Difference between regression, sanity and smoke tests

 

Smoke Testing:

Purpose: Immediate check for major issues in a new build.

What it does: Tests basic functionalities to see if the build is stable.

Example: Testing if a website loads and basic links work right after a new version is built.

Sanity Testing:

Purpose: Quick check if the build is okay for more testing.

What it does: Tests key features to see if they're working roughly.

Example: Checking if a game's main menu and basic gameplay work before detailed testing.

Regression Testing:

Purpose: Ensure existing features still work after changes.

What it does: Re-runs old tests to check if nothing broke.

Example: Making sure an app's login still works after adding new features.