Sanity Testing vs. Smoke Testing

Attribute	Sanity Testing	Smoke Testing
Purpose	Quick check to see if the software is ready for further testing	Quick check to see if the build is stable enough for more rigorous testing
Scope	Focuses on specific areas or functionalities of the software	Tests the critical functionalities of the software
Depth	Shallow testing, not exhaustive	Shallow testing, not exhaustive
Execution Time	Usually executed after major changes or bug fixes	Executed after each build
Automation	Can be automated	Can be automated

Introduction

Software testing is an essential part of the software development lifecycle. It helps ensure that the software meets the required quality standards and functions as expected. Two common types of testing that are often used in software development are Sanity Testing and Smoke Testing. While both types of testing serve the purpose of identifying defects in the software, they have distinct attributes that set them apart.

Definition

Sanity Testing, also known as sanity check or build verification testing, is a type of software testing that is performed to quickly evaluate whether the software application is working as expected after a minor change or bug fix. It is a narrow and deep approach to testing that focuses on specific areas of the software to ensure that the critical functionalities are working correctly. On the other hand, Smoke Testing, also known as build verification testing, is a type of software testing that is performed to verify whether the critical functionalities of the software are working fine. It is a broad and shallow approach to testing that is used to determine whether the software build is stable enough for further testing.

Purpose

The purpose of Sanity Testing is to ensure that the recent changes made to the software have not introduced any new defects and that the critical functionalities are still working as expected. It helps in saving time and effort by quickly identifying any major issues that may have been introduced during the development process. On the other hand, the purpose of Smoke Testing is to verify whether the software build is stable enough for further testing. It helps in ensuring that the basic functionalities of the software are working fine before proceeding with more detailed testing.

Scope

Sanity Testing is usually performed on a specific part of the software that has undergone recent changes or bug fixes. It is a focused testing approach that targets specific functionalities to ensure that they are working correctly. On the other hand, Smoke Testing is performed on the entire software build to verify the basic functionalities. It is a broad testing approach that aims to identify any major issues that may prevent further testing of the software.

Execution

Sanity Testing is typically performed after the completion of regression testing to ensure that the recent changes have not affected the critical functionalities of the software. It is a quick and focused testing approach that can be executed in a short period of time. On the other hand, Smoke Testing is usually performed at the beginning of the testing process to verify the stability of the software build. It is a quick and shallow testing approach that helps in determining whether the software build is ready for further testing.

Frequency

Sanity Testing is usually performed whenever there are minor changes or bug fixes made to the software. It is a regular testing activity that helps in ensuring the stability of the software after each change. On the other hand, Smoke Testing is performed whenever a new build of the software is available. It is a one-time testing activity that is used to verify the basic functionalities of the software before proceeding with more detailed testing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sanity Testing and Smoke Testing are two important types of software testing that serve different purposes in the software development lifecycle. While Sanity Testing focuses on specific areas of the software to ensure that the critical functionalities are working correctly after a change, Smoke Testing verifies the stability of the software build before further testing. Both types of testing are essential for ensuring the quality and reliability of the software.