Smoke Tests are preliminary tests conducted to check the basic functionality of a software application. They are designed to identify major issues early in the development process, ensuring that the most critical features work as intended. This helps developers catch significant problems before moving on to more detailed testing. Typically, smoke tests cover essential functions, such as user login, data entry, and system performance. If a smoke test fails, it indicates that the software is not ready for further testing, prompting developers to address the issues before proceeding. This approach saves time and resources in the software development lifecycle.