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Regression testing - A Detailed Guide for 2024


REGRESSION TESTING - A DETAILED GUIDE FOR 2024

May 27, 2024
 by 
Prathitha Iyengar
Prathitha Iyengar
Thought Leadership

In the fast-paced landscape of rapid software development, where upgrades and
modifications are frequent, it is crucial to ensure the stability and quality of
software products. Regression testing plays a vital role here.

Regression testing is a fundamental testing process that consists of repeated
testing of the existing features of any tool, application, or system as it
receives new upgrades. Testers conduct regression tests to ensure that an
application's live and new functionalities remain working and undamaged. Under
this testing approach, the quality analyst checks existing features' functional
and non-functional aspects to ensure no new bugs or errors in the application.

Running regression tests is more than just re-running previous test cases; it
ensures that new functionality is compatible with the existing ones without
breaking the system now or in the future.


WHAT IS REGRESSION TESTING? WHY DO WE NEED IT?

Regression testing is a type of software testing conducted to confirm that a
recent change or upgrade in the application has not adversely affected the
existing functionalities. A tester initiates a regression test soon after the
developer incorporates a new functionality into the application or finishes
fixing a current error. Often, when one code module is changed or upgraded,
another module is likely to be affected due to dependencies existing between
these two.


WHY IS REGRESSION TESTING CRUCIAL? 

A regression testing approach is required to evaluate the overall working of the
application after it has undergone a change for various reasons, including:

- Identifying regression defects: Regression tests help detect any unintended
defects or issues that may have been introduced during software development or
modifications. These tests help examine the functionality of the upgrade.
Regression tests ensure that the change does not interfere with the existing
features of the software and identifies any errors or bugs in the application's
existing functionalities. It also helps determine bugs in the newly pushed code.

- Ensuring stability: This form of testing verifies that the existing
functionality of the software remains intact after changes are made. It helps
detect any unexpected behavior or issues that could impact user experience,
ensuring the stability of the software.

- Mitigating risks: Through comprehensive regression testing, potential risks
associated with changes can be identified and mitigated. It helps prevent
unexpected issues, system failures, or performance degradation that could impact
business operations or user satisfaction.



> Also read: What is Regression Mobile App Testing and Why Do You Need to
> Outsource It?


EXAMPLE OF REGRESSION TESTS

Let's consider a web-based e-commerce application. Suppose the development team
adds a new feature that allows users to apply discount codes during checkout. To
perform regression testing, the following steps could be taken:

 * Comparison and analysis: The regression test results are compared against the
   baseline test results to identify any deviations or discrepancies. Any
   failures or unexpected behavior are thoroughly investigated and reported as
   defects to the development team for resolution.
 * Regression test selection: Test cases related to the impacted areas, such as
   the checkout process and order calculation, are selected for these tests.
   These test cases focus on validating that the existing functionality remains
   intact after the code changes.
 * Baseline testing: Initially, a set of test cases is executed on the existing
   version of the application to establish a baseline of expected behavior. This
   includes testing various functionalities like product browsing, adding
   products to the cart, and completing the purchase without applying any
   discount codes.
 * Code changes: The development team adds a new feature to the application that
   introduces the ability to apply discount codes during checkout.
 * Test execution: The selected regression test cases are executed on the
   modified application to ensure that the new feature works as expected without
   causing any issues in previously functioning areas.
 * Re-test and confirmation: Once the identified issues are fixed, the impacted
   test cases are re-executed to confirm that the fixes are effective and that
   the previously working functionality has been restored.


WHEN TO USE REGRESSION TESTING

Regression testing is crucial at various stages of the SDLC to ensure the
stability and functionality of the application. Here are key scenarios when you
should perform regression testing:

1. AFTER CODE CHANGES

When developers add new code or modify existing code, regression testing is
essential to verify that these changes haven't adversely affected the
application's existing functionality. This includes bug fixes, feature
enhancements, or code refactoring.

2. AFTER INTEGRATION

When integrating new modules or components into the application, regression
testing ensures that the integration does not introduce new bugs or issues. It
helps verify that the integrated components work seamlessly with the existing
system.

