Smoke test vs. progressive delivery: Choosing a deployment strategy
A smoke test is a preliminary test run to check if the basic functionalities of a software application are working properly. Progressive delivery is a software development approach that involves gradually rolling out new features to a subset of users before a full release. Both smoke testing and progressive delivery aim to ensure the stability and quality of a software product, but smoke testing focuses on functionality while progressive delivery focuses on feature rollout strategy. Smoke testing is typically done early in the development process, while progressive delivery is an ongoing practice throughout the software development lifecycle.
About the smoke test deployment strategy
A smoke test in software deployment is a preliminary test run to check if the basic functionalities of the application are working properly. It is usually done before more comprehensive testing to catch any major issues early on.
By running a smoke test, developers can quickly identify any critical issues that may prevent the application from functioning properly in a live environment. This helps ensure a smoother deployment process and reduces the risk of major failures during production.
Advantages of the smoke test deployment strategy
- Helps quickly identify major issues with the software before proceeding with further testing.
- Saves time and resources by catching critical errors early in the development process.
Disadvantages of the smoke test deployment strategy
- May not uncover all potential issues within the software.
- Can lead to a false sense of security if only surface-level testing is performed.
About the progressive delivery deployment strategy
Progressive delivery is a deployment strategy in software development that involves gradually rolling out new features or updates to a small subset of users before making them available to everyone. This allows developers to test the changes in a real-world environment and gather feedback before fully releasing them.
By using progressive delivery, developers can mitigate the risk of introducing bugs or issues that could impact all users at once. It also allows for more controlled and efficient deployment of updates, ensuring a smoother transition for users and minimizing disruption to the overall system.
Advantages of the progressive delivery deployment strategy
- Allows for gradual release of new features to a subset of users, reducing the impact of potential bugs or issues.
- Enables teams to gather feedback from real users in a controlled environment before rolling out changes to the entire user base.
Disadvantages of the progressive delivery deployment strategy
- Requires additional planning and coordination to manage different stages of deployment.
- May result in increased complexity in the deployment process, especially for larger projects with multiple features being released simultaneously.
Choosing between smoke test and progressive delivery strategies
| Smoke Test | Progressive Delivery | |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | Ensures basic functionality works. | Gradually releases new features to minimize impact of bugs. |
| Cost | Low cost as it only tests core functionality. | May involve higher costs due to continuous deployment and monitoring. |
| Complexity | Simple and straightforward process. | Involves more planning and coordination for gradual rollout. |
| Speed | Quick initial verification of software. | Slower but allows for controlled release of features. |
The Unleash approach to feature flags
Feature flags enable development teams to manage features in a dynamic, flexible, and controlled manner.
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