What is Smoke Testing?
Smoke Testing is a preliminary test to ensure that the major features of a software application work correctly. It is often referred to as “Build Verification Testing”.
Objectives of Smoke Testing
- Verify that the critical functions of the application are working
- Identify major issues early in the testing cycle
- Ensure that the build is stable for further testing
Advantages
- Quick feedback on build quality
- Reduces risk of major defects going unnoticed
- Helps save time for detailed testing
Limitations
- Does not cover detailed functionality
- May miss minor defects
- Only preliminary validation, not a full test
Smoke Testing Process
- Receive new software build.
- Identify critical functionalities to test.
- Execute smoke test cases.
- Report major defects if found.
- Decide whether the build is stable for further testing.
️ Example
Example: After a new build of an e-commerce app, testers perform smoke testing to check if login, product search, and checkout functions are working before detailed functional testing.
Best Practices
- Focus on critical functionality
- Use a small set of test cases
- Automate smoke tests if possible
- Run smoke tests on every new build
