What is the purpose of a build verification test?

The purpose of a build verification test is to validate the integrity of each new build's key functionality. This type of testing is typically conducted to ensure that the critical functionalities of the application are working as expected after a new build is created. It acts as a quick check-up to confirm that no major defects have been introduced and that the build is stable enough for further testing. It is an essential part of the continuous integration and continuous delivery processes in agile environments, allowing teams to promptly identify issues and maintain a high-quality codebase.

In contrast to this, user acceptance testing focuses more on determining whether the final product meets the user's needs and requirements, rather than assessing the build immediately after technical changes. While validating the integration of various components is relevant, it falls more under integration testing rather than specific build verification. Lastly, assessing overall system performance is beyond the scope of build verification tests, which are aimed at rapidly confirming the functioning of critical features rather than measuring performance metrics.