Ever rolled out a new software build only to find it crashes or breaks key features? We've all been there. Before diving into deeper testing, it's crucial to ensure that the core functions are up and running. That's where smoke testing comes in—it acts as a quick check to catch major issues right off the bat.

In this post, we'll dive into what smoke testing is all about in software development. We'll explore how it works, different types and execution methods, and how it stacks up against other testing approaches. Plus, we'll share some best practices to make your smoke testing as effective as possible. Let's jump in!

Understanding smoke testing in software development

Smoke testing is basically giving your new software build a quick once-over to make sure it's not completely broken. The term comes from hardware testing—if you power on a device and it doesn't start smoking, you're off to a good start! In software development, smoke testing helps catch critical issues early on.

We typically perform smoke testing right after deploying a new build. If it passes this preliminary test, we can move on to more in-depth testing stages. Think of smoke testing as the gatekeeper preventing fundamentally flawed builds from clogging up the development pipeline.

In the software development lifecycle, smoke testing is the first line of defense. It makes sure the core functionalities are working as they should. By catching major problems early, smoke testing saves us time and resources down the line.

You can do smoke testing manually or automate it using pre-written scripts. Automated smoke testing is especially handy when you're dealing with frequent builds and continuous integration. It gives you faster feedback and helps keep things stable. Platforms like Statsig can integrate seamlessly into your workflow to automate these tests.

But remember, smoke testing doesn't cover everything. It focuses on the most critical functions and gives you a surface-level assessment. You'll still need more comprehensive testing, like regression testing and exploratory testing, to ensure the overall quality of your software.

Types and execution of smoke testing

Smoke testing comes in three main flavors: manual, automated, and hybrid. Manual smoke testing involves human testers manually running test cases. Automated smoke testing uses software tools to speed things up. A hybrid approach combines the best of both worlds.

Executing smoke tests typically involves deciding on your testing approach, creating testing scenarios, developing smoke tests, running them, and analyzing the results. Smoke testing usually happens after developers deliver a new build. You can execute it manually or automate it using scripts.

If the smoke test passes, the software moves on to further testing, like unit and integration tests. If it fails, that's a signal of a significant flaw. Further tests are halted until the issue is fixed. The cycle starts with a build from the development team, followed by an initial smoke test by QA. Pass, and you move forward. Fail, and it's back to the devs for more work.

Smoke testing versus other testing methods

Smoke testing is often confused with sanity testing and regression testing, but they're not the same. Smoke testing checks the stability of a new build. Sanity testing checks specific functionalities after changes, and regression testing ensures existing features still work after modifications.

Smoke testing is usually done first, acting as a gatekeeper for further testing. If the build passes, it moves on to more rigorous testing stages. Sanity and regression tests are more focused and detailed, honing in on specific areas.

Smoke testing complements other testing strategies by catching major issues early. This saves time and resources by preventing flawed builds from advancing. It lays the foundation for a comprehensive testing process, ensuring only stable builds undergo in-depth testing.

Best practices for effective smoke testing

Implementing automation tools is key to streamlining your smoke testing process. Automated smoke tests can be run quickly and frequently, providing rapid feedback on build stability. Tools like Selenium and Cypress enable efficient automation of smoke tests.

To overcome the limitations of smoke testing—like limited coverage—it's essential to strategically select critical functionalities for testing. Prioritize core features and high-risk areas to ensure the most important parts are thoroughly tested. Additionally, complement smoke testing with other techniques like exploratory testing to catch edge cases and usability issues.

Integrating smoke testing into your continuous integration (CI) pipeline is a best practice for effective testing. By incorporating smoke tests into the CI process, you can automatically trigger them whenever a new build is deployed. This ensures any major issues are caught early, preventing unstable builds from progressing further.

Keeping your smoke test suite well-organized is also crucial. Group test cases logically based on functionality or modules. This makes it easier to manage and maintain the suite as your application evolves. Regularly review and update your smoke tests to keep them aligned with the latest changes.

Collaboration between development and testing teams is vital for successful smoke testing. Developers should help define critical functionalities and create test cases. Testers should provide feedback on the effectiveness of smoke tests and suggest improvements. Fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement enhances the overall quality of smoke testing.

At Statsig, we believe that integrating effective testing practices like smoke testing can dramatically improve your development workflow.

Closing thoughts

Smoke testing is an essential step in ensuring your software builds are stable and ready for further testing. By catching major issues early, you save time, resources, and prevent headaches down the road. Implementing best practices like automation, strategic test selection, and team collaboration can make your smoke testing process even more effective.

Want to learn more about improving your software testing strategies? Check out our resources at Statsig to see how we can help streamline your development process. Hope you found this helpful!