What Is Regression Testing? Best Practices, Tutorials, and More

Regression testing denotes the process of analyzing a changed or upgraded computer program to ensure the elderly software features -- that were previously developed and analyzed -- nevertheless perform exactly as they did earlier. One way to think about software regression would be to think about someone that implements a new ac system in their home just to discover that while their brand new ac system functions as anticipated, the lights no longer work.

Regression testing may frequently involve conducting existing evaluations against the modified code to make sure that the new code didn't break anything that worked until the update. Regression testing may eliminate much of the risk associated with software upgrades. Along with running current tests, testers might tweak present evaluations by introducing different secondary conditions as factors.

The Importance of Regression Testing Many companies nowadays embrace an iterative, Agile approach to software creation. By way of instance, the fantastic many applications as a service (SaaS) providers will frequently update their attributes or add new functionality to their own offerings with each software upgrade. To make sure their core product remains unaffected by new attribute enhancements, these businesses perform regression testing.

Regression testing is also an essential part of the software development lifecycle. ProtoTech Solutions illustrates the concept nicely with this graph:

Regression Testing

The Challenges of Regression Testing

• Time Consuming: Regression testing can take a lot of time to complete. Regression testing often involves running existing tests again, so testers might not be overly enthusiastic about having to re-run tests.
• Complex: Another thing to consider here is that as products get updated, they can grow quite complex, causing the lists of tests in your regression pack to grow to a huge amount.
• Communicating Business Value: Regression testing ensures existing product features are still in working order. Communicating the value of regression testing to non-technical leaders within your business can be a difficult task. Executives want to see the product move forward, and making a considerable time investment in regression testing to ensure existing functionality is working can be a hard sell.

Regression Testing Best Practices:

Often Update Your Regression Pack: A regression pack is a set of test cases which are done as every new software update is completed. The scripted tests included in a regression package are made with the requirement specifications of older versions of this software in mind.

Random or ad-hoc tests might also be contained in the package. It's a great idea to maintain your regression package up to date. Regression testing can be time consuming; the previous thing you want is to add tests that assess whether an old attribute which has been eliminated is still functioning.

Concentrate on Highly-Trafficked Paths:

Highly-trafficked avenues will be the most common usage cases for the application. They will include the simple performance of your program and most well-known features. You need to understand your core group of users and the normal characteristics and interactions that they are reliant on. Your regression pack must consist of tests that guarantee that this core functionality is functioning as it ought to.

Re-Run Successful Test Cases:

Tests that have identified bugs and flaws are also worth including in your regression pack. Alternately, tests that the app passes consistently are good candidates for archival.

Automate:

Automated regression testing can make the process much more efficient. Running the same tests over and over again could result in testers becoming tired and losing motivation. The standard of their work may suffer in addition to motivation dips.

Automated regression testing may free up your testers to work on the trickier case-specific tests. Automation applications can deal with the more tedious tests. Another consideration here is that testing software may be re-used, so although there is an initial outlay, you are making efficiency gains within an continuing basis, meaning your testing software will quickly demonstrate ROI.

The Difference Between Regression Testing and Retesting

Regression testing shouldn't be confused with retesting. Regression testing is performed to make sure updated code has not caused any existing performance to break. Retesting, on the other hand, describes evaluations which are done when a test case has identified some defects. Once the defects are fixed, the tests are performed again to make sure the problems have been resolved.

Retesting is a greater priority compared to regression testing since problems have already been identified. Regression testing is focused on identifying possible problems.

I am a technical content writer at testingxperts, interested in writing articles on the latest IT related topics.