What does regression testing mean

Regression testing is an excellent way of figuring out if existing software functions work exactly as expected after changing something in the internal system.

It tests everything from the workings of a new functionality and compliance of current software updates to the application requirements. Well-planned regression testing can make a difference in the quality of your software. Regression testing is one such. Think of it as routine car maintenance: you installed a new accelerator pedal only to find out that while the throttle fires perfectly, the clutch no longer works.

Similarly, during cycles of software and requirements revision, new tweaks could impact smooth operations. You have to recheck the functionalities to see how well they behave. The goal of Quality Assurance testing is to ensure that your IT products are without defect and will still meet the expectations of their users.

It allows developers to work out all the kinks and potential problems of a model before it goes into full production. Customers of UTOR already benefit from our regression testing solutions, and we can tap into our pool of experience and share requisite with you.

Plus, there are tools and techniques available to do much of the hard work for you. Regression test means testing to prove that a new or rewritten code has not broken the software capacity for which it was designed.

Regression testing may also prove that a set of re-launched test cases previously covered are fine. Several ways make testing for regression in systems plausible. The techniques rely on variables such as the nature of changes made and bug repaired. The basic types of regression testing are:. During the selective type of regression testing, we focus on selecting a group test cases from already tried test suites. This process is called test case re-execution.

Instead of retesting the whole system, we block integrations and check only specified components of the system. Narrowing down to the most effective units reduces cost and work done. Selective regression testing is the same as unit regression testing because we execute it at the unit level of software testing.

We do a partial regression test usually after the impact analysis—process of reviewing how particular changes in the software affect the rest of the system.

For example, how does adding a new code line impact the integration set up of an application. Unlike in selective, we allow fresh functionalities to interact with current ones. This testing comes highly recommended whenever new codes are added because you want to ensure that any system updates do not cause defects or total failure. In complete regression testing, we regress the entire system. We identify uncertainties within the modules because of multiple changes to the code.

This testing is relevant to the future user-experience as the software release happens right after it. For times when we modify the test requirements and also build new test cases, progressive regression testing will be most ideal.

The intent is similar to that of the partial variant—making sure older functions are uncompromised. Also classified as a type of retesting, corrective regressing is suitable when, in fact, no new updates or codes are added. But since we still want to correct an anomaly, we regress the system. In other words, we perform the test on existing test cases. Regression testing shows that even the best software development companies and teams can get things wrong.

Performance results are rather hard to predict without testing. The benefits of doing regression tests are:. Updating impactful changes will ultimately improve the total quality, optimising it for success. Determining a winner or loser of a regression test is straightforward: which code or group of codes comes closer to its goals functional and non-functional aspects. Regressing is a simple and effective means to satisfy modification requirements. Another great thing about regression tests is scope.

This multivariate nature allows you to test units and integrated entities to get even more in-depth results. An early bug patch often reduces the associated costs. Functional tests only inspect behaviors of the new features and capabilities, yet dismiss how compatible they are with the existing ones.

Therefore, without regression testing, it is more difficult and time-consuming to investigate the root cause and the architecture of the product. Read more: Types of Automation Testing. In other words, if your product undergoes frequent modification, regression testing will be the filter that ensures quality as the product is improved. Regression testing practices vary among organizations. However, there are a few basic steps:. Detect the modification and optimization in the source code; then identify the components or modules that were changed, as well as their impacts on the existing features.

Next, prioritize these modifications and product requirements to streamline the testing process with the corresponding test cases and testing tools. Ensure whether your application meets the preset eligibility before the regression test execution. Determine an exit or final point for the required eligibility or minimum conditions set in step three. Finally, identify all test components and schedule the appropriate time to execute. Is time-based execution to test constant changes one of your priorities in testing?

If so, learn how to easily manage and setup time-based tests orchestration with TestOps. Katalon Studio is an end-to-end automation solution that supports functional and regression testing, transforming these processes into easy and simple tasks for testers.

