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Smoke testing can be performed by various individuals or teams, including:

 

1. Quality Assurance (QA) Engineers

2. Test Engineers

3. Development Teams

4. DevOps Teams

5. Automation Testers

6. Manual Testers

7. Release Managers

8. Scrum Masters

9. Product Owners

10. Technical Leads

 

In some cases, smoke testing may also be performed by:

 

1. Independent Testing Teams

2. Third-Party Testing Vendors

3. Consultants

 

The specific individual or team responsible for performing smoke testing may vary depending on the organization, project, and testing needs.

 

In general, smoke testing is often performed by those who are closest to the development process and have a deep understanding of the application's functionality and requirements.

 

Do you have any further questions about who performs smoke testing?

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_An API Smoke Test:_

 

An API smoke test should consist of a series of high-level tests that verify the API's critical functionalities and overall stability. Here are some essential components to include:

 

1. _Authentication and Authorization_: Test authentication mechanisms, such as API keys, tokens, or credentials, to ensure proper access control.

2. _Endpoint Verification_: Test each API endpoint to ensure it returns the expected response, including:

    - HTTP status codes (200, 404, 500, etc.)

    - Response headers

    - Response body (JSON, XML, etc.)

3. _Request and Response Formats_: Verify that the API accepts and returns data in the expected formats (JSON, XML, etc.).

4. _Data Validation_: Test data validation for each endpoint, including:

    - Input validation

    - Output validation

5. _Error Handling_: Test error handling mechanisms, including:

    - Error codes

    - Error messages

    - Exception handling

6. _Performance and Scalability_: Perform basic performance and scalability tests, such as:

    - Response times

    - Throughput

    - Resource utilization

7. _Security_: Test basic security measures, such as:

    - SSL/TLS encryption

    - Input sanitization

    - Rate limiting

8. _Documentation and Schema Compliance_: Verify that the API documentation and schema (OpenAPI, Swagger, etc.) match the actual API behavior.

 

_Scope and Depth:_

 

Keep in mind that a smoke test should be a high-level, quick, and focused test suite. It's not meant to be an exhaustive or detailed test, but rather a sanity check to ensure the API is functioning as expected.

 

_Example:_

 

For a simple API with two endpoints, `/users` and `/orders`, a smoke test might include:

 

1. Test authentication with a valid API key

2. Verify `/users` returns a list of users with expected fields (e.g., `id`, `name`, `email`)

3. Verify `/orders` returns a list of orders with expected fields (e.g., `id`, `user_id`, `total`)

4. Test error handling by sending an invalid request to `/users`

5. Verify response times are within acceptable limits (< 500ms)

 

Remember to keep your smoke test concise and focused on critical functionalities.

 

Do you have any further questions about API smoke testing?

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_Regression, Sanity, and Smoke Testing: Key Differences_

 

Regression, sanity, and smoke testing are three types of software testing techniques that serve distinct purposes. Here's a brief overview of each:

 

1. _Regression Testing_:

    - Purpose: Ensure that changes or fixes did not introduce new defects or affect existing functionality.

    - Scope: Test the entire application or system, focusing on areas affected by changes.

    - Depth: In-depth testing, covering various scenarios and user journeys.

    - Frequency: Performed after changes, fixes, or updates.

2. _Sanity Testing_:

    - Purpose: Verify that the application or system is working as expected, with a focus on overall functionality and user experience.

    - Scope: Test the entire application or system, covering critical functionalities.

    - Depth: High-level testing, focusing on user journeys and workflows.

    - Frequency: Performed after a build or deployment, or when time is limited.

3. _Smoke Testing_:

    - Purpose: Quickly verify that the application or system is stable and functional, focusing on critical functionalities.

    - Scope: Limited to critical functionalities and high-risk areas.

    - Depth: High-level testing, focusing on basic functionality.

    - Frequency: Performed immediately after a build or deployment, or as part of continuous integration.

