Quick Checks for Software Sanity (Sanity Testing )

 

Introduction:

Sanity testing, often referred to as "smoke testing" or "build verification testing," is a crucial phase in the software testing process. It involves a set of quick and essential checks to ensure that the software build is stable and ready for further testing. In this guide, we'll elaborate on the objectives, execution, and key considerations for performing sanity testing effectively.

Objectives of Sanity Testing:

The primary objectives of sanity testing include:

1. Verification of Recent Changes:
   • Ensure that functionalities or areas of the software undergoing recent changes are working as expected.
   • Confirm that critical features have not been negatively impacted by recent code modifications.

Execution Steps for Sanity Testing:

Perform sanity testing using the following steps:

1. Selection of Test Cases:
   • Choose a subset of test cases covering core functionalities, with a focus on areas of recent changes or fixes.
2. Quick Execution:
   • Execute selected test cases swiftly, emphasizing major issue identification over exhaustive testing.
3. Environment Setup:
   • Ensure the testing environment is correctly set up, including necessary configurations and dependencies.
4. Dependency Check:
   • Verify the availability and proper integration of all necessary dependencies and components.
5. Basic Functionality Testing:
   • Validate basic functionalities quickly to ensure they work without major issues.
6. Integration with Other Modules:
   • Check for proper integration with other modules or systems, ensuring correct data flow.
7. Data Validations:
   • Validate input and output data to confirm correct data processing.
8. Error Handling:
   • Check how the application handles errors and exceptions, ensuring clear and informative error messages.
9. User Interface (UI) Testing:
   • Verify visual elements and the user interface, ensuring the layout, design, and navigation remain intact.
10. Compatibility Check:
    • If applicable, perform a quick check for compatibility on different platforms or browsers.
11. Performance Check:
    • Execute quick performance tests to ensure recent changes haven't significantly impacted system performance.
12. Documentation Review:
    • Review updated documentation to ensure alignment with recent changes.
13. Regression Testing:
    • While not exhaustive, perform some regression testing to catch unexpected side effects of recent changes.
14. Logging and Monitoring:
    • Check if logs and monitoring mechanisms are in place and functioning correctly.
15. Communication:
    • Communicate findings promptly with the development team, especially for critical issues.

Conclusion:

While sanity testing does not replace comprehensive testing, it serves as a quick check to determine if the software is stable enough for more extensive testing. By following the outlined objectives and execution steps, teams can efficiently identify showstopper issues early in the development cycle, contributing to a more robust software testing process.