3. DURING MAJOR RELEASES

Before rolling out major releases or updates, testers must conduct extensive
regression testing to ensure the new version does not disrupt existing features
and functionalities. This is particularly important for applications with a
large user base or critical functionalities.

4. POST MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES

After performing routine maintenance activities, such as updating libraries,
frameworks, or other dependencies, regression testing helps ensure that these
updates do not negatively impact the application.

5. AFTER PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENTS

When performance optimizations are made to the application, regression testing
verifies that these improvements do not compromise the correctness and
reliability of the application. This includes testing for any unintended side
effects that might degrade user experience.

6. BEFORE AND AFTER DEPLOYMENTS

Regression testing ensures that deploying new changes will not introduce new
issues. Post-deployment regression testing helps identify any problems in the
live environment, ensuring quick resolution and minimal impact on users.

7. DURING CONTINUOUS INTEGRATION/CONTINUOUS DEPLOYMENT (CI/CD)

In a CI/CD pipeline, regression testing is an integral part of the process.
Automated regression tests run after every code commit to detect issues early in
the development cycle, ensuring a stable and reliable application at all times.

By strategically incorporating regression testing in these scenarios, teams can
maintain the quality and reliability of their applications, providing a seamless
and bug-free experience for users.


STRATEGIES TO PERFORM REGRESSION TESTS - WHAT TO TEST, HOW OFTEN, AND MORE

Regression testing strategy depends on several key factors, like how often
developers upgrade the application, how significant the new change is, and what
existing sections it could affect.

Here are some tried and tested proven strategies that you could follow during
regression testing:

 * The regression testing approach must cover all the possible test cases and
   impacted functionalities.
 * When introducing automation testing, outline the test cases and scenarios to
   know which should be automated and manually tested.
 * Focus on the testing process, technology, and roles when automating
   regression testing.

 * Measure or change the scale of the upgrade to determine how likely it would
   affect the application.
 * Perform risk analysis based on the size of your business/project and its
   complexity, along with its importance.

> Check out: Why Mobile App Regression Testing is Critical for Sustained Success


HOW DOES ONE MANAGE REGRESSION RISKS AND ENSURE THEY DON'T IMPACT THE PRODUCT
RELEASE SCHEDULE?

The risks associated with regression testing of a software can significantly
impact the product release schedule. The following are some tips for managing
regression risks:

 * Proactively identify and assess regression risks before starting the testing
   process. You can then focus all your efforts on the most critical areas.
 * Use a structured approach for managing regression risks, such as a risk
   registry or risk management plan; this will help ensure that all threats are
   captured and tracked.
 * Use risk mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of identified risks. For
   example, if a particular threat could result in data loss, you could create
   backups to mitigate the risk.
 * Communicate any potential impacts of regression risks to stakeholders to make
   informed decisions about the release schedule.

While regression tests are an essential part of the software development
process, they can also be time-consuming and costly. Automating regression tests
can help reduce the cost and time consumed for testing while providing high
coverage. When deciding whether to automate regression testing, consider the
following:

 * The type of application under test: Automated regression testing may not be
   feasible for all applications. For example, if the application has a complex
   user interface, it may be challenging to automate UI-based tests.
 * The frequency of changes: If the application is subject to frequent changes,
   automated regression tests can help save time in the long run.
 * The resources available: Automated regression testing requires a significant
   upfront investment in time and resources. If the project budget is limited,
   automating all regression tests may not be possible.
 * The coverage desired: Automated regression tests can provide high coverage if
   well-designed. However, manual testing may be necessary to supplement
   automated tests and achieve 100% coverage.

> Also check: Regression Intelligence practical guide for advanced users


HOW DO YOU PERFORM REGRESSION TESTS ON YOUR APPLICATIONS OR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS?

In general, there are three steps for performing these tests: 

 * Prepare for manual and automated tests: This involves getting the required
   tools and resources ready, such as test data, test cases, test scripts, and
   more.
 * Identify which changes or upgrades on existing modules of the application
   will impact its functionalities: You need to specifically identify which
   areas of the application will be affected by the changes or upgrades to focus
   your testing efforts on those areas.
 * Use manual and automated tests accordingly: Once you have identified the
   impacted functionalities, you can use both manual and automation tests to
   validate that the changes or upgrades have not adversely affected those
   functionalities.

