Demystifying Smoke Testing: Ensuring the Stability of Your Build

The platform of smoke testing ensures that the build is being properly tested and that the crucial functionalities function as intended. A concise and fast regression test of essential functions is carried out by this testing method. The product is being demonstrated to know that it is being prepared for further tests and checks. 

The blocker bug can be found early on by performing smoke testing and thus preventing the test engineer from being idle. The independent testable modules can also be examined accordingly. In this article, you will get to know a detailed understanding of the significance of smoke testing. 

What is smoke testing?

It is a testing method wherein the fundamental aspects of a software program are tested in the initial stages of software development. Minor issues are identified and fixed. At a deeper level, smoke testing is conducted to also ensure whether the deployed software build is stable or not. The software's functionality is verified by executing a minimal collection of tests on every build. It is also known as build verification testing or confidence testing.

 

The right context to perform smoke testing:

When a new program version is developed and incorporated with an already deployed build in a staging or QA environment, then the need for conducting smoke testing comes into perspective. This testing method also verifies whether the key features of an application are functioning properly or not. 

The QA builds are deployed by the development team and the test cases are performed by testers on the build.

Built-in errors are revealed by this group of test cases. When these tests are successful then the QA team will start working on the functional testing.

 

The process of carrying out smoke testing:

1. Initiate the initial steps: Before a smoke test is executed, the required number of test cases needs to be ascertained. If the team is not able to ascertain the number of test cases, then there will be a delay in the progress of testing works. After the build has been successfully finished and before testing the application, setup processes need to be performed.

There might be a necessity to initiate a server, install licenses, database tables need to be set up or the files need to be copied to the right locations. Specific setup tasks needs to be finished after the completion of the build and before testing begins.

 

2. The smoke tests need to be developed: The test scripts and test cases need to be prepared by the team and the approach to the tests needs to be modified based on going with manual, automated or hybrid mode of testing. The test scripts need to be written after the decision has been made for the specific smoke tests that need to be performed.

The best practice of smoke testing is to use a single script. A single script enhances the versatility of testing.

 

3. Performing smoke tests: In this step, the smoke tests are executed on the build after they have been developed. Next, the outcomes can be evaluated. A single smoke test script can prove to be more beneficial. A build tool is used to launch the smoke test.

 

4. Final adjustments: Once the build passes the smoke test, then after the product can be sent for unit and functional testing. Revision is done, if the test is considered to be unsuccessful. Several smoke tests are conducted by teams during a development cycle. If additional adjustments need to be made to the product then they should be carried out by designers. 

 

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing smoke testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a globally renowned software testing services company that will provide you with tactical testing solutions that are in line with your project specific requirements.

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.