Smoke Testing vs Regression Testing – Top 6 Key Differences

We can travel through Smoke Testing vs Regression Testing, where the differences between the two can seem as thick as smoke! If you’re looking for the differences between these two tests, you’ve come to the right place. So, light up your favorite testing pipe, and let’s start!

This article provides an in-depth exploration of Smoke Testing vs Regression Testing concepts.

Smoke Testing and Regression Testing

Actually, developers use Smoke testing to assess the stability of an application’s initial build. It is a preliminary test that helps identify significant issues that may prevent the application from being used.

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“Regression testing is like trying on the same pair of jeans every time you shop to ensure they still fit!”Technically, Regression Testing verifies that the software performs well after being changed or interfaced with other previously developed and tested software. Confirm that any changes to the existing codebase have not introduced new bugs or regressions.

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Smoke Testing vs Regression Testing: Difference Between Smoke Testing and Regression Testing

Listed below some difference between smoke and regression testing.

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Components	Smoke Testing	Regression Testing
Definition	Smoke testing is a non-exhaustive software test verifying that a program’s most important functions work.	Regression testing verifies that previously developed and tested software still performs correctly after it is changed or interfaced with other software.
Goals	Smoking testing aims to ensure that the software’s main functions are working correctly.	Regression testing ensures that changes or updates have not created unexpected effects in other software parts.
Scope	Smoke tests are limited in scope and only cover the most basic functions of the software.	Regression tests cover a much wider scope and can include all areas of the software, including features that may not have been changed.
Time Required	Smoke tests can be completed relatively quickly.	Regression tests can take longer as they cover more areas of the software.
Frequency	Smoke testing is usually done at the start of a software development cycle and sometimes during integration testing.	Regression testing is usually done after software elements have been changed or updated.
Test Cases	Smoke testing often uses a limited set of test cases.	Regression testing typically uses a large set of test cases.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, Smoke Testing and Regression Testing may have some key differences, but they have the same end goal: ensuring the software you use works as expected. Some points to remember:

1. Smoke Testing is essential for quickly detecting major defects at the early stages of development.
2. Regression Testing is essential for ensuring that all changes have been successfully implemented and that there are no unexpected errors in previously stable features before the changes.

Suggested Readings

What is Smoke testing? – A Detailed Guide

Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing 

Regression Test vs Unit Test: Key Differences

Regression Testing Guide for Modern Agile Teams