Some of the most common regressions that need testing include functionalities
such as login, search, and checkout. To detect these regressions, you can use
different methods such as checking the application's output against expected
results, performing functional tests, and using automated tools such as
HeadSpin.


DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AUTOMATED REGRESSION TESTING AND FUNCTIONAL TESTING

Functional testing and regression testing are two distinct but complementary
approaches to software quality assurance. While functional testing focuses on
verifying the correctness of individual features, regression testing is
concerned with preserving existing functionality after making changes to the
code. Both approaches are essential for ensuring that software meets customer
expectations and can be deployed safely to production environments.

A crucial part of any continuous integration or delivery pipeline, automated
regression testing helps ensure that new code changes do not break existing
functionality. By running a suite of automated tests against every build,
developers can quickly identify and fix any regressions before reaching
production.

While enterprises focus on different aspects of regression testing, it is
essential for them to consider the growing agile landscape and how this
landscape can impact the testing practices. Quicker ROI and time-to-market,
constant app upgrades, and better use of user feedback have all been major
benefits ushered by agile, but it is often a challenge to balance agile sprints
with iterative practices like regression testing. The following section offers a
clearer view of regression testing in the agile scenario.




THE IMPORTANCE OF REGRESSION TESTING

In the dynamic world of software development, regression testing stands as a
cornerstone of quality assurance, ensuring that once operational software
continues to perform well after it has been altered or interfaced with new
software. Below, we explore why regression testing is indispensable:


ENSURING SOFTWARE STABILITY

Regression testing is vital for verifying that the existing functionalities of
an application continue to operate as expected after any modifications. This
could include code changes, updates, or enhancements. The goal is to ensure that
the new changes do not introduce any unintended disruptions to the functioning
of the software.


DETECTING BUGS EARLY

One of the key benefits of regression testing is its ability to identify defects
early in the development cycle. This saves time and significantly reduces the
cost associated with fixing bugs later in the development process. By catching
regressions early, teams can avoid the complexities of digging into deeper
layers of code to resolve issues that could have been avoided.


FACILITATING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

As software evolves, regression testing ensures that each new release maintains
or improves the quality of the user experience. It supports continuous
improvement by enabling teams to continuously assess changes' impact, ensuring
the software remains robust and reliable.


SUPPORTING INTEGRATION

In today's tech environment, applications rarely operate in isolation. They
often interact with other systems and software. Regression testing verifies that
updates or new features work harmoniously within the existing system and with
external interfaces without causing disruptions.


AIDING SCALABILITY

As applications grow and more features are added, regression testing becomes
crucial to ensure enhancements do not compromise the system's scalability. It
helps confirm that the system can handle increased loads and scale without
issues.

> Check out: Top Regression Testing Tools - A Comprehensive Overview


THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGRESSION TESTING AND RETESTING

The terms "regression testing" and "retesting" are often heard in software
testing, but they refer to very different processes. Understanding these
differences is crucial for effective test planning and execution.

Retesting, also known as confirmation testing, is the process of testing
specific defects that have been recently fixed. This type of testing is focused
and narrow in scope. It is conducted to ensure that the specific issue fixed in
a software application no longer exists in the patched version. Retesting is
carried out based on defect fixes and is usually planned in the test cases. The
main goal is to verify the effectiveness of the specific fix and confirm that
the exact issue has been resolved.

On the other hand, regression testing is a broader concept. After retesting or
any software change, it is performed to confirm that recent program or code
changes have not adversely affected existing functionalities. Regression testing
is comprehensive; it involves testing the entire application or significant
parts to ensure that modifications have not broken or degraded any existing
functionality. This type of testing is crucial whenever there are continuous
changes and enhancements in an application to maintain system integrity over
time.

