing the unnecessary consumption of time and resources on subsequent testing endeavors.

While the term “smoke tests” is familiar, misconceptions often surround this testing approach, giving rise to misguided expectations. Some common misbeliefs include:

• Expecting 100% coverage of critical application functionalities from smoke tests.
• Assuming smoke tests can catch all bugs.
• Treating all P0 tests as potential smoke tests.
• Imposing a fixed duration of 30 to 60 minutes for the smoke test suite.
• Dealing with data-heavy prerequisite setups.

Despite these misconceptions, the fundamental principles in designing a smoke test suite should focus on the following key aspects:

• Simplicity and Straightforwardness:
  • Smoke tests should be clear and uncomplicated, emphasizing a swift identification of critical issues. This aids the team in taking prompt actions before delving into extensive testing or releasing the application.
• Quick Execution:
  • Smoke tests should be lightweight, demanding minimal time and effort for execution. For applications requiring elaborate data setups, this can be addressed by utilizing APIs or data seeding.
• Limited in Number:
  • A modest count, around 5 to 10 tests, is ample to cover essential functionalities. The objective is a rapid validation of critical aspects, though the specific number may vary based on project specifics.
• Early Detection of Showstopper Bugs:
  • Identifying key workflows or use cases representing core functionality aids in creating smoke tests that catch showstopper bugs early in the deployment process.
• Non-Comprehensive Coverage:
  • Smoke tests are not designed for exhaustive coverage of features or edge cases; rather, they serve as a swift check ensuring the system’s stability.

Given that smoke tests ideally run against every build, any additional minute, script, or flaky test directly impacts overall deployment stability. Creating an unstable or extensive smoke suite may result in constant script maintenance, posing a challenge for test teams around the clock.

Purpose of Smoke Testing:

Efficient Resource Utilization: Avoid unnecessary resource allocation for extensive testing if fundamental functionalities are not operating correctly.

Effective Time Management: Save time by promptly identifying critical issues, allowing development teams to address them swiftly.

Informed Decision-Making: Establish a transparent and impartial framework for deciding whether a software build is ready for in-depth testing or requires immediate attention.

Support for Continuous Integration: Ensure that each new build meets essential quality criteria before integration into the broader codebase, supporting a seamless continuous integration approach.

Enhanced Communication: Provide swift feedback on build stability, facilitating effective communication between development and testing teams.

Benefits of Smoke Testing:

• Execution of smoke testing is straightforward.
• Early identification of defects is facilitated.
• System quality is enhanced through smoke testing.
• Reduced risk of failure is a key advantage.
• Monitoring progress becomes more accessible.
• Significant savings in test effort and time.
• Critical errors are easily detected and corrected.
• Swift execution characterizes smoke testing.
• Integration risks are minimized effectively.

Drawbacks of Smoke Testing:

1. Limited coverage of application functionality.
2. Possibility of errors persisting despite smoke tests.
3. Manual smoke testing can be time-consuming for larger projects.
4. Inability to handle negative tests or invalid input.
5. Limited number of test cases may overlook other potential issues during testing.

What is Sanity Testing?

Sanity testing, a part of regression testing, verifies that recent code changes function correctly. It acts as a checkpoint, determining if the build is ready for further testing. The emphasis is on validating overall application functionality rather than exhaustive testing. Typically conducted on builds needing urgent deployment, such as critical bug fixes.

Sanity Testing Functions:

• Integration Verification: Ensures recent changes don’t disrupt module integration.
• Bug Fix Validation: Confirms bug fixes maintain proper functionality.
• Time and Resource Efficiency: Optimizes resources by swiftly gauging build stability.
• Regression Check: Basic assessment for unintended impacts on existing functionalities.
• Repetitive Validation: Swiftly validates incremental builds, ideal for agile setups.

Sanity Testing Procedure:

1. Identification Phase:
   • Uncover new features and code changes to address bugs.
2. Evaluation Stage:
   • Examine recent additions, ensuring they align with specifications.
3. Testing Phase:
   • Evaluate attributes, elements, and critical components for optimal functionality post-identification and evaluation.

Illustration of Sanity Testing:

In an e-commerce project, critical modules like login, home, user profile, and registration are examined. A defect is discovered in the login page, violating password length requirements. After development fixes it, the testing team verifies the resolution, ensuring no adverse effects on related functionalities. In a sanity test, the login and user profile pages are checked to validate the implemented changes.

Know more details between Sanity and Smoke testing

Feature	Smoke Testing	Sanity Testing
Purpose	To ensure acute functionalities are working.	To check if bugs have been fixed after the build.
Alias	Subset of acceptance testing.	Subset of regression testing.
Documentation	Documented.	Not documented.
Performed By	Developers or testers.	Typically performed by testers.
Stability	May be stable or unstable.	Stable.
Scripting	Scripted.	Usually not scripted.
Measurement	Measures system stability.	Measures system rationality.
Scope	Tests all functions of the system.	Used for modified or defect functions.
Execution Method	Manual or automation tools.	Mostly manual, not using automation.
Timing	During new product build.	After regression testing completion.
Functionality Included	Includes all essential basic functionality.	Includes only modules with code changes.
Order of Execution	First performed on the initial build.	Done on stable builds or for introduced new features.
Test Case Usage	Test cases may be used.	Often carried out without using test cases or scripts.
Verification Type	End-to-end system verification.	Specific component verification.
Build Stability	Build could be stable or unstable.	Build is comparatively stable.
Frequency	Done for every new build release.	Carried out when in-depth testing is not possible due to time constraints.

Sanity and Smoke testing difference:

• Smoke Testing: Validates if the essential functionalities work, covering all aspects of the software, often performed on new builds, and focuses on system stability.
• Sanity Testing: Verifies specific modified or defect-related functions, conducted after regression testing, and emphasizes the rationality of the system, often on stable builds and when time constraints limit in-depth testing.