What is Regression Testing?
Definition : Regression testing is a part of the black box testing. When any code is changes in the application, any defect has been fixed or any new functionality is added into the application then regression testing is making sure that existing web application or mobile application working fine.
Regression testing in software testing is a type of software testing that is performed to verify that changes or modifications to a system have not negatively impacted its functionality. It used to ensure that the system still working as intended after changes have made.
During regression testing, the testing team will re-run previously run tests to verify that the system is still working correctly. This can include running tests on new and modified features, as well as on existing features that may have affected by the changes.
Regression testing is an important part of the software development process because it helps to ensure that changes to the system have not introduced new issues or problems. It typically performed after changes have made to the system and can an ongoing process as the system developed and modified over time.
When to do regression testing?
- When any new feature is added into the software application
- When any defect has been fixed
- When any performance issued has been fixed
1.When adding new functionality into the application.
Example: If any website has sign up functionality only with email address but now providing the sign up with mobile number as well.
2.When change the requirements in the application.
Example: If the remember password functionality removed from the login page.
3.When the defect fixed.
Example: Suppose defect logged by the tester as “If user clicks on the login button, then user navigates on the error page. “and fixed and retested by the test engineer team then regression testing can perform.
4.When performance issue fixed.
Example: If website takes too much time for loading such as 12 to 15 sec to loading webpage, then reducing the loading time as 2 to 3 sec.
Regression Testing Process
In regression testing process, based on the impacted areas in the application, test cases selected from the existing regression test suites. New test cases can add if its required or modify the test cases. The main focus on the regression testing is that application should be working as expected.
Identify the scope: Determine the parts of the software that need to be tested based on the changes made since the last round of testing.
Select test cases: Choose the test cases that most likely to affected by the changes and are critical to the system’s functionality.
Prioritize test cases: Prioritize the test cases based on their importance, so that the most critical tests performed first.
Run tests: Execute the selected test cases and record the results.
Analyze results: Review the test results to identify any new defects or issues that may have introduced due to the changes.
Report defects: Document any new defects that found and report them to the development team for resolution.
Retest: Once the defects have fixed, re-run the test cases to ensure that the system is functioning as expected and that the fixes did not introduce any new issues.
Sign-off: Once all the test cases have been successfully re-run, sign-off on the regression testing process.
The above steps can repeat for each round of regression testing. And the testing team may use automation tools to streamline the process and increase efficiency.
Regression Testing Technique
Retest all: This technique involves retesting all the test cases that previously executed, which ensures that all the areas of the system have tested and any issues introduced by changes detected.
Test selection: In this technique, only a subset of test cases selected for regression testing, based on the areas of the system that affected by changes or the most critical test cases.
Prioritization: This technique involves prioritizing the test cases based on their importance, so that the most critical tests performed first.
Hybrid: This technique combines the above techniques and can use to optimize the regression testing process by selecting a subset of test cases based on their importance and executing them first, followed by retesting all test cases or additional selected test cases as needed.
Model-based: This technique uses models of the system to generate test cases for regression testing, which can be useful for complex software systems or systems with many possible scenarios.
Automated: This technique involves using automated testing tools to run the regression tests, which can save time and increase efficiency.
The choice of this testing technique depends on the specific requirements and constraints of the project. Such as the size and complexity of the software system, available resources and time, and the criticality of the system.
Regression Testing Tools
Here are some popular Regression Testing Tools that can use for testing:
Selenium: Selenium is a popular open-source testing tool that supports automated regression testing for web applications. It supports various programming languages, including Java, C#, and Python.
Appium: Appium is an open-source testing tool that supports automated regression testing for mobile applications on both Android and iOS platforms. It supports multiple programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, and Ruby.
TestComplete: TestComplete is a commercial testing tool that supports automated regression testing for desktop, web, and mobile applications. It offers a comprehensive set of features for functional testing, performance testing, and UI testing.
Telerik Test Studio: Telerik Test Studio is a commercial testing tool that supports automated regression testing for web and desktop applications. It offers a user-friendly interface and supports multiple scripting languages, including C# and VBScript.
Ranorex Studio: Ranorex Studio is a commercial testing tool that supports automated regression testing for desktop, web, and mobile applications. It offers a wide range of features for test automation, including GUI testing, API testing, and data-driven testing.
Advantages Of Regression Testing
Ensures that changes have not introduced new issues: It helps to ensure that changes to the system have not introduced new issues or problems. This can help to identify any issues early on, making it easier to fix them.
Increases confidence in the system: By performing regression testing after changes have made, the testing team can increase their confidence in the stability and reliability of the system.
Reduces the risk of issues being discovered after deployment: It can help to identify and fix any issues before the system deployed. So this can reduce the risk of problems discovered after the system is in use. This can save time and resources that will needed to fix issues after deployment.
Helps to ensure the quality of the system: It helps to ensure that the system is of high quality and is working as intended after changes have been made. This can increase customer satisfaction and confidence in the system.
Can be automated: Many this testing tasks can automate, which can save time and resources and make the testing process more efficient.
Disadvantages Of Regression Testing
Time-consuming: It can be time-consuming, as it involves re-running previously run tests to verify that the system is still working correctly. This can prolong the development process and increase costs.
May not identify all issues: Although this testing can help to identify many issues with the system, it may not be able to identify all issues. Some issues may only discover after the system deploy and in use.
May disrupt by external factors: It typically performs in a real-world or simulated environment. It means that external factors such as network issues or hardware failures can disrupt the testing process. This can make it more challenging to obtain accurate and reliable test results.
May require specialized testing tools: Depending on the complexity of the system, specialized testing tools or equipment may require for this testing. This can add to the cost of the testing process.
May require maintaining a suite of regression tests: Maintaining a suite of regression tests can be time-consuming and requires resources to create and update the tests as the system changes.
Conclusion
So as above mentioned, regression testing is very important in the software testing. This testing use for the improve the quality of an application. If you are looking for more testing type then please visit below links.