What is meant by 'smoke test' in software system testing?

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