The term refers to a focused and rapid evaluation conducted after a software build to ascertain whether the core functionality is working as expected. It is a narrow regression performed on critical areas of the application to confirm that the changes or fixes implemented have not introduced any major defects. For instance, if a bug fix is applied to the login module of an application, this type of assessment would verify that users can successfully log in and out, and that essential functionalities dependent on authentication remain operational. It ensures that the development team can confidently proceed with more rigorous testing phases.
Its significance lies in its ability to save time and resources by quickly identifying fundamental problems early in the software development lifecycle. It prevents wasting effort on extensive testing of a build that is fundamentally broken. Historically, it emerged as a practical approach to streamline testing efforts, especially in environments with tight deadlines and frequent code changes. The practice allows for continuous integration and delivery, enabling faster feedback loops and higher quality software releases.
