Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing

Smoke Testing and Sanity Testing are both forms of preliminary testing used in software development to quickly evaluate the basic functionality of a new build or release. While they share some similarities, there are key differences between the two:

Smoke Testing:

Purpose: To verify that the most critical functions of the application work correctly.

Scope: Broader, covering major functionality across the entire system.

Depth: Shallow, not diving deep into any particular area.

When performed: Usually done after a new build is created, before more extensive testing.

Time: Typically takes a short time to complete (e.g., 30 minutes to a few hours).

Who performs it: Often done by developers or testers.

Automation: Can be easily automated.

Pass/Fail criteria: If smoke tests fail, the build is rejected immediately.

Sanity Testing:

Purpose: To verify that specific functionality works as expected after minor changes.

Scope: Narrower, focusing on particular areas affected by recent changes.

Depth: Can be more detailed in specific areas.

When performed: Usually done after receiving a software build with minor changes or bug fixes.

Time: Generally quicker than smoke testing.

Who performs it: Typically performed by testers.

Automation: This can be automated, but it is often done manually due to its adaptive nature.

Pass/Fail criteria: If sanity tests fail, more intensive testing may be required.

Key Differences:

Smoke testing is broader and less deep, while sanity testing is narrower but can be more detailed in specific areas.

Smoke testing is done on new builds or major releases, while sanity testing is often performed after minor changes or bug fixes.

Smoke testing checks the entire system’s stability, while sanity testing focuses on specific functionalities affected by recent changes.

Smoke testing is more likely to be automated, while sanity testing is often manual due to its adaptive nature.

Smoke testing failure usually results in immediate build rejection, while sanity testing failure may lead to more intensive testing.

Here’s a tabular comparison of Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing:

Based On	Smoke Testing	Sanity Testing
Goal	Verifies stability	Verifies rationality
Scope	Narrow focuses on specific functionality	Early in the testing cycle, after build
Depth	Shallow check of critical functionalities	Detailed check of specific areas
Timing	It can be manual or automated	After smoke testing, before detailed testing
Duration	Shorter	Longer than smoke testing
Performed by	Developers or Testers	Typically Testers
Automation	Often automated	Can be manual or automated
Test Cases	Basic, critical path test cases	More detailed test cases for specific features
Purpose	Ensures build stability for further testing	Ensures specific functionality works as expected
Outcome	Pass/Fail decision for further testing	Detailed feedback on specific areas

Both types of testing are crucial in the software development lifecycle, helping to identify issues early and ensure the stability and functionality of the software. The choice between smoke and sanity testing often depends on the project’s specific needs and the development stage.