Sanity testing, also known as sanity check or build verification testing, is a subset of software regression testing. It is performed to quickly evaluate whether the application’s major functionalities are working as expected after a minor change or a limited set of modifications.
The purpose of sanity testing is not to conduct an exhaustive or comprehensive test of all features but to verify that the critical functions or areas of the software have not been significantly impacted by the recent changes. It helps in ensuring that the software is stable enough for further testing and that major defects or issues have not been introduced during the modifications.
Sanity testing is often conducted manually and focuses on key functionalities or areas of the application that are likely to be affected by the recent changes. It is a quick and targeted check that helps save time and effort by identifying any obvious or critical problems early on, before proceeding with more extensive testing.
Overall, sanity testing provides a basic level of confidence in the software’s stability and helps in deciding whether to proceed with additional testing or to address any major issues before further testing is conducted.