Describe the difference between smoke testing and sanity testing.

Understanding the Difference between Smoke Testing and Sanity Testing

When it comes to software testing, it is crucial to differentiate between smoke testing and sanity testing. While both are important in the testing process, they serve different purposes and have distinct focuses.

Smoke Testing:

Smoke testing, also known as Build Verification Testing (BVT), is a preliminary testing process aimed at ensuring the stability and basic functionality of the software build. The primary focus of smoke testing is to check if the critical functionalities of the application are working fine. It is usually performed after a new build is created to verify that it is suitable for further, more in-depth testing.

Sanity Testing:

On the other hand, sanity testing is a more focused and narrow testing process that aims to verify specific, new functionalities or bug fixes. Unlike smoke testing, which checks the overall stability, sanity testing focuses on specific areas of the software that have undergone recent changes. It is performed to ensure that the modifications have not adversely affected the existing functionalities.

In summary, while smoke testing validates the overall stability of the software build, sanity testing verifies specific functionalities or changes. Both types of testing are essential in ensuring the quality and reliability of the software product.

When considering software testing strategies, understanding the difference between smoke testing and sanity testing is crucial for effective test planning and execution.