Introduction
Smoke testing is one of the most important testing types performed after receiving a new build. It ensures that the basic and critical functionalities of the application are working properly.
What is Smoke Testing?
Smoke testing is a preliminary testing process that verifies whether the build is stable enough for further testing. It checks major features before detailed test execution begins.
If smoke testing fails, the build is rejected and returned to the development team.
Why Smoke Testing is Important
- Ensures build stability
- Saves testing time
- Prevents waste of effort on unstable builds
- Quick validation before regression testing
Smoke Testing Process
- Receive new build
- Identify critical test cases
- Execute high-priority tests
- Validate core functionalities
- Approve or reject build
Real-World Examples
Example 1: E-commerce Application
- Check homepage loads
- Verify login works
- Add product to cart
- Complete basic checkout flow
Example 2: Banking Application
- User login
- Account balance display
- Fund transfer functionality
Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing
- Smoke Testing: Checks entire build stability.
- Sanity Testing: Verifies specific bug fixes or modules.
Advantages of Smoke Testing
- Quick feedback to developers
- Improves release quality
- Reduces major failures
- Supports continuous integration
Smoke Testing Interview Questions
What is smoke testing?
Smoke testing verifies basic build stability before detailed testing.
When is smoke testing performed?
After receiving a new build from developers.
Can smoke testing be automated?
Yes, it is often automated in CI/CD pipelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is smoke testing part of regression testing?
Smoke testing is performed before regression testing to validate build stability.
Who performs smoke testing?
Usually QA testers or automation engineers.