Day 21: Smoke, Sanity, Regression Testing
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Introduction to Smoke Testing
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Today, we will discuss smoke testing, one of the primary testing methods in QA. Smoke testing effectively verifies whether major features are functioning properly. Imagine it like a quick health check-up for the software. Can anyone tell me what comes to mind when they hear 'smoke testing'?
I think it's to ensure that the application runs without crashing, right?
Exactly! We check that key functionalities, like login or basic navigation, work as expected. It's all about confirming stability before deeper testing. A mnemonic to remember this is 'SMOKE: Start My Overall QA Experience.'
What do we do if the smoke test fails?
Great question! If it fails, we stop further testing and address the issues before proceeding. Smoke tests capitalize on efficiency. Let's summarize: it verifies core functionality quickly. Any questions?
Understanding Sanity Testing
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Now, letβs talk about sanity testing. Unlike smoke testing, sanity testing is narrow and deep. Itβs used to verify that specific bugs are resolved or specific functionalities work after changes. Can someone explain why this might be important in a project?
It would help ensure that the fix for a bug actually works and nothing else is broken because of it.
Exactly! Sanity testing is crucial to ensure that a recently modified part of the software is functional. A mnemonic to remember sanity testing is 'SANE: Specific Areas Needing Evaluation.' Letβs move into some practical examplesβwho can give one?
If a bug related to the payment process was fixed, a sanity test would involve checking just that process again.
Correct! Letβs summarize: sanity testing targets specific functionalities, especially after fixes are made.
The Role of Regression Testing
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Finally, we have regression testing. This testing ensures that new code changes have not affected existing functionality, which is essential in maintaining software integrity. Why do you think regression testing is particularly important in software development?
Because new features can often break existing features, and we want to avoid that at all costs.
Exactly! Regression testing safeguards our applicationβs overall functionality after updates. A good way to remember its importance is with the acronym 'SAFE: Safeguarding Application Functionality Everywhere.' Now, who can summarize what weβve talked about today?
Sure! Smoke testing checks the main features, sanity testing is about verifying fixes, and regression testing ensures existing features still work after new changes.
Perfect summary! Keep these concepts in mind, as they are foundational in our QA practices.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
The section delves into the differences and purposes of smoke testing, sanity testing, and regression testing in the software development lifecycle, emphasizing their roles in validating software functionality after updates or modifications.
Detailed
Day 21: Smoke, Sanity, Regression Testing
Overview
This section highlights the differences and importance of three key testing methodologies in quality assurance: smoke testing, sanity testing, and regression testing. Each of these testing types serves a distinct purpose in ensuring software quality and functionality, especially following changes or updates.
Smoke Testing
Smoke testing is a preliminary test that checks the major functionalities of an application to ensure they work as intended. It's often referred to as a 'build verification test' since it determines if a newly built software version is stable enough for further testing.
Sanity Testing
Sanity testing is a focused and shallow testing approach performed after receiving a software build to ascertain that a specific function or bug has been fixed. It verifies that the changes made are effective and determine if the system is stable enough for more rigorous testing.
Regression Testing
Regression testing involves checking that existing functionality has not been adversely affected by recent changes (like new features, bug fixes, or enhancements). Its primary aim is to ensure that new code changes do not disrupt the existing features.
Importance
Understanding and applying these testing types is critical for maintaining software quality and ensuring a smooth user experience. This sectionβs emphasis is on enhancing the QA professionalβs toolkit with these essential testing strategies.
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Smoke Testing
Chapter 1 of 3
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Chapter Content
β’ Smoke Testing: Verifies major features work.
Detailed Explanation
Smoke testing is a preliminary test conducted to check the basic functionality of a software application. It's often the first step before more in-depth testing and ensures that the most critical features work properly. This type of testing is akin to checking if the lights turn on before inspecting the entire wiring system.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine youβve just bought a new television. Before you set everything up to watch your favorite show, youβd plug it in and check if the screen lights up and responds to the remote. This basic check is similar to smoke testing.
Sanity Testing
Chapter 2 of 3
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Chapter Content
β’ Sanity Testing: Checks specific fixes.
Detailed Explanation
Sanity testing is performed after we receive a software build with minor changes in code. Its purpose is to verify that the bugs reported earlier are fixed and that the new changes do not introduce new bugs in the functionality that was previously tested. Unlike smoke testing, which checks if the software is stable enough to proceed, sanity testing focuses on specific areas of the software to confirm the correctness of specific fixes.
Examples & Analogies
Continuing with the television analogy, after replacing a malfunctioning remote, you'd want to quickly test if the new remote works with the television. This focused test to confirm that the specific issue was resolved aligns with the concept of sanity testing.
Regression Testing
Chapter 3 of 3
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Chapter Content
β’ Regression Testing: Ensures new changes donβt break existing functionality.
Detailed Explanation
Regression testing is conducted to confirm that a recent program or code change has not adversely affected existing features. Whenever changes are made to the code, regression testing helps ensure that previously working functionality continues to operate as expected. This is crucial because new changes can sometimes inadvertently introduce bugs into established features.
Examples & Analogies
Think of regression testing as similar to renovating a room in your house. While you may be updating the kitchen, you want to ensure that the plumbing in the bathroom remains functional after the work. You might check that the sink drains properly after the renovation to confirm that the fixes do not disrupt other areas of your home.
Key Concepts
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Smoke Testing: A quick assessment of core functionalities.
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Sanity Testing: Focused testing of specific changes or bug fixes.
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Regression Testing: Ensuring existing features remain functional after updates.
Examples & Applications
A smoke test might include checking if the login page loads and allows users to log in.
A sanity test checks whether the 'Add to Cart' feature works after a fix has been applied.
A regression test verifies that payment processing remains operational after introducing a new feature.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Smoke testing, don't take a blunder, check the features as we ponder.
Stories
Once in a land of codes, developers built a stronghold. But without smoke testing, it crumbled. They learned it was vital to verify the major doors before deeper digs.
Memory Tools
Remember SANITY for Sanity Testing: Specifics Are Needing Inspection Today.
Acronyms
SAFE
Safeguarding Application Functionality Everywhere for Regression Testing.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Smoke Testing
A preliminary test to check major functionalities of an application to determine if it is stable enough for further testing.
- Sanity Testing
A quick check to verify that a specific function or bug has been fixed after modifications.
- Regression Testing
The process of re-testing existing functionality to ensure that new code changes have not adversely affected it.
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