Sanity Testing Vs. Smoke Testing: What Is it & Differences

Updated on June 12, 2024

Article Outline

Before any software is launched in the market, it must undergo the process of software testing. It is the procedure involving the verification and evaluation of a software product. The purpose of testing software is to check if it complies with the objectives it promises to deliver. 

 

Within this cycle of software testing, sanity, and smoke testing stand as subgroups. Let’s delve deeper into Sanity Testing Vs Smoke Testing, their applications, and benefits.

 

Table of content

 

What Is Software Testing?

Testing software is the process of analyzing whether the software that is being tested is ready for application without the risk of bugs and errors. It is an integral component of software development. 

 

The process of software testing not only aims at fixing flaws but also making necessary improvements. Such an approach empowers creativity, flexibility, and innovation. Individuals with a knack for a full-stack development course can learn more about this. 

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Overview of Sanity and Smoke Testing

Sanity Testing

Before discussing Sanity Testing Vs Smoke Testing, let’s understand what is sanity testing and sanity testing. Sanity and smoke testing are two fundamental aspects used throughout the software development process. They are implemented to ensure that the software is conducive to functionality and adheres to the standard requirements it is built for. 

What is Smoke Testing?

Also known as the build verification test, identifies program-related concerns. It acts as an examiner for whether or not the software features are operating correctly. Smoke testing is thus run before both regression and functional testing procedures. Here is Cloud Computing Architecture: Components & Benefits Explained for further details about the same. 

 

Now, to understand Sanity Testing Vs Smoke Testing, let us see what is sanity testing.

What is Sanity Testing

Also known as surface level testing, analyses if the recent module addition to the current software is stable enough to carry forward into the next testing phase. In case this test fails, the build is rejected. This step is cardinal to save both money and time. 

 

If you still find the concept of smoke and sanity testing difficult to understand, we recommend you start with the basics. Start by studying What Is Data: Definition, Types & Data Management to understand it better.

Difference Between Sanity and Smoke Testing

Let’s explore the major differences between smoke testing and sanity testing:

 

Note: Use images similar to these, do not use this image, its for reference

 

Areas Smoke Testing  Sanity Testing 
Purpose To confirm that the acute program functionalities are working without any glitches, risks and bugs. To confirm that the program is now bug-free post the build process. 
Scope of testing To confirm that the recent build is stable enough to undergo the rigorous testing procedures that follow.  To identify the rationality of the system. Also, determines the accuracy to ascertain the successful operation of the proposed functionality. 
Goals and objectives To determine system stability.   To determine system rationality.  
Execution time and effort Entire system is used from end-to-end. Uses only certain components from the whole system. 
Test coverage Covers end-to-end standard system functionalities.  Covers only certain modules wherein code changes were run. 
Measures Measures system stability.  Measures system rationality. 
Technique Can be conducted both automatically and manually.  Can be conducted without the implementation of scripts and test cases. 
Documentation Is eligible for testing and documentation.  Not eligible for documentation and testing. 
Subset Acceptance testing Regression Testing
Used to To test end-to-end application functions. Testers 
Executed by Testers And Developers Conducted On Stable build for recent software features.
Used to Conducted On the Initial build.  To test only defects or altered fixed functions.
Performed On Conducted On the Initial build.  Conducted On Stable build for recent software features.

 

That was all about the differences in sanity testing vs smoke testing

Similarities Between Sanity and Smoke Testing 

Now we have seen the differences between sanity testing and smoke testing. Let’s explore the major similarities between smoke testing and sanity testing:

 

Save Time Both Sanity and Smoke testing can help save sufficient amounts of time. They do this by instantly running an analysis encompassing the safe operation of application. 
Risks Of Integration Both Sanity and Smoke testing reduce the risks of integration. This is possible due to end-to-end testing conducted on each build. Such an action helps detect any functionality-related concerns in the early stages itself. 
Save Cost Both Sanity and Smoke testing are great cost reducers. This is adjacent to the saving of time and effort. 
Progress Evaluation Both Sanity and Smoke testing make it convenient to assess developmental progress. 

 

Sanity Testing Vs Smoke Testing What Is it & Differences

Advantages and Disadvantages of Sanity Testing Vs Smoke Testing

After covering the difference between smoke testing vs sanity testing, let’s look at some advantages and disadvantages for the same.

 

Advantages of Sanity Testing Vs Smoke Testing 

Sanity Testing

 

  • Saves sufficient amounts of effort and time.
  • It can be conducted within a short period of time with no documentation required.
  • The build is rejected right when there is any problem detected in the testing process. 
  • It can assist in finding any missing or hidden objects. 
  • A most convenient way to ascertain product quality.
  • Helps verify whether a small application functionality works appropriately. 

Smoke Testing

  • Comes in handy when there is a dearth of time, but quick testing is cardinal.
  • Works efficiently towards improving the QA team’s productivity. 
  • Troubleshoots faster alongside quick fixes of regression bugs. 
  • The test cases needed are minimal.
  • Empowers better system quality. 
  • Helps map out the concerns pertaining to the module integration. 

Disadvantages of Sanity Testing vs. Smoke Testing

Sanity Testing

  • Very narrow scope when in comparison with other testing methods.
  • Not scripted at all, that can result in issues for testers.
  • It does not fit compatible with the demands of the design structure level. 
  • Focuses solely on the software functions and commands.

Smoke Testing

  • Fails to cover detailed testing.
  • More compatible with when you can practice automation. Otherwise, it may require massive amounts of time to manually implement the test cases. 
  • This may lead to time wastage. 
  • Critical concerns may prolong system testing and integration even after rigorous testing. 

If you are scouting for additional details regarding Sanity testing vs. Smoke testing, you can start with the basics. Learn about Data Warehousing and Data Mining in Detail to get a better hang of it. 

Conclusion to Sanity and Smoke Testing

That was all about the differences in sanity testing vs smoke testing. In this guide we have covered all about sanity testing and smoke testing. Learning about the complex processes of sanity testing vs. smoke testing can seem perplexing initially. But certain study materials can help you crack them conveniently. 

 

We suggest you initiate with the Introduction to Cloud Computing Deployment Models and then move on to the more intricate details. This will help sharpen your basic knowledge of this.

FAQs
STLC helps make it possible to test software and ascertain that all standard protocols pertaining to quality are complied with. The difference between smoke and sanity testing falls under this cycle.
Yes. Both sanity testing vs. smoke testing have their own set of drawbacks. While sanity testing is very narrow and may only focus on software functions and commands, smoke testing cons are different. In smoke testing, you may not receive detailed testing, and the process may also lead to time waste sometimes. You can adhere to the above table for more such drawbacks and to understand the difference between smoke and sanity testing.

Updated on June 12, 2024

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