Smoke Testing: A Real-World Example for Testers

Smoke testing is a preliminary test performed on a new build to verify its basic stability. It ensures that the core functionalities of the application are working as expected before proceeding to detailed testing. Smoke testing acts as a "quick health check" for the software.

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Key Characteristics:

1. Broad and Shallow: Covers major functionalities without going into details.
2. Executed on Every Build: Ensures the build is stable enough for further testing.
3. Automation or Manual: Can be done manually or with automation tools.

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Real-Time Example:

Scenario:

Suppose you’re testing a web-based e-commerce application, and a new build has been delivered after adding a new "wishlist" feature.

Steps:

1. Verify the Core Features:

   • Check if the homepage loads properly.
   • Test whether the login and registration functionality works.
   • Ensure the product search feature is functional.
   • Confirm that the product details page displays correctly.
   • Validate that the cart and checkout process are accessible.

2. Verify the New Feature (Wishlist):

   • Check if users can add items to the wishlist.
   • Confirm that items in the wishlist can be viewed later.
   • Ensure the wishlist does not impact existing features like adding items to the cart.

3. Outcome:

   • If all core functionalities and the new feature work, the build is declared stable, and detailed testing (functional, regression, etc.) can begin.
   • If any major feature fails (e.g., the login doesn’t work), the build is rejected, and testing is halted until fixes are made.

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Example in Practice:

During smoke testing, you focus on ensuring the basic stability of the application. You don’t delve into edge cases or performance details—those are handled in later stages.