SMOKE TEST Meaning and
Definition
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A smoke test refers to a quick and preliminary test or assessment conducted on a product, software, or system to determine its basic functionality and identify major flaws, bugs, or errors. It is a high-level verification process performed without diving into the finer details or extensive testing procedures.
The term "smoke test" is derived from the fact that when a device, system, or software is first turned on, it should not emit any smoke, indicating that basic functions are working correctly and there are no serious issues. Although it does not guarantee a comprehensive testing of all the features or complete absence of errors, a smoke test alerts testers or developers about any critical failures or fundamental glitches that may hamper the smooth operation of the product.
Typically, a smoke test entails executing a collection of basic, simple, and essential test cases to ascertain if the system is stable enough for more rigorous and exhaustive testing. It validates the system's core functionalities, such as its ability to launch, load components, or perform essential actions. If the smoke test yields positive results, it implies that the software or system is ready for further testing, including more thorough and comprehensive test suites.
Overall, a smoke test acts as an initial screening checkpoint to identify significant defects or issues in a product, system, or software, saving time and effort by quickly identifying critical flaws at an early stage.
Etymology of SMOKE TEST
The term "smoke test" emerged in the early 20th century in the context of electrical engineering. It originally referred to a test conducted on new wiring installations. During these tests, a device called a "smoke generator" was used to send a small amount of smoke into the wiring system. The presence of smoke indicated that the wiring was correctly installed and connected, and there were no major faults or short circuits. If the test failed and smoke didn't emerge, it meant that there were issues that needed to be resolved before the system could be considered safe.
Over time, the concept of a smoke test began to be applied in other fields such as software development. In this context, a smoke test refers to a quick and basic test to determine if a software application or system is working as expected. Similar to the electrical wiring test, a smoke test in software development is designed to detect major issues that would prevent the software from functioning properly.
