Regression testing is a crucial part of quality assurance and software testing. It makes sure that the application works as intended by the developer by thoroughly checking the functional and non-functional tests.
In simple words, regression testing gives the software the ability to maintain its quality while undergoing numerous modifications. Even though regression testing is an important part of software testing, some testers don’t take this work very seriously. They may try to rush the process or entirely skip it.
This happens because of a need for more awareness. When you are aware of the right approach, you can save your time as a tester and focus on more exciting tasks. Think of this blog as an introduction to regression testing and how it is performed.
This blog post will guide you to different ways to improve regression testing, alongside the top 5 regression testing tools and different types of regression testing as well.
Table of Contents
Explain Regression Testing
Regression testing allows developers to detect unexpected faults in the application to prevent any glitches. By doing so, it provides the overall stability of the software and ensures that the system can sustain and withstand frequent improvements.
Software development is more than just building an application and providing it to your customers. In fact, most of its work starts after the application is launched. The entire team of testers and developers keeps working on customer feedback. They check and re-check the faults to verify the proper working of the application.
Why do we need Regression Testing?
Software needs frequent updates and improvements, but not at the cost of degrading other features. Yes, there are chances that the updates will go wrong and designs will fail. But effective software cannot afford to lose its existing features.
That’s why we run regression tests. Regress means degradation or going back to its lesser-developed state. Regression tests ensure that the overall stability of the software is maintained.
Regression testing is something a tester has to perform because it’s not a choice, it’s a compulsion. After every minute or major change in the code, testers look for changes in dependencies that can cause defects or malfunctions in the software.
Therefore, regression testing is done to reduce the risk of such potential defects.
Regression Testing can be Carried Out In the Following Cases
- When we add a new function to the application: In this case, regression is performed to see if the new module/ feature is compatible with the software or not.
- Changing an existing function: If a particular feature shows glitches or does not perform as expected, developers try to fix the issue. When that change happens, regression testing is performed.
- When the software integrates with a new external system: Regression testing is also performed when the application interacts with a new external system.
- If the configuration changes:
Step-by-Step Guide to Perform Regression Testing
Enhancements, error corrections, optimizations, and deletion of existing features are some of the reasons to perform regression testing. Given below are a few steps that will help you deal with regression testing in a much better way.
- Step one is to identify the bugs in the code.
- Once the bugs are identified, make the required changes to fix them.
- The source code-modified module is required to re-run the test cases. Only reusable test cases are shortlisted for regression testing.
- After we fix the bugs, regression testing is done to cover both the modified and affected parts of the code.
- Different factors like data representation and regression test designs are calculated in the next step to see how they will impact the test case execution time.
- Now the cases will be divided into 2 categories. The first is automated test cases and another is manual test cases.
- This categorization is important because automation test cases are reusable and faster than manual ones.
- Now it’s time to prioritize the test cases according to their urgency level. They are ranked on the basis of their significance as high, low, and medium.
- Priority 0, Priority 1, and Priority 2 are assigned based on product utility and user participation.
- Priority 0 deals with important test cases of essential features. Priority 1 is not essential but matters more than priority 2 test cases. Priority 2 test cases deal with technical complexities.
- The last step is to schedule and execute test cases. A proper time is given for test cases to be executed with the help of either automation testing or manual testing.
3 Different techniques to carry out regression testing are:
- Retest All: All test suits should be re-executed if multiple updates or changes are made to the application. It is a time-consuming and resource-intensive technique that plays a vital role in identifying and resolving all the bugs. It is an expensive process because all the tests in the bucket need to be re-evaluated.
- Regression test Selection: here, we do not execute the entire test case because of the choice to select the parts in which regression testing can be performed. This technique of regression testing consists of reusable and obsolete test cases. The main difference between reusable and obsolete is that one can be used in the next regression cycle but the other cannot.
In this technique, fewer parts are selected based on how much they have been affected by the change in the application. A particular test case will be selected if it is highly impacted by the new feature or improvement of the existing feature.
- Prioritization of test cases: Testers can choose the test case that will be executed first and last in this regression technique. Different factors like functionality, feature failure rate, and business impact of these features are also taken into consideration.