Katalon Studio provides an all-in-one regression testing tool for your website, web services, and mobile application. The tool also supports running scripts on multiple devices, browsers, and environments. Download Katalon Studio. Selenium offers a set of features used to automate web applications.

It remains among the top tools for browser-based and cross-platform regression testing. Selenium supports automated test scripts that cycle through data sets and data-driven tests. This is a proper solution for large-scale quality assurance teams with advanced testers.

However, its steep learning curve becomes a hindrance for small and mid-size teams. Learn how to easily migrate from Selenium to Katalon Studio. Watir, or Web Application Testing in Ruby, is an open-source library using the Ruby programming language.

It supports writing tests that are easy to read and maintain on a lightweight and flexible user interface. Watir supports diverse user interaction capabilities for website testing, such as clicking links, filling out forms, and validating texts on a variety of browsers. RFT can be used for a wide range of software testing types, including functional, regression, GUI, and data-driven testing, and applications web-based,. Apache JMeter is an open-source test automation software used to load functional test behaviors and measure test performance.

It is capable of many testing features, including support for load and performance tests on many different applications, server or protocol, as well as providing a whole regression test suite for the end users. Learn how to choose the right Automation Testing tools. Regression testing has three most prominent implementation methods, including re-test all, regression test selection, and test case prioritization.

In this technique, regression testing is applied to all existing test suites. Although it is the safest way to ensure all bugs are detected and resolved, this method requires substantial time and resources. That is why the complete regression approach fits better in certain contexts — for example, when the application is adjusted for a new platform or language, or when the operating system gets a major update.

Minimize effort to create a test suite with Parallel Testing. You may select the relevant parts that can be affected by the changes and perform regression testing on these chosen parts only. By picking out the related areas, you can apply limited and relevant test cases to reduce both the time and effort invested in regression testing. You may choose to prioritize test cases that must be included and performed first in the regression testing process.

These test cases should be prioritized based on these criteria: failure rate, business impact, and gradually used functionalities. The test cases that relate to customer-facing aspects and newly added functionalities are of high priority as well.

The two terms re-testing and regression testing can be confusing for automation novices. They might sound similar but are entirely different from each other. Re-testing takes place when a defect in the source code is fixed or when a particular test case fails in the final execution and needs to be re-run. Regression testing is performed to find out whether the updates or changes had caused new defects in the existing functions. This step would ensure the unification of the software.

In a typical software development pipeline, re-testing is performed before regression testing practices. Re-testing solely focuses on the failed test cases; while regression testing is applied to those that have passed, in order to check for unexpected new bugs. Another important note is that re-testing includes error verifications, in contrast to regression testing. Moreover, automation is a crucial feature in regression testing, allowing you to make the most of your test case capabilities. Additionally, regression testing eliminates all underlying side effects caused by code changes in the most cost-effective way possible.

With the Agile development approach , teams can gain numerous benefits and values, such as accelerated time-to-market, ROI, customer support, and product improvements. However, this comes with a significant challenge of balancing between sprint development and iterative testing to avoid conflicts as the product matures.

Agile implementation of regression testing plays a key role in aligning the existing and updated functionalities, avoiding all possible rework in the future. Agile regression testing ensures the business functions are stable and sustainable.

On another note, regression testing helps developers to focus their efforts on building new functionalities for the application rather than keep on returning to check for defects in the old features. Applying regression testing reveals the unexpected risks in software builds, helping developers to respond more quickly and efficiently.

Regression testing is key to improve the overall quality of the product and user experience. The right regression testing tools can significantly identify all surfaced defects and eliminate them early in the pipeline. In addition, regression testing in Agile offers a host of technical and business advantages.

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Regressive Tax This system of taxation generally benefits the higher sections of the society having higher incomes as they need to pay tax at lesser rates. Definition: Regression testing refers to a type of software testing that is used to verify any modification or update in a software without affecting the overall working functionality of the said software. Description: Regression testing is performed when there is a code change in a software application.

This change in the code needs validation before it is made live. Regression testing ensures that the change in the code does not bring up bugs in the workings of the software.