Key Differences:

 * Purpose: Retesting is done to check whether a specific bug fix works as
   intended, while regression testing ensures that the recent changes have not
   created new problems in unchanged areas of the software.
 * Scope: Retesting has a narrow scope focused only on the particular areas
   where the fixes were applied, whereas regression testing has a wide scope
   that covers potentially affected areas of the application beyond the specific
   fixes.
 * Basis: Retesting is based on defect fixes, typically done after receiving a
   defect fix from a developer. Regression testing is based on the areas that
   might be affected by recent changes, encompassing a larger part of the
   application.
 * Execution: Retesting is carried out before regression testing and only on the
   new builds where defects were fixed, while regression testing can be done
   multiple times throughout the software lifecycle to verify the application's
   performance and functionality continually.

Understanding the distinct roles and applications of retesting and regression
testing allows quality assurance teams to allocate their resources better and
plan their testing phases, ultimately leading to more robust and reliable
software delivery.


CHALLENGES IN REGRESSION TESTING

Regression testing, an essential part of maintaining and enhancing software
quality, faces numerous challenges that complicate development. Understanding
these challenges can help teams prepare better strategies and tools to manage
them effectively.


TIME CONSTRAINTS

As software projects evolve, the number of test cases needed to cover all
features and functionalities grows. Running these comprehensive test suites can
become time-consuming, especially in continuous integration environments
requiring quick turnarounds. Balancing thorough testing with the demand for
rapid development cycles remains a critical challenge.


RESOURCE ALLOCATION

Regression testing often requires significant computational resources to execute
many test cases. In addition, human resources are needed to analyze test
results, update test cases, and manage the testing process. Efficiently
allocating these resources without overspending or overworking team members is a
key issue many organizations face.


TEST MAINTENANCE

As software is updated or expanded, regression test cases must be reviewed and
updated to cover new features and changes. This ongoing maintenance can be
burdensome as it requires constant attention to ensure that tests remain
relevant and effective. Neglecting test maintenance can lead to outdated tests
that no longer reflect software health accurately.


PRIORITIZATION OF TEST CASES

Test cases vary in importance, and frequently running less critical tests can
waste valuable time and resources. Determining which test cases are crucial and
should be run in every regression cycle versus those that can be run less
frequently is a challenge. To solve it, you need a deep understanding of the app
and its most critical components.


FLAKY TESTS

Flaky tests, or tests that exhibit inconsistent results, pose a significant
challenge in regression testing. They can lead to teams ignoring important test
failures or wasting time investigating false positives. Managing, identifying,
and fixing flaky tests require a structured approach and can be
resource-intensive.


KEEPING UP WITH TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES

Regression testing strategies and tools must evolve as new technologies and
development practices are adopted. Staying current with these changes without
disrupting existing workflows is an ongoing challenge for testing teams.

Also check:


CREATING AN EFFECTIVE REGRESSION TEST PLAN

A regression test plan is a pivotal document that outlines the strategy,
objectives, and scope of the regression testing process. It comprises various
essential components to ensure an efficient and effective testing procedure.


KEY GOALS FOR THE REGRESSION TEST PLAN

 * Comprehensive Testing: Encompass all software aspects within the testing
   framework.
 * Automation of Tests: Automate tests to enhance efficiency and reliability.
 * Test Maintenance: Plan for test maintenance to ensure tests remain
   up-to-date.


ASSUMPTIONS AND DEPENDENCIES

 * Stable Application Version: Assume the application version is stable with no
   major architectural overhauls.
 * Real-world Simulation: Assume the test environment accurately replicates a
   real-world setup.
 * Availability of Test Cases and Data: Assume the availability and accuracy of
   test cases and test data.

Ensure all these assumptions and dependencies are documented for effective
collaboration among teams.


ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF THE REGRESSION TEST PLAN

 1. Test Cases: Define comprehensive test cases based on scenarios and
    requirements, covering all system functionalities.
 2. Test Environment: Identify necessary hardware and software configurations,
    including the app version, OS, and database.
 3. Test Data: Develop consistent and diverse test data for various testing
    scenarios.
 4. Test Execution: Define the test execution schedule, resources required, and
    regression test timeline.
 5. Defect Management: Establish a process for reporting, tracking, and managing
    defects, incorporating severity and priority levels.
 6. Risk Analysis: Identify risks associated with regression testing and devise
    a mitigation plan to manage them.
 7. Test Sign-off: Define criteria for successful test sign-off, including
    required metrics and results.
 8. Documentation: Prepare comprehensive documentation covering test cases, test
    data, results, and defect reports.

