Nov 2 • General discussion
Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing: What’s the Difference? 🔥🧠
Hey QA fam! 👋
Ever been asked in an interview about the difference between smoke and sanity testing? It’s a classic question! They sound similar, but they’re actually different. Here’s the quick breakdown:
Smoke Testing 🔥
Think: “Does this thing even turn on?”
It’s a broad but shallow check to see if your app’s critical functions work at all.
When to run it:
• Right after a new build drops
• Before starting detailed testing
What you’re checking:
• Can users log in?
• Does the homepage load?
• Do critical workflows start?
Example: New build deployed → Quick smoke test checks login, navigation, basic functionality → If it fails, reject the build immediately.
Sanity Testing 🧠
Think: “Did that bug fix actually work?”
It’s a narrow but deeper check on specific functionality after a bug fix or small change.
When to run it:
• After a bug fix
• After a minor code change
What you’re checking:
• Did the bug get fixed?
• Do related features still work?
Example: Dev fixed the “Forgot Password” link → Sanity test verifies the fix works and didn’t break related login features.
Quick Comparison 📊
Smoke Testing:
• Broad and shallow
• Tests build stability
• After new build
• Accept/reject build
Sanity Testing:
• Narrow and deep
• Tests specific functionality
• After bug fix
• Accept/reject fix
The Easy Way to Remember 🏠
Smoke Test: Walking through a house checking if lights work, doors open, water runs. Basic stuff!
Sanity Test: Going back to check if that leaky faucet the seller “fixed” actually works now.
Bottom Line 🎯
• Smoke testing = “Is this build stable enough to test?”
• Sanity testing = “Did that fix actually work?”
Use both strategically and you’ll save tons of time!
Happy Testing! 🚀
Your turn: Which one do you use most in your projects? Drop a comment! 💬
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Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing: What’s the Difference? 🔥🧠
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