This document explains the differences between smoke testing and sanity testing in software development. Smoke testing verifies if critical application functions work and is performed on every new build, while sanity testing focuses on confirming that specific bug fixes work after changes. Both testing methodologies are essential for ensuring the stability and quality of software before release.

1. Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing: Understanding
the Key Differences
Among the most vital objectives of software testing is the question of stability and the
functionality of the applications to be delivered to the end users. Two common types of
testing techniques that are usually exercised or that can be included are known as
smoke testing and sanity testing. While these two processes may be confused for
each other, they differ in terms of their aims and steps. Namely, this blog post aims to
explain smoke and sanity testing and to distinguish them from one another so that you
can grasp their specific role in the software development life cycle.
What is Smoke Testing?
Smoke testing also referred to as build verification testing is usually performed to verify
whether the crucial functions within an application work or not. Smoke testing helps to
identify if all the important aspects of the application are working or not. Such testing

2. leads to the process of maintaining that a build is stable enough to proceed for further
and more intensive testing.
Key Characteristics of Smoke Testing: Key Characteristics of
Smoke Testing:
Basic and Shallow: The smoke test means that it checks the key functions of an
application without focusing on more details below.
Early Detection: As an advantage, it can pinpoint significant imperfections at an early
stage of development, hence cutting the costs and time factor.
Frequent Execution: Smoke tests are typically carried out on every new build when
there is no report of a particular problem, to proceed with other slightly detailed tests.
Pass/Fail Criteria: The result of a smoke testing is very simple: if the build passes the
smoke testing; it moves to other levels of test, but if it fails, it goes back to development
for rectification.
What is Sanity Testing?
Sanity testing, however, is another form of software testing carried out after receiving a
software build in which slight code changes or functionality are done to ensure that the
bugs have been fixed and no other new problem has been created because of such
alterations. Regression testing is a broad category of testing while sanity testing is an
element of regression testing that is used to confirm some of the functionalities.
Key Characteristics of Sanity Testing: Key Characteristics of Sanity
Testing:
Narrow and Deep: Sanity tests on the other hand go more in-depth in a certain
functionality or a certain module to check if it functions properly.
Post-Fix Validation: The sanity testing usually follows smoke testing and is mainly
aimed at confirming that particular problems no longer exist.
Selective and Targeted: It is not complete; repeat, it is selective and focuses on
specific zones of interest within the application.
Quick and Efficient: These tests are generally performed quickly and the main
objective of the sanity tests is to ensure that the functionalities are tested although not
to the extent.

3. Key Characteristics of Sanity Testing:
1. Narrow and Deep: Unlike smoke testing, sanity tests dive deep into specific
functionalities or modules to ensure they work as intended.
2. Post-Fix Validation: Sanity testing is typically conducted after a build has
passed smoke testing and focuses on verifying that specific issues have been
resolved.
3. Selective and Targeted: It is not comprehensive; instead, it targets particular
areas of concern within the application.
4. Quick and Efficient: Sanity tests are usually quick, allowing testers to validate
the functionality without performing exhaustive testing.
Key Differences Between Smoke Testing and Sanity Testing
1. Objective:
Smoke Testing: Ensures the basic and critical functionalities of the
application are working.
Sanity Testing: Verifies specific functionalities or bug fixes after changes
have been made to the code.
2. Scope:
Smoke Testing: Broad and shallow, covering major functionalities.
Sanity Testing: Narrow and deep, focusing on particular components or
features.
3. Execution Time:
Smoke Testing: Performed early in the testing phase, often on every new
build.
Sanity Testing: Conducted after smoke testing and after specific changes
or fixes have been applied.
4. Purpose:
Smoke Testing: Acts as a preliminary check to ensure the build is stable
enough for further testing.
Sanity Testing: Ensures that specific issues have been resolved and no
new issues have been introduced.

4. 5. Outcome:
Smoke Testing: Determines whether the build is stable for further testing.
Sanity Testing: Confirms that specific functionalities or bug fixes are
working correctly.
Conclusion
Smoke testing and sanity testing are conducted throughout software development to
ensure the solidity of the application and its functionality before releasing it to the end
user. While smoke testing is carried out as a primary gauge of building stability sanity
testing on the other hand targets distinct alterations or remedies. Awareness of the
differences between these two testing methodologies ensures they are properly applied
prior to effect improvement on the quality of software and the ease of development on a
team.
Thus, with the help of both smoke and sanity testing, the development teams can
make sure that the important issues are detected during the early phases of the
process, and fixes, if needed, are verified promptly to guarantee the quality of the final
product to the end-users.