Regression testing ensures that a code change doesn’t impact the product’s functionality and the product functions properly with any added functionality or bug fixes.
Cutthroat competition and customer expectations encourage businesses to develop high-functioning products by adding new features. Whether these changes are complex or simple, they affect the existing functionality of the product. Therefore, it is crucial to test that the induction of new changes is not impacting the existing functionality of the product itself. Thus, regression testing helps QA experts in ensuring the product’s optimum efficacy in the current operating environment.
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This blog demonstrates the significance, impact, and benefits of regression testing.
1. Why is Regression Testing Important?
Consider the frequency of updates for your most used applications. Imagine that the important functionalities of your application fail when updates are deployed. Regression testing enables developers to constantly enhance applications without affecting the user’s experience. It not only ensures the compatibility of new code with existing features but also that it functions as intended.
2. When Should Businesses Start Performing Regression Testing?
This type of testing should be performed when:
1. A software bug or error is fixed.
2. A new feature or functionality is added.
3. A new module or component is integrated into an existing system.
4. Requirements are changed.
5. The software’s user interface (UI) has changed.
3. Importance of Regression Testing in Agile Methodology:
Agile methodology focuses on rapid and iterative development, where features are added to the product during each cycle and developed in sprints. Testing cycles should ideally be kept brief to maintain a proper balance between iterative and sprint development cycles. Regression testing accompanies the deployment of features because, in an agile environment, developers release features frequently. Two types of regression testing occur in an agile environment: partial (iteration) testing and full (major) testing. Only the features created during the iteration are tested in partial regression testing, whereas the entire software is tested before release in complete regression testing.
4. Importance of Regression Testing in DevOps:
Continuous development, integration, continuous testing, delivery, monitoring, and feedback are all part of DevOps. DevOps ensures that software is continuously developed, tested, and fixed to ensure faster delivery of bug-free software.
Regression testing is carried out in the DevOps environment after every change and at each stage of the DevOps cycle. Regression testing is carried out whenever software changes are made to examine new code additions and existing functionalities to ensure the software continues functioning as intended, after modifications. A quicker feedback loop assists DevOps in identifying and resolving bugs at each stage before proceeding to the final production stage.
5. Regression Testing Strategy:
The regression testing strategy includes information about the release process, checkpoints, definitions, automated Testing, RACI, recommended tools, and more. It also has test objectives, time allotted for testing, resources, methods, the testing environment, and how regression testing can be incorporated into the overall project vision. However, careful planning and the appropriate selection of software testing techniques are required to ensure that the regression testing process moves in the right direction and produces meaningful results.
Steps to Develop a Solid Regression Testing Strategy for Your Business
1. Determine whether regression testing is necessary:
Finding a need for software regression testing is the first step. The regression testing approach should ideally be used as soon as there are changes made to the software. Regression test scripts help achieve the primary objective of this testing.
2. Start by conducting a smoke and sanity test:
To save the tester time and effort, smoke and sanity testing must be done before the regression testing process starts. The software’s fundamental and core functions are quickly tested during the smoke and sanity testing Regression Testing enables testers to determine whether a build is stable and whether to push it forward for additional testing procedures.
3. Define exit criteria:
Establishing the entry and exit criteria is crucial before the test begins. The test objectives and requirements should sync at the entry and exit points. Determining the entry and exit points thereby facilitates the testing procedure.
4. Create and order your test cases according to the most critical scenarios:
QA testes have to test the conflicting areas of the software first and develop test scenarios addressing these issues. Additionally, test case prepping and priorities should revolve around tricky areas.
5. Automation Regression Testing:
The test cases that can be automated should be identified by testers to complete a regression testing cycle. QA professionals can use different testing automation tools for regression tests. Test automation benefits users with better test coverage, early bug detection, quicker releases, and saves time and efforts.
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6. Feedback:
All stakeholders, including development teams, should be informed of the test strategy once it has been created. Additionally, it’s important to regularly gather input from team members and stakeholders to adjust the regression testing strategy to produce meaningful results.
6. Benefits of Implementing a Successful Regression Testing Strategy
1. Bug Identification and Rectification:
Every time a software modification is made, there is a fair chance that new bugs may present or previously resolved bugs might be reintroduced. The flaws that appear in software following frequent code changes must be found and fixed using an efficient regression testing method supported by a sound testing approach.
2. Reduces the Time and Cost of testing:
An efficient regression testing plan ensures that the tests are finished as quickly as possible so that organizations can enter the market. An effective testing procedure ensures that the old bugs do not reappear, preventing the expense of bug fixes.
3. Easily handles testing complexity:
Regression testing typically expands and becomes more intricate over time. Regression tests help manage complicated tests effectively with a sound regression testing strategy.
4. Ensures optimal use of resources and testing equipment:
A successful regression testing strategy requires meticulous planning to guarantee that the teams are aware of their roles and responsibilities in advance. The right regression testing equipment and resources should be planned to improve process outcomes.
Conclusion:
Businesses today operate in an extremely unpredictable market-driven environment. Companies go to great lengths to make their software aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly to satisfy their customers. Businesses should adhere to sound regression testing procedures and techniques when they make ongoing modifications to their software, ensuring high-quality and bug-free software.
Businesses can also avail regression testing services from a next-generation QA and software testing provider to get their desired high-quality product.