The regression test plan ensures a robust testing infrastructure and facilitates
efficient testing processes by encompassing these key elements.

> Read: Why Understanding Regression Defects Is Crucial


REGRESSION TESTING IN AGILE 

In the agile context, testing is required to develop with every sprint, and
testers need to ensure that the new changes don’t impact the existing
functionality of the application. There are numerous and frequent build cycles
in agile contexts, along with continuous changes being added to the app, which
makes regression testing more critical in the agile landscape. To achieve
success in an agile landscape, the testing team must build the regression suite
from the onset of the product development and continue developing these
alongside development sprints. 


THE KEY REASON FOR CONSIDERING REGRESSION TESTS SHOWCASE IN AGILE DEVELOPMENT

In any agile framework, very often, the team focuses on functionality that is
planned for the sprint. But when the team pertains to a particular product
space, they aren’t expected to consider the risks their changes might lead to in
the entire system. This is where regression testing showcases the areas that
have been affected by the recent alterations across the codebase. Regression
testing in agile seamlessly helps ensure the continuity of business functions
with any rapid changes in the software and enables the team to focus on
developing new features in the sprint along with overall functionality.


CREATING TEST PLANS FOR REGRESSION TESTING IN AGILE

There are multiple ways that regression tests have been embraced into agile,
which primarily depend on the type of product and the kind of testing it
requires. The two common ways of constructing test plans for regression testing
in Agile are:

 1. Sprint-level regression testing - This type of test emphasizes on executing
    the test cases that have emerged only after the last release.

 2. End-to-end regression testing - This type of test focuses on covering tests
    on all core functionalities present in the product.

Based on the level of development and product stability, a suitable approach for
test plan creation can be deployed. 


HOW CAN YOU PERFORM REGRESSION TESTING IN AN AGILE SCENARIO?

Agile teams move very fast, and regression suites can thereby become very
complex if not executed with the right strategy. In large projects, it is wiser
for teams to prioritize regression tests. However, in many cases, teams are
compelled to prioritize based on ‘tribal knowledge’ of the product areas, which
are more prone to error and are anecdotal evidence from production faults and
ineffective metrics like defect density. 

To perform regression tests in agile, it is essential for teams to consider
certain critical aspects like:

 1. Making it a practice to differentiate sprint-level regression tests from
    regular regression test cycles.

 2. Focusing on choosing advanced automated testing tools that help generate
    detailed reports and visualizations like graphs on test execution cycles.
    These reports, in most scenarios, assist in evaluating the total ROI. 

 3. Updating regression test scripts on a regular basis to accommodate the
    frequent changes.

 4. Leveraging the continuous changes to the requirements and features driven by
    agile systems along with changes in test codes for the regression tests.

Categorizing the test cases on the basis of high, medium, and low priorities.
End-to-end testing flows effectively at the high-priority test suite, the field
level validations at a moderate level, and the UI and content-related tests at a
low level. Categorization of test cases enables new testers to quickly grasp the
testing approach and offer robust support in accelerating the test execution
process. Prioritizing test cases also allows teams to make the process simpler
and easier to execute, thereby streamlining the testing process and outcomes.

> Also read: How to Make the Most of Regression and Unit Testing - A
> Comprehensive Guide


CREATING REGRESSION TESTS STRATEGY FOR AGILE TEAMS

Repeated tests for continually expanding and altering codebases are often
time-consuming and prone to errors. As agile development primarily focuses on
speed, the sprint cycles are short, and developers often eliminate specific
features in each. To avoid any emerging issues, regression testing needs to be
effectively strategized and aligned with agile principles and processes.
Following are some of the techniques for testing regressions seamlessly in the
agile process:

 * Embracing automation - In order to speed up regression tests for Agile
   sprints, automation is almost non-negotiable. Teams must begin with automated
   regression test scripts and then proceed with making alterations with every
   new feature. Automated regression tests are best suited after the product has
   been developed to a significant extent. Also, these regression tests should
   be coupled with certain manual verifications to identify false positives or
   negatives. 

