What is Regression Testing?

Quick Summary

Regression testing confirms that features of the products continue to function properly after an update or the inclusion of a new component. Regression testing, its varieties, test cases, tools, procedures, and all of its most important components will all be examined in this blog.

What is Regression Testing?

Software testing known as regression testing is done to make sure that no new issues were introduced by a code upgrade. This is because newly added code might introduce new logic that clashes with previously written code, resulting in errors. To save time and increase test efficiency, QA teams often have a set of regression test cases for significant features that they will run again if these code changes take place.

Finding the precise component that causes the problem might be challenging if the project lacks a version control system. Regression testing, on the other hand, allows for more precise troubleshooting since it tells us exactly where the fault originates. It functions as the software’s recurring health check-up. Regression testing is an excellent candidate for automated testing because of its extremely repetitive nature.

When to Perform Regression Testing?

Performing regression testing is crucial whenever there are modifications to a system’s code, ensuring that existing functionalities still work as intended after changes are made. Here are some scenarios where regression testing is particularly important:

Introducing New Features

Imagine you’ve developed a website with an email-based login, and now you’re enhancing it by adding a Facebook login feature. Before deploying this new functionality, regression testing becomes essential to confirm that existing features, like email login, still operate seamlessly.

Requirement Changes

When there are alterations in the project requirements, such as removing the “remember password” functionality from the login page, regression testing helps ensure that the removal of this feature doesn’t negatively impact other aspects of the login process or the application as a whole.

Bug Fixes and Patches

Suppose a tester identifies and reports a bug, like a malfunctioning login button. After developers fix the bug, regression testing is performed not only to verify the successful resolution of the reported issue but also to check if the fix has inadvertently affected other interconnected functionalities.

Addressing Performance Issues

In the case of performance improvements, like reducing the page loading time from 5 seconds to 2 seconds, regression testing is crucial. It ensures that the enhancements made to one part of the system don’t introduce regressions or negatively impact the performance of other components.

Environment or Configuration Changes

When there are alterations to the system’s environment, such as migrating the database from MySQL to Oracle, regression testing becomes essential. It confirms that the application continues to function correctly in the new environment and that no unexpected issues arise due to the configuration changes.

By conducting regression testing in these scenarios, you can maintain confidence in the overall stability and reliability of the system, even as it undergoes continuous development and improvement. This proactive approach helps catch any unintended side effects of changes and ensures a smooth user experience.

How to perform Regression Testing?

Regression testing makes sure that the current software modules and their capabilities are operating as intended and that there are no unintended consequences from the new modifications. It’s time to take a closer look at the entire regression testing procedure and see how you can go forward to increase the coverage of your tests. The methodical approach to regression testing is described below.

Detect the change in code

The source code is altered in this stage (optimizations & alterations are recognized). It is then followed by identifying modified parts and the effect all of this had on the product’s current key characteristics.

Prioritize impacted areas and test cases

Subsequently, QA teams confer on which modifications require comprehensive testing and which ones might suffice with sufficient testing. Priority should always be given to changes that affect essential functionality or materially change the way an application operates. 

 Setting priorities becomes more crucial as the codebase grows larger. It might take months or a whole sprint, depending on how many tests there are and how long they take to finish. Regression testing is always the front-runner when discussing manual vs. automated testing. 

Determine Entry and Exit Points

The team may choose which tests need to be run after they’ve decided which modifications need to be looked at. Testing teams often have a variety of test suites available for execution; however, they only need to run the pertinent ones during each regression testing session. 

 In essence, the team creates a detailed strategy in this stage and gets the appropriate testing system ready to carry out regression testing. For test management to be effective going forward, it is also required to remove outdated test cases or test suites. 

Categorize your Test cases

In this phase, let’s delve into the intricacies of the plan crafted in step 3, categorizing our testing strategies based on several discerning factors. Embracing a thoughtful approach to test categorization enhances our testing efficiency and ensures a more nuanced evaluation.

1. Manual vs Automated Regression Tests

Consider thе nаturе оf thе test cases at hand. For those sporadic or non-repetitive scenarios that dеmand human intuition and adaptability, manual tеsting rеmains a pеrtinеnt choicе. Convеrsеly, tasks that involve repetitive sequences of tеst stеps arе primе candidatеs for automation. By automatеd tеsting, we not only optimize efficiency but also ensure a meticulous and consistent execution of rеpеtitivе procеssеs

2. Critical vs Non-Critical Fеaturеs

Distinguish tеst casеs based on thеir criticality, urgеncy, and ovеrall significancе in alignmеnt with businеss prioritiеs. Assigning a hiеrarchical importancе value—bе it high, mеdium, or low—empowers the team to prioritize efforts effectively. This nuancеd approach еnsurеs that critical fеaturеs rеcеivе thе attеntion thеy dеsеrvе, optimizing rеsourcе allocation and aligning tеsting еfforts with overarching business objectives.

