Regression Testing is a sort of testing that is done to ensure that a code change in the software does not influence the current functioning of the product. This confirms that the product functions correctly with new functionality, bug fixes, or other modifications to the present feature. Previously performed test cases are re-executed to validate the effect of the change.
Regression Testing is a Software Testing type in which test cases are re-executed to evaluate whether the old functionality of the application is performing correctly and the new modifications have not caused any new defects. A regression test may be conducted on a new build when there is a significant change in the original functionality, even in a single bug fix.
Regression implies retesting the fundamental elements of the application.
Regression Test Overview
A regression test is like a verification approach. Test cases are often automated since test cases are needed to be performed again and again, and executing the same test cases, again and again, manually, is a time-consuming and tiresome one too.
For Example, Consider a product X, in which one of the capabilities is to trigger confirmation, acceptance, and despatched emails when the Confirm, Accept, and Dispatch buttons are pressed.
Some errors arise in the confirmation email, and in order to address the same, some programming adjustments are made. In this scenario, not only do the Confirmation emails need to be reviewed, but Acceptance and Dispatch emails also need to be tested to confirm that the modification in the code has not impacted them.
Regression Testing is not dependant on any programming language like Java, C++, C#, etc. This is a testing procedure that is used to test the product for adjustments or for any updates being done. It checks that any alteration to a product has no effect on the product’s current modules.
Ascertain that the bug has been repaired and that the newly added features have not introduced any issues in the software’s prior functional version.
When a new build is available for verification, testers do Functional Testing. The purpose of this test is to validate both existing and newly introduced functionality.When this test is complete, the tester should check that existing functionality is functioning as anticipated and that the new modifications have not produced any defects in previously functioning functionality.
Regression tests should be included in the Release Cycle and must be taken into account while estimating the test.
When Should This Test Be Performed?
Regression testing is often conducted after modifications or new functionality has been verified. This is not always the case, though. Regression tests must be included in the daily test cycle for the release that will take months to complete. When Functional Testing is complete for the changes in a weekly release, regression tests may be run.
The term “regression checking” refers to a variant of the term “retest” (which is simply to repeat a test). The cause for retesting might be anything. Assume you were testing a certain feature at the end of the day; you were unable to complete the test and were forced to halt the process without determining whether the test succeeded or failed.
When you return the next day, you repeat the test – this signifies you are repeating a previous test. A Retest is a simple process of redoing a test.
At its heart, a regression test is a kind of retest. It is just for the unique occasion when anything has been altered in the application/code. It might be code, design, or anything else that controls the system’s general structure.
A Regression Test is used in this case to ensure that the modification produced no effect on something that was already functioning.
The most typical reason for this is because new versions of the code were developed (due to an expansion in scope/requirement), or problems were resolved.
Can Manual Regression Testing Be Performed?
I was teaching one of these days in my class when a student asked, “Can regression be performed manually?”
I responded to the question, and the class continued. Everything seemed to be OK, but this question nagged me for a long time afterward.
Throughout the several batches, the same question is asked multiple times in a variety of different ways.
Among them are the following:
- Do we need a tool to execute the tests?
- How are Regression Tests Conducted?
- Even after a whole cycle of testing, novices sometimes struggle to understand what a regression test is.
Of course, there is the original query:
- Is it possible to do this testing manually?
To begin, test execution is a straightforward process that involves the use of your Types of Regression Testing.
The following sections discuss the many forms of Regression:
- Regression on Units
- Regression in Partial
- Extensive Regression
Regression on Units
Unit Regression occurs during the Unit Testing phase, where code is tested in isolation, which means that all dependencies on the unit being tested are blocked, allowing the unit to be tested independently and without discrepancies.
Partial Regression
Partial Regression is used to ensure that the code continues to function even after modifications have been made and the new unit is merged with the unaltered or previously existing code.
Extensive Regression
Complete Regression is used when a change in the code affects several modules and also when the effect of a change in another module is unknown. The whole product is regressed to see whether any modifications occurred as a result of the modified code.
To What Extent Is Regression Necessary?
This is determined by the extent of the newly introduced features.
If the scope of a remedy or feature is too broad, the application area that will be impacted will also be fairly broad. Therefore testing should be conducted exhaustively, including all application test cases. However, this may be determined efficiently when the tester receives feedback from a developer about the scope, type, and magnitude of the change.
Due to the repeated nature of these tests, they may be automated to the point where a group of test cases can be simply performed on a new build.
Regression test cases must be carefully chosen to ensure that the greatest amount of functionality is covered with the fewest possible test cases. These test cases need continual updating to account for newly introduced capabilities.
It gets very tough when the application’s scope is quite large, and the system is subjected to continual increments or patches. In these instances, specific tests must be performed to economize on testing costs and time. These select test cases were chosen based on the system’s upgrades and the areas where they may have the most impact.
What Is The Purpose Of A Regression Check?
- Conduct the previously completed tests once again.
- Contrast the present findings with those of past tests
This is an ongoing activity that occurs at different points throughout the software testing lifecycle.
A recommended practice is to do a regression test after Sanity or Smoke Testing and at the conclusion of Functional Testing to allow for a brief release.
A regression Test Plan should be prepared in order to perform successful testing. This plan should include a method for regression testing and exit criteria. This test also includes performance testing to ensure that system performance is not impacted by modifications to system components.
Best practices: Every day in the evening, run automated test cases to ensure that any regression side effects may be addressed in the next day’s build. This decreases release risk by covering practically all regression bugs early in the release cycle rather than discovering and correcting them at the end.
RH Test cases and executing those steps on the AUT, providing test data, and comparing the result received on the AUT to the anticipated outcome specified in your test cases.
We set the pass/fail state of the test case based on the comparison result. Executing tests is as simple as that; no extra tools are required for this operation.
For more information regarding software testing such as Agile testing, you can also check our management section on our website by clicking here.