What are the key reasons for automating regression testing?

The customers of today do not only want top-of-the-line software applications to have the latest features and functionalities, but they also want them to perform smoothly in an omnichannel environment. This means updating the software applications continuously a la Agile and DevOps at breakneck speeds so that they remain compliant with the latest industry and regulatory standards and compatible with most devices, browsers, operating systems, and networks. This calls for the implementation of test automation across the SDLC. It helps to ensure the software applications embrace any code changes in their development lifecycle, including the addition of new features and functionalities.

However, this process can be fraught with challenges as changes to any part of the software code can impact other parts of the code. For instance, a bid to add a new camera feature to a smartphone can cause other features to malfunction. To address such challenges, testers go for automated regression testing, which is often an expensive activity. This is due to the fact that testers go on adding tests into test suites with time, which further need revalidation. Hence, regression testing helps software applications to perform as before even after several code changes have been made or interfaces with other third-party software built. But not withstanding its benefits, software regression testing is a tedious, time-consuming, expensive, and repetitive process. For these reasons, business enterprises across the industry spectrum employ an automated regression testing strategy to introduce speed, efficiency, and quality into the testing process. Accordingly, a series of pre-written test cases are executed after every code change.

Why regression testing - 6 reasons?

Any automated QA regression testing saves time, simplifies iterations, sets up standardization across projects, and mitigates any errors due to manual testing. The key reasons why business enterprises vouch for automation in software regression testing are as follows:

1. Frees resources: Since regression testing is repetitive, manual testing can turn out to be mundane, error-prone, and frustrating. However, with the introduction of automated regression testing, specific areas or segments of a software application can be checked quickly and accurately. The time thus saved can be better utilized in deploying resources to conduct core research and other test types or perform manual exploration of unusual cases. This can result in the software application delivering superior user experiences, optimum quality, compliance with regulatory standards, and better test coverage.
2. Scalability: Manual testing has its limitations on speed, coverage, and accuracy. When testers conducting manual testing are stretched to their maximum, they can end up overlooking errors or skip exploratory testing. However, with an automated regression testing strategy, tests can be run round-the-clock at speeds that are not possible with manual testing. This helps enterprises to scale up testing with minimal or no human intervention.
3. 24 x 7 testing: Automated regression tests can be scheduled to run 24 x 7 and 365 days a year. So, tests can be run even at night when no one is around to monitor or wait for results. Besides, automated tests can be made to run at specific intervals, namely, daily or weekly, with the generation of records, logs, and reports. By running continuous regression testing through automation, QA testers are able to identify hidden bugs or glitches before the software application is deployed for the end-users.

#4. Quick feedback: Unlike a waterfall approach where testing is done at the end of the development cycle, automated regression testing in an Agile-DevOps setup can be performed early in quick iterative cycles called sprints. This shift-left regression testing process can generate instant feedback loops for both testers and developers to fix errors. Since the automation test tool can create visual recordings, reports, and logs, testers can find out why a particular test has failed and can send the code to the developers to fix it.

#5. Reduces maintenance: As new features are added to a software application, new tests are added to the regression test suite, which causes it to grow over time. But at some point, the test suite can become unwieldy and difficult to manage manually. An automation tool, on the other hand, would make it easy to adjust and maintain the test suite without the need to rewrite the code. This helps the maintenance efforts and costs remain low.

Conclusion

The predictable and repetitive nature of regression testing makes it an ideal candidate for automation. It helps business enterprises to achieve agility, enhanced product quality, superior user experiences, and better profitability.

James Daniel is a software Tech enthusiastic & works at Cigniti Technologies I'm having a great understanding of today's software testing quality