 * Focusing on severely vulnerable areas of the software - As developers are
   well aware of their software, they should narrow down the specific
   areas/features/functionalities/elements of the product that have high
   probabilities of getting impacted by the changes in every sprint. Also,
   user-facing functionalities and integral backend issues should be verified
   with regular regression tests. A collaborative approach for testing app
   regressions can be fruitful in helping developers combine the benefits of
   both testing approaches.

 * Incorporating automation only in specific limits - However much the test
   infrastructure is modernized, aiming for complete or 100% automation is not a
   viable option. Certain tasks like writing test scripts and verifying results
   by human testers need to be executed for improved testing outcomes. Deploying
   the right percentage of automation will result in a lesser number of false
   positives/negatives, which is suitable for identifying regressions in agile.
   However, with the rising focus on assuring high product quality, implementing
   the right techniques and proportion of automation in regression testing in an
   agile environment has enabled teams to guarantee a more stable and reliable
   product at the end of every sprint each time.


DIFFERENT METHODS OF SETTING UP A REGRESSION TESTING FRAMEWORK

When the testing team opts for automated regression testing, they simultaneously
must define the test automation framework for the purpose. By defining the test
automation framework, testers can give a definite structure to the test cases
when they are automated. Here is how a defined architecture plays a vital role
in automated testing:

 * A designated QA professional, along with their preferred choice of automation
   testing tool
 * A suitable and relevant structure includes test cases and test suites.
 * A basic testing script to run the regression tests, which is also scalable
   and accommodating to the new test cases
 * Before developing a test automation framework, QA professionals complete
   integration tasks to ensure that they can focus solely on running the script
   for regression testing.


BEST PRACTICES FOR REGRESSION TESTING - TIPS ON IMPROVING YOUR PROCESS

 * Make detailed test case scenarios for regressing the testing approach.
 * Keep the test case file updated with new scenarios and perform regression
   tests based on that file.
 * Create a standard procedure for regressing testing regularly.
 * Identify the functionalities or application areas at high risk due to recent
   upgrades or changes.
 * Link these tests with functional as well as non-functional testing.
 * Run regression tests after every successful compiling of the new code.
 * Design the regression tests approach based on the risk factors surrounding
   the business model for the application.
 * Perform desired regression tests action and compare it with the
   expected/previous response for correctness.
 * Integrate automated regression testing into your continuous integration or
   delivery pipeline; this will help ensure that new code changes do not break
   existing functionality and that any regressions are quickly identified and
   fixed.
 * Establish a process for the regression tests and ensure that everyone
   involved in the project is aware of it; this will help ensure that you and
   your team take the necessary steps to test all changes adequately.
 * Identify the changes or upgrades done on existing modules of the application
   that will impact its functionalities; this will help you focus your testing
   efforts during regression testing on those areas.
 * Use manual and automated tests to validate that the changes or upgrades have
   not adversely affected functionalities; this will help you catch any
   regressions that the changes or upgrades may have introduced.

> Check: Regression Testing Best Practices for Reliable Software Releases


TYPES OF TESTS THAT YOU CAN USE IN A REGRESSION FRAMEWORK

There are several types of tests you can conduct using a regression testing
framework:

 * Re-run previous test cases and compare the results with the earlier outputs
   to check the application's integrity after code modification
 * Conduct regression testing of a software by running only a part of the test
   suite, which might be affected due to the code change
 * Take an approach for testing regressions where you execute test cases
   priority-wise; you run higher priority cases before lower priority test cases
   (You can prioritize test cases based on checking the upgraded/subsequent
   version of the application or the current version.)
 * The above two techniques can be combined for hybrid test selection, assessing
   regressions for a part of the test suite based on its priority.


