{"id":1865,"date":"2023-05-11T10:09:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T10:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vwo.com\/glossary\/?p=1865"},"modified":"2025-04-11T13:30:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T13:30:16","slug":"canary-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vwo.com\/glossary\/canary-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"Canary Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is canary testing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Canary testing is a technique in which a small subset of users or systems are exposed to a new version of the software, while the rest of the users or systems continue to use the previous version. This allows for testing in a production-like environment while minimizing the impact on the overall system if there are issues with the new version. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The name “canary” is used because canaries were often used in coal mines to detect dangerous levels of gases, and would die before the miners were affected, serving as an early warning system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Canary<\/figure>\n
Image source: TechTarget<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Canary testing vs. A\/B testing vs. Feature flags<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although these methods can be used in conjunction with each other to achieve a similar goal of testing new software or changes in an environment, they have some key differences<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canary Testing<\/strong><\/td>A\/B Testing<\/strong><\/td>Feature Flags<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
It is focused on testing new software or changes in a controlled isolated environment before releasing it to the entire user base.<\/td>The focus is on comparing the performance of two versions of a product or feature.<\/td>They are focused on controlling the exposure of new features to different users or groups of users. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of canary testing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Testing in general is believed to lower the number of problems that affect end users. Canary testing has produced time- and effort-saving software at every development life cycle level. Additionally, it enhances the goodwill and reputation of the business. Sales attempts are not hindered because fewer problems affect and irritate users. Furthermore, it keeps the coders’ content. The benefits of canary testing are listed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minimizing risk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By releasing a new version of the software or a change to a small subset of users or systems, canary testing allows for testing in a production-like environment while minimizing the impact on the overall system if there are issues with the new version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early detection of issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Canary testing enables early discovery of any problems or flaws so that they may be fixed before they impact the full user base by monitoring the new version’s performance on a small section of users or systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faster deployment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By releasing new versions of software or changes to a small subset of users or systems, canary testing allows for faster deployment of new features and updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minimal downtime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Canary testing can help reduce downtime by identifying and fixing issues before they affect the entire user base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

User involvement and feedback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Canary testing provides initial user input in a setting similar to production, which may be used to enhance the product’s overall quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost reduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Early detection and fixing of issues through canary testing can help reduce the cost of resolving problems that may occur in a production environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phases of canary testing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The canary testing process can be broken down into the below phases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This primary phase of canary testing involves defining the:<\/p>\n\n\n\n