3. Tеsting Typеs

Recognize the unique requirements of each testing type—whether it’s functional, non-functional, or a blеnd of both. Thе divеrsity in sеtups, tools, and environments for different tеsting typеs nеcеssitatеs a dеlibеratе classification of tеst casеs. Opting for a centralized testing systеm streamlines this process, providing thе tеam with a vеrsatilе platform to seamlessly transition between various tеsting activities. This not only simplifiеs logistics but also еnhancеs ovеrall tеsting control and adaptability. 

Schedule Tests and Execute Them

All test cases are currently prepared for execution. Teams can use the plan to determine when to run test cases. It is also possible to schedule certain test cases to run at regular intervals during the course of the development cycle. Teams may exert more quality control over their application’s ongoing modifications via time-based test execution.

Measure the success after regression testing 

Important information is provided at this point for the next test runs. QA managers and other important stakeholders may measure their testing effectiveness and make data-driven choices with the help of analytics. Test reports can highlight areas where the application needs improvement so that the development team can make timely changes.

Different types of Regression Testing?

Progressive

For changing the testing specifications and creating new test cases, progressive testing will work perfectly. This kind of testing is typically recommended when adding a new component to the system. This is because it enables you to confirm that modifications have no negative effects on the original components.

Partial

To determine the impact of incorporating new system components, partial testing is conducted. For instance, how the system might be affected by a new line added to the source code. In contrast to selective testing, in this sort of testing, new functions are evaluated alongside the existing ones. You may assess their impact in this manner.

Selective

As the name implies, test coverage in selective testing is restricted to a predetermined set of previously developed test cases. As a result, you avoid retesting the entire system and just test a select few components.

Corrective

When the source code for your application has not changed, corrective regression testing is a good choice. As opposed to creating new test cases, you will test the present functionality and the test cases that correspond with them to determine if the system is operating appropriately.

Complete

This entails testing the system as a whole at once. It works similarly to acceptability testing to see if adding one or more modules compromises the user experience. Just prior to the product’s official release, testing is completed.

Retest All

Rerunning each test case in the testing suite is the main goal of this testing to ensure that no defects have been introduced by changes made to an application’s source code. Compared to other forms of testing, this one requires a significant amount of time and work from the QA team.

Tools Available For Regression Testing

Apache JMeter

An open-source tool developed by Apache for automating regression tests and evaluating test case performance is called Apache JMeter. Java programming is used exclusively in the creation of the software. Measuring service performance, offering a regression testing suite to end users, and conducting load and performance tests are some of JMeter’s primary capabilities. 

Test Sigma

Test Sigma is a highly recommended automated testing tool for doing regression testing. This tool has the advantage of having scriptless test cases that are written in simple English. Additionally, this application may be used with JIRA, Slack, Jenkins, and other CI/CD workflows. Lastly, you can create custom functions and provide requirements for regression test suites with Testsigma.

Cerberus

Regression testing automation for online and mobile APIs is supported by Cerberus Testing, a 100% open-source solution that takes less code and does much more. The program doesn’t require advanced development abilities and is readily accessible through a web interface. It is available on the cloud. This program is a favorite among testers since it has reusable test modules and test data.

Watir

Watir is a Ruby-based open-source tool for regression testing. This tool makes it possible for testers to construct test cases that are simple to read and comprehend. Watir also features a user interface that is adaptable and lightweight. In addition to all of the above, its interactive features for website testing account for its enormous demand.

TimeShiftX

One of the most cutting-edge technologies for regression automation testing that the QA team will enjoy using is TimeShiftX. This tool’s USP, which shortens test cycles and uses less resources, gives businesses a competitive edge. Additionally, TimeShiftX enables companies to promptly deliver the programme, which is why testers find it quite appealing.

Qiagen

Note: Qiagen is a biotechnology company that provides solutions in the life sciences and molecular diagnostics field. It is not known for providing regression testing tools. There might be a different tool or framework with a similar name that you are referring to.

Conclusion

Regression testing is a fundamental aspect of softwarе tеsting that ensures еxisting functionalities remain intact aftеr code changes, updatеs, or thе introduction of nеw componеnts. It serves as a reliable health check for your softwarе, identifying potential issues early in thе dеvеlopmеnt cycle. Hire Software developers who follow the best testing methods to deliver bug-free solutions. Thе systematic approach to regression testing involves detecting code changes, prioritizing tеst casеs, dеtеrmining еntry and еxit points, catеgorizing tеst casеs, scheduling and executing tests, and mеasuring succеss. With various types of regression testing and tools likе Apachе JMеtеr, Tеstsigma, Cеrbеrus, and Watir, you can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your tеsting procеssеs.

FAQ’S