What is Regression Testing?
Regression Testing is a way to test your software which confirms that some new program or any alterations in code does not drastically affect the existing features. It is nothing but a full or partial selection of already executed tests that are re-executed to make sure that the existing functionalities run smoothly.
Regression testing is a sort of testing where you may verify that the changes made in the codebase do not affect the current program functioning. For example, these code modifications might involve introducing new features, resolving problems, or upgrading a present part.
In other words, regression testing implies re-executing test cases that have been cleared in the past against the new version to check that the app’s functions are operating appropriately. Moreover, regression testing is a sequence of tests and not a single test done anytime you introduce a new code.
You can do this to ensure that the code changes do not have any side effects on the existing functions. It also makes sure that the old code still works after the latest code changes are done.
Need for Regression Testing
The need for this kind of testing mainly arises whenever you need to change the code and test if the modified code affects any other part of the software. The Need for Regression Testing usually comes anytime there is a necessity to alter the code, and we need to test whether the changed code impacts the other portion of the program or not. Moreover, regression testing is essential when a new feature is introduced to the software program and for defect correction and performance problem addressing.
How to do Regression Testing
For Regression Testing to happen, first, you need to debug the code to identify the bugs. Then it has to be fixed by doing the required changes, and then the regression testing is done by selecting the relevant test cases from the test suite which cover both modified and affected parts of the code.
Software maintenance requires enhancements, optimization, error correction, and deletion of the existing features. This might result in the system working incorrectly. Thus Regression Testing becomes all the more required. Regression testing can happen using these techniques.
Step 1: Regression Test Selection
As the name implies, you choose the test cases that need re-testing here. You won’t test the complete test suite, and the selection of test cases will rely on the module where there is a change in the source code.
Finally, you separate the test cases into (I) Reusable Test Cases and (ii) Obsolete Test Cases. Reusable ones will be employed for future regression cycles, while you won’t consider Obsolete ones for the following testing cycles.
Here are the ways to find reusable test cases:
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Are very error-prone
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Verify the operation of an app
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Contain features that are visible to users
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Have a recent update in the source code
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Have been completed in the past
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Have failed in prior testing phases
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Are connected to integration
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Are connected to boundary-value
Step 2: Determine the Time for Executing Test Cases
The next step is to estimate the time to run the specified test cases. A few aspects that impact the execution duration include test data development, regression test preparation by the QA team, evaluation of all test cases, etc.
Step 3: Identify the Test Cases that can be Automated
In this stage, depending on the findings of exploratory testing, the QA team may determine the test cases that they can automate. Automated test cases are quicker than manual testing and enable you to reuse the same script again. So, split the test cases into two categories: (I)manual and (ii) automated test cases.
Step 4: Test Cases Prioritization
Here, you assemble all the test cases and prioritize them, i.e., high, medium, and low. Based on this judgment, you will first run the high-priority test cases, followed by medium and low-priority test cases. The priority will rely on the product’s functioning and user interaction.
Below is the waterfall structure of priorities:
Priority 0: The most crucial test cases comprise all the fundamental functionality.
Priority 1: Essential functions, but not a part of essential functioning.
Priority 2: Test instances linked to technical debt.
Step 5: Executing Test Cases
Finally, it’s time to run all the test cases one by one and test if the product is performing as it should or not. You may pick manual testing or automation, depending on the demand. For automated regression testing, leveraging technologies like Selenium, QTP, Watir, etc., helps you run the test cases more quicker.
What are the Regression Testing Tools?
1. Selenium
Selenium is one of the most incredible regression testing software you may have heard about. Consequently, selenium is one of the first names that may enter your mind when it comes to browser-based or cross-platform regression testing. The application delivers automated test scripts via datasets and is particularly appropriate for large-scale quality assurance testing with qualified testers.
2. Katalan Studio
Katalan Studio delivers an end-to-end regression automation testing solution. It seeks to make the testing process easier and more accessible for rookie testers. Katalan Studio is a one-stop solution for online services, web apps, and mobile app testing. Besides all these, the product includes reporting and sophisticated analytics.
3. Watir
Watir is an open-source regression testing tool developed in Ruby. With the aid of this tool, testers may create a test case that is simple to read and comprehend. Also, Watir features a lightweight and flexible user interface. Besides all this, it provides interactive features for website testing, and that’s why it is in great demand.
4. IBM Rational Functional Tester
Rational Functional Tester or RFT is a testing automation tool produced by IBM that covers different tests such as regression, functional testing, data-driven, etc. The device is beneficial for testing other programs such as web apps, .NET, Java, SAP, emulator-based apps, etc. Moreover, RFT streamlines the testing procedure for testers throughout the globe.
5. Apache JMeter
Apache JMeter is an open-source regression test automation program designed by Apache for monitoring test case performance. The software is 100 percent developed in the Java programming language. Some of the primary functions of JMeter include offering a load and performance tests facility, evaluating service performance, and providing a regression testing suite for end users.
6. AdventNet QEngine
AdventNet QEngine is one of the most prominent regression automation testing solutions for online applications. The program is broad, platform-independent, and simple to use and comprehend. Furthermore, AdventNet QEngine offers the multi-platform capability to record scripts in Windows and subsequently playback them in Linux.
7. Subject7
Subject7 is a commonly deployed cloud-based, enterprise-level regression automation testing platform for desktop, online, and mobile apps. The technology provides high-scale parallel execution and is accessible for public, private, and hybrid cloud-ready programs. Whether you look at the instrument from a technical or financial standpoint, it shines out on both of these aspects.
Regression Testing and Configuration Management
At the time of Regression Testing, Configuration Management becomes imperative, especially in agile environments with the code being modified continuously. To make sure that the regression tests are effective you need to follow this:
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The code being tested should be put under a configuration management tool.
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.During the regression test phase, no changes must be allowed to code. Regression Test code should be kept immune to the developer changes.
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You should isolate the database used for regression testing. Database changes shouldn’t be allowed.
Challenges in Regression Testing:
High Upfront Cost: Regression testing is quite time-consuming if done manually. That’s why automation takes precedence, and for that to happen, you want high-end equipment and technologies, which may be pretty costly.
Testing Strategy: Selecting an appropriate testing approach is vital to success as far as regression testing goes. You may have expert resources and technologies at your disposal, but you will struggle if you don’t have a clear strategy for when and how to approach or execute regression testing.
Enormous Scope and Coverage: The effectiveness of regression testing relies on the sort of test cases suite you have prepared. You need to update the regression suite produced between every build and release. Now, remembering each change would be challenging for testers, and regression testing is impossible without it. That’s the only way to cover all the aspects. Thus, the enormous breadth is a great difficulty.
Complexity: As you proceed from the first build to the second and then so on, the number of test cases rises. That’s why the regression test suite will get more and more sophisticated. You will have to test the new instances and the old ones all the time.
Conclusion
Organizations might have averted these deaths if they had completed regression testing before upgrading or introducing a new feature. From the preceding example, you must have recognized the need for regression testing in this day and age.
Regression testing becomes crucial to create high-quality and resilient apps where consumers might stay loyal. Taking such possibilities into mind, in this post, we have given you a thorough picture of regression testing, its kinds, tools, methodologies, and anything else you need to be aware of.