 

_Key differences:_

 

1. *Purpose*: Regression testing ensures changes didn't introduce new defects, sanity testing verifies overall functionality, and smoke testing checks critical functionalities.

2. *Scope*: Regression testing covers the entire application, sanity testing focuses on critical functionalities, and smoke testing is limited to high-risk areas.

3. *Depth*: Regression testing is in-depth, sanity testing is high-level, and smoke testing is basic.

4. *Frequency*: Regression testing is performed after changes, sanity testing after a build or deployment, and smoke testing immediately after a build or deployment.

 

By understanding these differences, you can apply the right testing technique at the right time to ensure your software application or system meets the required quality standards.

 

Do you have any further questions about regression, sanity, and smoke testing?

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_Examples of Sanity Testing and Smoke Testing:_

 

*Sanity Testing Example:*

 

Suppose we have an e-commerce application with the following critical functionalities:

 

1. User login

2. Product search

3. Add to cart

4. Checkout

 

A sanity test for this application might include:

 

1. Verify user login with valid credentials

2. Search for a product and verify results

3. Add a product to the cart and verify cart contents

4. Complete the checkout process

 

This sanity test ensures the application's critical functionalities are working as expected.

 

*Smoke Testing Example:*

 

For the same e-commerce application, a smoke test might include:

 

1. Verify the application launches correctly

2. Check the login page is accessible

3. Verify the search bar is functional

4. Check the cart icon is displayed

 

This smoke test quickly verifies the application's basic functionality and critical components are working.

 

Note the difference in scope and depth between sanity and smoke testing:

 

- Sanity testing covers more functionalities and user journeys

- Smoke testing focuses on basic functionality and critical components

 

These examples illustrate the distinct purposes and approaches of sanity testing and smoke testing.

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_Origin of the Term "Smoke Testing":_

 

The term "smoke testing" comes from the plumbing industry, where plumbers would use smoke to test pipes for leaks. They would fill the pipes with smoke and then observe if any smoke escaped, indicating a leak.

 

In software testing, the term "smoke testing" was adopted to describe a quick and high-level testing process that checks if the application is stable and functional enough to proceed with further testing.

 

Just like plumbers using smoke to detect leaks, software testers use smoke testing to detect critical issues or "leaks" in the application's functionality.

 

_The Analogy:_

 

Smoke testing in software testing is analogous to the plumbing industry's smoke testing in the following ways:

 

1. *Quick and high-level*: Just as plumbers use smoke to quickly detect leaks, software testers use smoke testing to quickly verify critical functionalities.

2. *Detecting critical issues*: Both smoke testing methods aim to detect critical issues or "leaks" that could cause further problems if left unchecked.

3. *Early detection*: Smoke testing in both contexts helps detect issues early, saving time and resources in the long run.

 

The term "smoke testing" has been adopted across various industries, including software testing, to describe a quick and high-level testing process that checks for critical issues or "leaks".

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Typically, detailed test cases are not written for smoke testing. Instead, a high-level smoke testing plan or checklist is created to cover the critical functionalities and basic features of the application. However, it's common to have some documentation, such as: 1. *Smoke Testing Plan*: A brief document outlining the scope, approach, and critical functionalities to be tested. 2. *Smoke Testing Checklist*: A concise checklist of critical features and functionalities to be verified. 3. *High-Level Test Scenarios*: Brief test scenarios or test ideas that outline the critical functionalities to be tested. These documents are usually brief and focus on the most critical aspects of the application. The goal is to quickly verify the application's stability and basic functionality, rather than to create exhaustive test cases. In some cases, teams may reuse existing test cases or create simplified test cases for smoke testing. However, this is not always necessary, and the focus is on quick, high-level testing rather than detailed test case execution. read less

_Sewer Smoke Testing:_

 

Sewer smoke testing is a diagnostic technique used to detect leaks, defects, and illegal connections in sewer systems. The process involves pumping a non-toxic, odorless smoke into the sewer lines, usually through a manhole or cleanout. The smoke then flows through the sewer pipes, and any leaks or defects are identified by observing where the smoke escapes.

