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TECHNOLOGIES
SmokeTesting vs. SanityTesting: A Comparative Analysis
Software Testing is crucial in determining the
quality and reliability of a given software
product. Each form of Software Testing
Training helps to meet a different objective.
Having said that; the idea of Smoke and
Sanity Testing is often confused with each
other, with many using the two terms
interchangeably. While this might be
convenient, it is not technically correct. Thus,
in order to clear the confusion, it is important
to delve into the issue of Smoke Testing vs.
SanityTesting in its entirety.
The literature on the issue of Sanity vs. Smoke Testing is still not well developed. Accordingly, in this blog, we shall try to take up a comparative
analysis of Sanity Testing vs. Smoke Testing. We will look at the differences between the two as well as try to understand their relation with
RegressionTesting, under the issue of SmokeTesting vs. SanityTesting vs. RegressionTesting.
What is SmokeTesting?
What is SanityTesting?
SmokeTesting vs. SanityTesting: Similarities
Sanity vs. SmokeTesting: Differences
Smoke vs. Sanity vs. RegressionTesting
Conclusion
What is SmokeTesting?
Smoke Testing is executed in the early stages of the SDLC and is carried out on initial builds. The primary aim of Smoke Testing is to ensure the
seamless working of the core functionalities of the software application. It does not involve deep testing. However, by way of assessing the critical
areas of an application, Smoke Testing helps in detecting poor builds in the primary stages itself. This prevents wastage of time and effort on further
testing which will be futile. If the Smoke Test fails, it results in immediate rejection of the build. Smoke Testing is considered to be a variant of
AcceptanceTesting and is also known as ‘ConfidenceTesting’ or ‘BuildVerification Testing’.
What is SanityTesting?
Whenever, the testing team receives a new Software Build, after minor changes in its functionality or code; Sanity Testing is performed in order to
make sure that the bugs have been fixed, all errors have been addressed and there is no addition of new defects. It is a broad, quick and shallow
Software Testing technique, which helps in evaluating the feasibility of further testing. Sanity Testing is critical in ensuring that the new code
changes do not affect the existing functionalities. Sanity Testing is considered to be a variant of Regression Testing and is also known as ‘Cursory
Testing’.
SmokeTesting vs. SanityTesting: Similarities
 Both are useful in determining the feasibility of further testing. It only
allows for further evaluation of those software applications whose core
functionalities are working properly.
 Both these tests can be conducted manually as well as in an automated
fashion.
 Both these Software Testing Techniques act as important safeguards against
wastage of time and resources. If an application is too defective, it will be
discarded altogether.
 In most cases, both Sanity as well as Smoke Testing is conducted at different
stages of a Software Development Lifecycle. Smoke Testing generally
precedes SanityTesting.
Sanity vs. SmokeTesting: Differences
Basis of Comparison SmokeTesting SanityTesting
Purpose ofTesting It is undertaken in order to ensure that
the core functionalities of a software
application are working properly.
It is undertaken in order to ensure that
the additional/new functionalities are
operating properly and the bugs have
been fixed.
Nature SmokeTesting is regarded to be a
subset of AcceptanceTesting.
SanityTesting is regarded to be a subset
of RegressionTesting.
Coverage ofTesting It has a broad approach which spans
over all the parts of an application.
It has a narrow approach which only
emphasizes upon the most important
parts of an application.
Point of Execution SmokeTesting is conducted in the initial
stages of SDLC on initial builds.
SanityTesting is conducted towards the
end of SDLC on stable builds.
Goal The objective is to verify stability. The objective is to verify rationality.
Executors SmokeTesting can be carried out by
developers or testers.
SanityTesting is carried out by testers
alone.
Form It is documented and scripted. It is generally undocumented and non-
scripted.
Intent SmokeTesting is conducted every time a
new software build is released.
SanityTesting is planned and intentional
when there is insufficient time to
conduct in-depth testing.
Smoke vs. Sanity vs. RegressionTesting
In this section of the blog, we shall conduct a tripartite comparison on the issue of SmokeTesting vs. SanityTesting vs. RegressionTesting.
RegressionTesting
After any change, update or modification has been made to the code, Regression Testing helps in guaranteeing that the application is still working
fine. It is crucial in ensuring the functionality and stability of the software builds. It is usually the last leg in the SDLC and is conducted by the QA
team after the execution of the SanityTests is complete.
SmokeTesting SanityTesting RegressionTesting
Focuses on core functionalities
of a software application
Focuses on additional/new
functionalities and bug fixes
Focuses on the complete system
and bug fixes
Executed on Initial Builds Executed on Stable Builds Executed on Stable Builds
Verifies Stability Verifies Rationality Verifies Functionality
Carried out byTesters or
Developers
Carried out byTesters Carried out byTesters
Subset of AcceptanceTesting Subset of RegressionTesting Superset of Smoke and Sanity
Testing
Broad and Shallow approach Narrow and Deep approach Broad and Deep approach
Conclusion
In most cases, both Smoke Testing as well as Sanity Testing is carried out in order to ensure the stability, rationality and functionality of
Automation Testing Courses builds. In such situations, Smoke Testing precedes Sanity Testing. However, in a number of cases, the test cases
for Smoke Test are combined with that of Sanity Tests, which has resulted in their interchangeable usage. It is clear that while there are
apparent similarities between the two, there are logical differences between the two as well; suggesting that the issue of Sanity vs. Smoke
Testing is a real one.