COMMON MISTAKES WHEN RUNNING REGRESSIONS TESTS

Developers can make common mistakes that they can prevent with extra care. Here
are a few errors that you can avoid making:

 * Avoiding conducting regression testing after code release/change or bug fix
   is a mistake.
 * Not defining a framework for testing regressions or not sticking to one will
   execute arbitrary test cases and suites on any automation tool that would
   cost time, money, and bug identification.
 * Not defining a goal and making it invisible to everyone involved in the
   project.
 * Re-running the same test cases is time-consuming and costly; yet, regression
   tests is necessary to ensure the application does not break when upgrading it
   to a newer version.
 * Not opting for automation testing over the manual approach.

These are the most common mistakes any professional can make while conducting
regression testing. To avoid these, HeadSpin offers an intelligent regression
testing approach that includes an automated solution to all your regression
issues.

> Also check: Guide to Understand AI's Transforming Impact on Visual Regression
> Testing


TOOLS TO PERFORM YOUR SOFTWARE REGRESSION TESTING

These are some of the most famous regression testing tools available today. Each
has its strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the right tool for your specific
needs is essential.

 * HeadSpin Regression Platform is a regression testing tool that uses
   intelligent test automation to test web and mobile applications. HeadSpin
   designed the platform to help developers quickly identify and fix any
   regressions before reaching production. HeadSpin Regression Platform
   integrates with various development tools and supports many browsers and
   operating systems, making it a versatile option for regression testing.

 * Selenium WebDriver is a popular open-source tool for web application
   regression testing. Testers can use it to automate tests against both web and
   mobile applications. It supports various browsers and operating systems,
   making it a versatile option for regression tests.
 * JUnit is a popular open-source unit testing framework for Java development.
   Testers can also use it for regression testing by creating test cases that
   exercise the functionality of an application. JUnit is easy to use and
   integrates various development tools, making it a good option for regression
   tests.
 * TestNG is another popular open-source testing framework, similar to JUnit. It
   also supports regression testing and has good integration with various
   development tools.
 * Cucumber is a popular tool for behavior-driven development (BDD). Testers can
   use it for regression testing by creating test scenarios that exercise the
   functionality of an application. Cucumber's readable syntax makes it easy to
   build regression tests that both developers and non-technical stakeholders
   understand.
 * Appium is a tool for mobile application regression testing. Testers can use
   it to automate tests against native, web, and hybrid mobile applications.
   Appium supports a wide variety of mobile platforms, making it a versatile
   tool for regression testing.
 * Watir is a tool for regression testing of web applications. Testers can use
   it to automate tests against web applications using the Ruby programming
   language. Watir integrates with various development tools, making it a good
   option for regression testing.
 * Sahi Pro is a regression testing tool for web applications. Testers can use
   it to automate tests against web applications using the Sahi script language.
   Sahi Pro integrates with various development tools and supports a wide range
   of browsers and operating systems, making it a good option for this testing
   approach.

HeadSpin's data science driven approach toward delivering aggregation and
regression testing insights helps professionals monitor, analyze, and determine
the changes in the application. HeadSpin offers build-over-build regression and
location-to-location comparison with its AI-powered regression intelligence
across new app builds, OS releases, feature additions, locations, and more.

‍

> Read: Top Regression Testing Tools - A Comprehensive Overview


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)


Q1. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGRESSION TESTING AND RETESTING?

Ans: Regression testing focuses on verifying that existing functionality has not
been impacted by changes while retesting focuses on confirming that a specific
defect has been fixed. Regression testing is broader in scope and covers
multiple functionalities, while retesting is more specific and targets a single
defect.


Q2. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TYPES OF TESTS THAT YOU CAN CONDUCT AS PART OF
REGRESSION TESTING?

Ans: Re-run previous test cases, run regression testing by running only a part
of the test suite, and take a regression testing approach where you execute test
cases priority-wise. These are some types of tests that you can conduct as
regression testing.


Q3. HOW CAN WE MEASURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REGRESSION TESTING?

Ans: The effectiveness of regression testing can be measured by tracking the
number of defects found post-release, analyzing the test coverage achieved,
monitoring the stability of the software over multiple releases, and gathering
feedback from stakeholders.



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