Difference Between Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing
In general, smoke testing and sanity testing appear to be like many and it is because of the frequent use of terms such as build, functionality, rejection of build, etc. However, there are major differences between smoke testing vs sanity testing and both the tests are performed by a tester.
Also, known as Build Verification Testing, smoke testing is a type of software testing which ensures that the most important functions work. To say in simple words, smoke testing is the process in which one roughly checks if all the important functions of an application are running smoothly. It is usually done before rigorous testing or thorough testing, hence the name Build Verification Testing. As this testing only includes checking the major functions of the software, the result of this test is further used to evaluate the need for further testing. Hence, a positive result of the test will be passed to the test engineer for further tests. In such cases, if a smoke test fails, the further tests are halted, and the builder is asked to build a new code and fix the problems. Smoke testing is normally conducted to ensure if the build is testable or not. Once the build is developed, the build is passed to the test engineer to check its basic functionalities.
Types of Smoke testing
Below are the different types of testing which are as follows:
1. Formal Smoke Testing:
Under the formal smoke testing, the developer provides the build to the test engineer. Here the test engineer assigns one tester to every feature of the build and is asked to perform the smoke test. The test leader then analyses all the test result of the build and reports the end result to the developer. These procedures are done officially through proper email chains, hence the name Formal Smoke Testing.
2. Informal Smoke Testing:
Under this testing method, smoke testing is performed on the build. However, the test engineers do not make a report of it and are not communicated with the lead test engineer.
3. Sanity Testing:
This is a software technology used to test some basic tests on the application. This subset of regression testing is normally performed when one has enough time to check the features. This method is normally used to check whether all the menus, commands or other functionalities available are the projects is working fine or not.
Head To Head Comparison Between Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing(Infographics)
Below is the top 6 difference between Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing
Key Differences Between Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing
Both Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major Difference Between Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing
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Smoke Testing
- In smoke testing, only the basic and critical features are tested.
- Doing smoke testing helps one to expose the integration and other major problems beforehand or early in the test cycle.
- Smoke testing also helps us to
- Covering most of the major functions, the smoke test helps in a quick test of the software. However, it does not conduct an in-depth test of these programs.
- It can also be said that smoke testing is a kind of general health check conducted for the programs
Sanity Testing
- Sanity testing is a sub-regression.
- It is usually performed for those builds (programs) which has already been tested and a minor change in the code has occurred.
- Hence, Sanity testing is the process of doing intensive testing of any functionality given in a program.
- Another fact that differentiates Sanity testing from Smoke testing is the fact that it is usually done for mature builds or the builds that are entering into the market or which is going to hit the production.
- Sanity tests are performed on those programs which have been already removed from the testing process.
- Alike, Smoke testing, if any of the programs fail the sanity tests, these programs are sent back to the developer so that they can fix the build.
Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing Comparison Table
Below is the 6 topmost comparison between Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing
|
Smoke Testing |
Sanity Testing |
| Smoke testing helps in determining if further rigorous testing is needed or not and hence saves time. | Sanity testing is only conducted if there is enough time. It is mainly used to check the functionality of a program once minor edits are done |
| Smoke testing mainly includes testing of all the major parts though not deeply | Mainly focusing on narrow testing, in Sanity testing only checks a few areas of functionality |
| It ensures whether the most crucial functions are working properly or not. However, this test does not bother finding the fine details | This test is performed to check or prove that the application is a functioning considering all its specifications. |
| In smoke testing, the testing is done automatically through a written set of programs. It is scripted. | Sanity testing, on the other hand, is unscripted. |
| Smoke testing includes high-level testing of important features. | Sanity testing includes deep and narrow testing of important features |
| Smoke testing helps in uncovering problems early | Sanity testing can only be conducted, once the defect is found |
Conclusion
After having an insight into Smoke vs Sanity testing, finally, it’s time to wrap up this discussion by highlighting the key elements of this post. By now you can have a brief understanding of why these two techniques are so unique in nature and also stand out to be the most useful components in software testing.
While Smoke testing is a faster and cheaper approach to detect errors, it also saves precious time. It’s always implemented at the initial stages of software engineering as it is the final step before a software build enters the next stage. As per the requirement of the organization, smoke testing is done both manually and through automation that ultimately enhances the quality of the application.
On the other side, Sanity is also called as surface-level testing offers a rapid-fire status about the release and planning the next stage is why Sanity testing is a preferred choice. As a subset of acceptance testing, it readily helps to save time and costs that are involved in the testing procedure in case the build fails.
So, the final say is, while Smoke and Sanity testing have similarities, they have certain key differences that set them apart.
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