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4.3.2 - Smoke Testing

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Introduction to Smoke Testing

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, let's explore smoke testing. Smoke testing serves as a sort of health check for a software build, checking the vital functionalities quickly. Can anyone tell me what they think the main purpose of smoke testing is?

Student 1
Student 1

Isn't it to ensure that the software is stable enough for further testing?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! It helps us quickly identify major flaws in the application. Now, what are some critical functionalities we might test during a smoke test?

Student 2
Student 2

Logging in and loading the homepage, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! We often check the most essential features first. Remember, smoke testing is not about catching every bug but confirming that the build isn't fundamentally flawed. Let’s summarize: smoke testing checks core functionalities quickly and efficiently.

When to Conduct Smoke Testing

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Teacher
Teacher

Now that we know what smoke testing is, when do we actually conduct it? Can anyone think of a scenario?

Student 3
Student 3

Right after a new build is deployed?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! We conduct smoke tests after every new build, before any in-depth testing. Why do you think this is essential?

Student 4
Student 4

To avoid wasting time on testing if the build is already broken?

Teacher
Teacher

You got it! If the core features fail, it's better to fix those issues promptly before diving deeper. A good mnemonic to remember: B.A.S.I.C — Build Assessment for Stability in Configuration.

Student 1
Student 1

So, smoke tests help ensure our testing efforts are focused only when necessary!

Smoke Testing vs. Other Testing Types

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s compare smoke testing with other types, like sanity testing. What do you think is the main difference?

Student 1
Student 1

Sanity testing is more focused, right? Like checking specific functionalities after a bug fix?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Smoke testing checks if the basic functionalities work post-deployment, while sanity testing verifies that a particular bug has been fixed. Here’s a memory aid: S.S.D — Smoke, Stability, and Deployment. Remember this!

Student 4
Student 4

Got it! So both kinds of testing serve different purposes in the process.

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! Smoke testing ensures readiness; sanity testing confirms accuracy for specific issues. Each plays a vital role in quality assurance.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

Smoke testing is a preliminary test to evaluate the basic functionality of a software build before further testing is conducted.

Standard

This section explains smoke testing as a rapid set of checks performed on a software build to ensure that essential functionalities work as expected. It provides examples, highlights key concepts, and distinguishes smoke testing from other types of testing.

Detailed

Smoke Testing

Smoke testing is a quick and superficial test executed to verify that the critical functions of a software application are working properly after a new build or deployment. It essentially acts as an initial checkpoint that assesses whether the build is stable enough for more thorough testing. Common functionalities evaluated during smoke tests include whether users can log in, if the homepage loads correctly, and other core features that must function for the application to be usable.

The term 'smoke test' derives from the hardware testing field, where the phrase describes whether something ‘smokes’ when powered on, indicating a fundamental flaw.

Key Points:
- Smoke testing ensures that the critical aspects of a system are operational before proceeding with more exhaustive testing sessions such as functional testing or regression testing.
- It is generally automated, especially in large projects for efficiency, but can also be performed manually in smaller or less complex systems.
- Smoke tests are crucial in agile development methodologies, allowing for rapid feedback loops. They provide a quick way to ascertain whether the latest changes adherence to expected operational standards without undertaking a comprehensive testing cycle.

Audio Book

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Purpose of Smoke Testing

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Purpose: A quick set of tests to ensure the core system is stable enough for further testing.

Detailed Explanation

Smoke testing is a preliminary check performed on a software build to assess its basic functionality. The primary goal is to determine whether the important aspects of the software are working correctly after the build. Essentially, it's a fast, surface-level test that checks if the application has any critical failure that would prevent further testing.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you buy a new car. Before taking it for a long drive, you start the engine, check if the headlights work, and ensure that it can move forward. This initial check is similar to smoke testing; it assures you that the essential parts of the car are functioning before you explore its features further.

Examples of Smoke Testing

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Example: Can users log in? Can the homepage load?

Detailed Explanation

In smoke testing, specific scenarios or functionalities are tested to confirm that the core aspects of the application are operational. Some common examples include verifying if users can log in successfully and if the homepage of the application loads without errors. These basic checks provide a quick confirmation that the application is indeed functional at its core.

Examples & Analogies

Think of it as checking your email before a big presentation. Before diving into the details of your slides, you just check if your email application opens and that you can log in. If it doesn't open, you know there’s a significant problem that needs fixing; hence you wouldn't proceed with anything else until that is resolved.

Analogy for Smoke Testing

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Analogy: “Does the build smoke when turned on?”

Detailed Explanation

The analogy of 'smoke' in smoke testing relates to the software build's health status. Just like a device might emit smoke if there’s a fundamental issue upon powering it on, a software build should also not exhibit any critical failures when undergoing smoke testing. If there are issues—like error messages during the login check—it’s a sign that the build is not stable and might be hazardous to test further.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a home appliance like a toaster. When you plug it in and turn it on, if it starts to smoke, you know there's a serious problem. Similarly, if during smoke testing, something fails, it's an immediate red flag that the build cannot be further tested without being fixed.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Smoke Testing: A rapid preliminary check of software functionalities.

  • Stability Check: Ensures that core features perform correctly before deep testing.

  • Functionality Check: Focuses on essential actions like logging in or homepage loading.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Checking if users can log into the application following a new build.

  • Verifying that all primary buttons on the homepage respond as expected.

Memory Aids

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🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Smoke it, poke it, make sure it’s stable, or else deeper testing won't be able.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a chef checking the oven's heat before baking a cake. If the oven doesn't fire up, the cake won’t rise—just like if the software can't log in, deeper tests can't proceed.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • B.A.S.I.C to remember: Build Assessment for Stability in Configuration for smoke testing!

🎯 Super Acronyms

S.S.D - Smoke, Stability, Deployment summarizes quick checks before deep dives.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Smoke Testing

    Definition:

    A preliminary test to check the basic and essential functionalities of a software build before proceeding to deeper testing.

  • Term: Sanity Testing

    Definition:

    A focused set of tests to verify that specific functionalities work correctly after changes are made.

  • Term: Build

    Definition:

    A version of the software that is ready for testing after development.

  • Term: Functionality

    Definition:

    The specific behavior or action of the software that supports its purpose.