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Smoke Testing vs. Sanity Testing: A Comparative Analysis

  • 2. Software Testing is crucial in determining the quality and reliability of a given software product. Each form of Software Testing Training helps to meet a different objective. Having said that; the idea of Smoke and Sanity Testing is often confused with each other, with many using the two terms interchangeably. While this might be convenient, it is not technically correct. Thus, in order to clear the confusion, it is important to delve into the issue of Smoke Testing vs. SanityTesting in its entirety.
  • 3. The literature on the issue of Sanity vs. Smoke Testing is still not well developed. Accordingly, in this blog, we shall try to take up a comparative analysis of Sanity Testing vs. Smoke Testing. We will look at the differences between the two as well as try to understand their relation with RegressionTesting, under the issue of SmokeTesting vs. SanityTesting vs. RegressionTesting. What is SmokeTesting? What is SanityTesting? SmokeTesting vs. SanityTesting: Similarities Sanity vs. SmokeTesting: Differences Smoke vs. Sanity vs. RegressionTesting Conclusion
  • 4. What is SmokeTesting? Smoke Testing is executed in the early stages of the SDLC and is carried out on initial builds. The primary aim of Smoke Testing is to ensure the seamless working of the core functionalities of the software application. It does not involve deep testing. However, by way of assessing the critical areas of an application, Smoke Testing helps in detecting poor builds in the primary stages itself. This prevents wastage of time and effort on further testing which will be futile. If the Smoke Test fails, it results in immediate rejection of the build. Smoke Testing is considered to be a variant of AcceptanceTesting and is also known as ‘ConfidenceTesting’ or ‘BuildVerification Testing’.
  • 5. What is SanityTesting? Whenever, the testing team receives a new Software Build, after minor changes in its functionality or code; Sanity Testing is performed in order to make sure that the bugs have been fixed, all errors have been addressed and there is no addition of new defects. It is a broad, quick and shallow Software Testing technique, which helps in evaluating the feasibility of further testing. Sanity Testing is critical in ensuring that the new code changes do not affect the existing functionalities. Sanity Testing is considered to be a variant of Regression Testing and is also known as ‘Cursory Testing’.
  • 6. SmokeTesting vs. SanityTesting: Similarities  Both are useful in determining the feasibility of further testing. It only allows for further evaluation of those software applications whose core functionalities are working properly.  Both these tests can be conducted manually as well as in an automated fashion.  Both these Software Testing Techniques act as important safeguards against wastage of time and resources. If an application is too defective, it will be discarded altogether.  In most cases, both Sanity as well as Smoke Testing is conducted at different stages of a Software Development Lifecycle. Smoke Testing generally precedes SanityTesting.
  • 7. Sanity vs. SmokeTesting: Differences Basis of Comparison SmokeTesting SanityTesting Purpose ofTesting It is undertaken in order to ensure that the core functionalities of a software application are working properly. It is undertaken in order to ensure that the additional/new functionalities are operating properly and the bugs have been fixed. Nature SmokeTesting is regarded to be a subset of AcceptanceTesting. SanityTesting is regarded to be a subset of RegressionTesting. Coverage ofTesting It has a broad approach which spans over all the parts of an application. It has a narrow approach which only emphasizes upon the most important parts of an application. Point of Execution SmokeTesting is conducted in the initial stages of SDLC on initial builds. SanityTesting is conducted towards the end of SDLC on stable builds.
  • 8. Goal The objective is to verify stability. The objective is to verify rationality. Executors SmokeTesting can be carried out by developers or testers. SanityTesting is carried out by testers alone. Form It is documented and scripted. It is generally undocumented and non- scripted. Intent SmokeTesting is conducted every time a new software build is released. SanityTesting is planned and intentional when there is insufficient time to conduct in-depth testing.
  • 9. Smoke vs. Sanity vs. RegressionTesting In this section of the blog, we shall conduct a tripartite comparison on the issue of SmokeTesting vs. SanityTesting vs. RegressionTesting. RegressionTesting After any change, update or modification has been made to the code, Regression Testing helps in guaranteeing that the application is still working fine. It is crucial in ensuring the functionality and stability of the software builds. It is usually the last leg in the SDLC and is conducted by the QA team after the execution of the SanityTests is complete.
  • 10. SmokeTesting SanityTesting RegressionTesting Focuses on core functionalities of a software application Focuses on additional/new functionalities and bug fixes Focuses on the complete system and bug fixes Executed on Initial Builds Executed on Stable Builds Executed on Stable Builds Verifies Stability Verifies Rationality Verifies Functionality Carried out byTesters or Developers Carried out byTesters Carried out byTesters Subset of AcceptanceTesting Subset of RegressionTesting Superset of Smoke and Sanity Testing Broad and Shallow approach Narrow and Deep approach Broad and Deep approach
  • 11. Conclusion In most cases, both Smoke Testing as well as Sanity Testing is carried out in order to ensure the stability, rationality and functionality of Automation Testing Courses builds. In such situations, Smoke Testing precedes Sanity Testing. However, in a number of cases, the test cases for Smoke Test are combined with that of Sanity Tests, which has resulted in their interchangeable usage. It is clear that while there are apparent similarities between the two, there are logical differences between the two as well; suggesting that the issue of Sanity vs. Smoke Testing is a real one.