Smoke testing
Also called: Build verification testing, BVT
A quick check of the most important features to decide if a build is stable enough to test further.
Definition
Smoke testing is a short, broad set of tests run on a new build to confirm that the critical functions work at all. If the smoke test fails, the build is rejected and deeper testing does not start. It is wide but shallow.
In practice
On a new build of a shopping app you check: the app launches, you can log in, search shows products, and you can open the cart. If login crashes, the build goes back to the developers.
Learn it in context
Lessons that use this term.
Related terms
- Sanity testingA quick, focused check that a specific fix or change works and nothing obvious around it broke.
- Regression testingRe-running tests to check that new changes didn't break things that used to work.
- BuildA specific compiled version of the app or website that is ready to be installed or tested.