What is primarily assessed through build verification tests?

Build verification tests, often referred to as "smoke tests," are designed to assess the core functionality and stability of a software build. The primary goal of these tests is to quickly validate that the most critical features of the application are functioning as expected after a new build or update.

By focusing on essential aspects such as the application's ability to execute basic tasks and maintain stability, build verification tests help teams determine whether a build is stable enough to proceed with more in-depth testing. The approach allows testers to identify any immediate issues that might prevent further testing or deployment, ensuring that developers do not waste resources on builds that fail fundamental functionalities.

In contrast, the other options address different areas of software quality. While security compliance, performance under heavy load, and integration with external systems are important aspects of software testing, they are not the primary focus of build verification tests. These areas typically require more detailed tests that go beyond the scope of initial verification, as they are often assessed in later stages of the testing process once the basic functionality has been confirmed.