Tools Used For Regression Testing
1) LambdaTest
LambdaTest is a robust platform designed specifically for regression testing. Its extensive range of features and capabilities empowers users to conduct efficient and effective regression tests. By harnessing the power of real-time and automation testing, LambdaTest enables users to verify the stability and compatibility of their applications across 3000+ device, OS, and browser combinations.
The platform’s seamless integration with popular testing frameworks like Selenium and Appium enhances regression testing by automating repetitive test cases and ensuring consistent outcomes. By leveraging LambdaTest, businesses can optimize their regression testing workflows, swiftly detect and resolve issues, and ultimately deliver superior software products to their end-users.
2) Selenium
Selenium is an open-source testing framework that validates web applications across different browsers and uses multiple programming languages like Java, C#, and Python. This free automation testing suite only tests web applications and avoids testing desktop or mobile applications.
Selenium is a highly flexible and portable tool, well-known for its ability to execute parallel tests both locally and on an online Selenium grid. In short, Selenium stands out as a fantastic testing framework, enabling developers and QA engineers to effortlessly create defect-free web applications. If you’re looking to enhance your skills, consider exploring a comprehensive Selenium Course to master this invaluable tool.
3) Test Complete
It is a GUI testing tool that automates regression tests and uses artificial intelligence to evaluate web applications. Third-party tools can be easily integrated using this tool. TestComplete can be used on any device like your mobile phone, desktop, or web. It is a flexible tool that allows the scheduling of regression tests without any human interference.
4) Katalon Studio
This tool has a large customer base and was claimed as the most popular customer choice for automation testing in March 2020. It uses data and key-driven approaches and provides testing functionalities to different devices like laptops and mobiles.
5) testRigor
It is one of the easiest ways to learn automation testing because of the exciting features it provides. Here, all the test cases are in English and are expressed on the end-user level. It has unlimited users, unlimited tests, and a recorder for web steps.
While using testRigor, it does not matter how much technical knowledge you have. Anyone with any level of technical grip can build end-to-end tests using this tool.
6) Subject7
This tool has easy-to-use software that empowers everyone to become an automation expert. Here, testers don’t have to write a single line of code to evaluate their test cases. Subject7 integrates easily with DevOps with the help of native plugins, in-app integrations, and open APIs.
It is a simple and easy-to-use tool that is flexible while reporting defects. It has non-metered pricing and delivers financial predictability.
Regression Testing Types
Regression testing is of 5 types.
- Unit regression testing
- Regional regression testing
- Full regression testing
- Corrective regression testing
- Retest All regression testing
1) Unit regression testing:
Let us suppose the login function of an application is not working properly. If we perform unit regression testing, only the login function of the software will be evaluated, and other functions will remain untouched.
That’s what unit regression testing does. It only focuses on the modified sections and not the impacted region.
2) Regional regression testing
This type of testing evaluates both modified sections and impacted sections.
Let us suppose, there are four modules named P, Q, R, and S in a software application. A bug arises in module R and testers try to resolve it. When the error was fixed, it was found that modulus P and S have been affected by the change in module R. So, now in the next step, testers will fix the impacted regions P and S.
3) Full regression testing
FRT is sued to evaluate all the functionalities of the application. This type of testing is performed when the other two testing have been successful. After testing the modifications and the impact area, now it’s time to retest the entire product.
4) Corrective regression testing
This type of testing is done when no addition or modification is done to the features. Here, the changes are done to the existing features.
5) Retest all regression testing
All the test suits should be re-executed if multiple updates or changes are made to the application. It is a time-consuming and resource-intensive technique that plays a vital role in identifying and resolving all the bugs
Conclusion
Regression testing is an important part of software testing because it makes sure that the application is stable and reliable for its users. The overall quality of the software is maintained when existing functionalities of the application are retested for bugs and defects.
Regression testing is a really effective method to check whether the application is working as expected or not. Here, the tests must be evaluated using a well-defined and structured approach. Remember, the key to successful regression testing lies in thorough planning, maintenance, and continuous improvement.
An effective strategy for regression testing can help organizations save a huge chunk of their time, money, and effort. Reliable and friendly tools for regression testing eliminate software defects early in the development cycle.
That is why businesses are investing more and more in the planning and implementation of regression tests. Doing this benefits both the organization and the users of that application.
