Test Data : Test data specifically identified the input values, which we are going to supply to the system/application while testing.
Test data may be prepared by a tester or a program aids by a tester. Test data should be recorded so that it can be reused later otherwise anyone can forgot it.
Test Data basically depends upon Domain. Test data may be Common or Critical, Representative of equivalence class. It might also include boundaries.
This is one of the major section of software development. Once Tester get any build to test, his entire testing depends upon his Test cases and Test Data. If he covers the maximum about of test data in the testing duration then he can be more secure to verify its validity.
Smoke Review :
Smoke review basically deals with the build verification and its major functionality. This review tell whether the software is able to install or not. Smoke Review can either be done manually or automatically by using some tools. 
Smoke Review of Test Data
When we talk about Smoke Review of Test Data that means we are talking about the data which we will be using as an Input/output while testing the app
The Test data generation will be based on the approach we follow
1. Random Test Data Generation
2. Path Wise Data Generation
3. Goal Oriented Generation
4. Intelligent Test Data Generation
Random Test Data Generation
Random Test Data Generation might be easy and simple method for generating data, but covers a very large area. The advantage of this that we can generate any data for input/output. So in the Smoke Review of Random Test Data describes that, you need to have a small set of data which is probably going to be used while testing. And the Testing can be positive, negative or both.
For Ex: In the Registration Section under Health Care Process, you need to register the patient with Proper data like Name, Address, Phone, Photo, Disease Description, Concerning Doctor, Consulting Fees, Insurance Details.
| Field | Test Data | Smoke Test |
| Name | Character | Character |
| Spl Character | Spl. Character | |
| Numbers | Number | |
| Character + Spl. Character | ||
| Character + Number | ||
| Char + Spl Char +Number | ||
| Spaces | ||
| Blank | ||
| Emotions or Symbols | ||
| HTML Codes |
Path Wise Data Generation
This is the best data generation method as you only need to know the flow and its data according to the flow. Here you only need to know the flow and nature of data to be used there. Path wise Data generation will cover all the path and gives you a over all app overview and its data generation.
For example you are using and banking application and here you want to collect cash
| Path | Test Data | Smoke Test Data |
| Collect Cash from ATM → GO to ATM → Insert Card → Follow the Instruction for Cash Withdraw and Fast Cash | ATM Card and Amount like Any Positive Number (5000) | ATM Card and Amount like Any Positive Number (5000) |
| Any Negative (-5000) | ||
| No Number (Do not enter data) | ||
| Enter data (Amount) more then you account limit | Enter data (Amount) more then you account limit | |
| Enter data (Amount) more then you balance | Enter data (Amount) more then you balance | |
| Data should be entered in the Fill digit like (500, 1000, 10000) |
Goal Oriented Test Data Generation
In the approach of Test Data generation, we are focused on the Goal and the way you reach to that goal. Here we choose the Test data based on our goal, what we have to achieve.
For Example suppose you need to show the Mobile number of any contact, so we know that phone number can only be numeric and fix 10 digit number. Here my target was to display the Mobile number, so as per the goal my test data will be only numeric and 10 digit number
Intelligent Test Data Generation
In this process, we analyze the code and prepare the test data based on the code. In this process data generation will be easier or exact as per the code, but takes a lot of time to analyze the code and Prepare the data. You should have good understanding of code as well because code can be easy of complex both.
Written By: - Alok Ranjan, QA Engineer, Mindfire Solutions
