sanity or smoke testing

Guri Bee

2 min read

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19-10-2024

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Sanity vs. Smoke Testing: A Guide to Choosing the Right Test

When it comes to software testing, you have a plethora of options, each with its own purpose and scope. Two commonly used tests, sanity and smoke testing, often get confused. While both aim to quickly assess the software's health, they differ in their approach and focus. Let's delve into the nuances of each test to help you choose the right one for your needs.

What is Sanity Testing?

Sanity testing, often referred to as "regression testing," is a focused verification process. It's typically performed after a minor code change or bug fix to ensure that the change hasn't negatively impacted the existing functionality.

Key Features:

• Scope: Limited to the specific area affected by the code change.
• Purpose: To confirm the change was implemented correctly and hasn't introduced new bugs.
• Example: After fixing a login issue, sanity testing would involve verifying successful logins and other related functionalities like password recovery or account settings.

Question from GitHub (Source: https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/azure-devops-docs/issues/7129):

How does sanity testing differ from smoke testing?

Answer:

Sanity testing is more focused on a specific change and verifies that it hasn't introduced new bugs, while smoke testing is more about verifying the overall functionality and stability of a build.

What is Smoke Testing?

Smoke testing, often called "build verification testing," is a high-level, quick check performed after a new build is released. Its primary goal is to determine if the build is stable enough for further testing.

Key Features:

• Scope: Covers major functionalities of the software, not specific features.
• Purpose: To identify major bugs or crashes that could hinder further testing or deployment.
• Example: Smoke testing a new web application would involve checking if the login page works, essential navigation is available, and core features like user registration and product search function properly.

Question from GitHub (Source: https://github.com/mozilla/firefox-ios/issues/4829):

What are some examples of smoke tests for a mobile app?

Answer:

Smoke tests for a mobile app could include verifying the app launches successfully, basic navigation works, and core functionalities like login, profile settings, and basic content loading function as expected.

Sanity vs. Smoke: Choosing the Right Test

Here's a simple breakdown to help you choose:

When to use Sanity Testing:

• After a bug fix
• After minor code changes
• When you need to ensure the change doesn't affect existing functionalities

When to use Smoke Testing:

• After a new build is released
• Before starting extensive testing
• To quickly assess if the build is stable enough for further testing

Conclusion

Sanity and smoke testing are valuable tools in the software testing process. Understanding their differences and choosing the right test for your situation can significantly streamline your testing workflow and save valuable time and resources.