 

_Smoke Testing Process:_

 

1. Pre-testing: Identify the area to be tested and ensure safety measures are in place.

2. Smoke Generation: Pump smoke into the sewer lines using specialized equipment.

3. Observation: Observe where the smoke escapes, indicating leaks or defects.

4. Documentation: Record the location and severity of leaks or defects.

 

_Purpose of Sewer Smoke Testing:_

 

1. Identify leaks and defects in sewer lines.

2. Detect illegal connections (e.g., stormwater or sump pumps connected to sanitary sewers).

3. Locate sources of inflow and infiltration (I/I) in sewer systems.

4. Prioritize repairs and maintenance.

 

_Sewer Smoke Testing Benefits:_

 

1. Quick and cost-effective

2. Non-invasive and non-destructive

3. Helps prioritize repairs and maintenance

4. Enhances sewer system performance and reduces overflows

 

By using sewer smoke testing, municipalities and utilities can efficiently identify and address issues in their sewer systems, ultimately improving public health and environmental protection.

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In software system testing, a "smoke test" is a high-level test that checks the overall health and stability of a software application or system. The term "smoke test" comes from the idea of turning on a piece of electrical equipment and checking to see if it starts smoking, indicating a serious problem. _In Software Testing:_ A smoke test is a brief, surface-level test that verifies that the most critical functionalities of a software application or system are working as expected. It's a quick check to ensure that the application is not "on fire" or critically broken. _Goals of Smoke Testing:_ The primary goals of smoke testing are to: 1. _Verify build integrity_: Ensure that the build or deployment is complete and correct. 2. _Detect critical defects_: Identify critical defects that could prevent the software from functioning correctly. 3. _Reduce testing time_: Focus on the most critical functionalities and reduce the overall testing time. _Characteristics of Smoke Testing:_ 1. _High-level testing_: Smoke testing involves high-level tests that focus on the most critical functionalities of the software. 2. _Limited scope_: Smoke testing has a limited scope, focusing on the most critical features and functionalities. 3. _Quick execution_: Smoke tests are designed to be executed quickly, typically in a matter of minutes or hours. 4. _Automated testing_: Smoke testing is often automated, using scripts and tools to execute the tests. _Example of Smoke Test:_ A smoke test for a web application might involve: 1. Logging in to the application 2. Verifying that the home page loads correctly 3. Checking that the navigation menu is working correctly 4. Verifying that a simple search query returns results By performing smoke testing, you can quickly identify critical issues and ensure that your software application or system is stable and functional. Do you have any further questions about smoke testing? read less

Smoke testing is typically done before production release, as a final check to ensure that the software application is stable and functional enough to be released to end-users. _Smoke Testing:_ Smoke testing is a type of testing that involves a series of high-level tests to ensure that the most critical functionalities of a software application are working as expected. The goal of smoke testing is to verify that the build or deployment is stable and functional enough to continue testing. _Purpose of Smoke Testing:_ The purpose of smoke testing is to: 1. _Verify build integrity_: Ensure that the build or deployment is complete and correct. 2. _Detect critical defects_: Identify critical defects that could prevent the software from functioning correctly. 3. _Reduce testing time_: Focus on the most critical functionalities and reduce the overall testing time. _Timing of Smoke Testing:_ Smoke testing is typically performed: 1. _After unit testing and integration testing_: Once the individual units of code have been tested and integrated, smoke testing is performed to ensure that the build is stable. 2. _Before system testing and acceptance testing_: Smoke testing is performed before more extensive testing, such as system testing and acceptance testing, to ensure that the software is stable enough for further testing. 3. _Before production release_: Smoke testing is performed as a final check before releasing the software to production, to ensure that it meets the required standards. By performing smoke testing before production release, you can ensure that your software application is stable, functional, and meets the required standards, reducing the risk of defects and errors in production. Do you have any further questions about smoke testing or its timing? read less