Regression testing is a software testing technique that is used to verify that changes to a software program do not introduce new bugs. In other words, it is a way of ensuring that previous functionality still works as expected after new code has been introduced.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to regression testing. On the one hand, it can be an effective way to uncover hidden bugs that might otherwise go undetected.
On the other hand, it can be time-consuming and expensive, especially if automated tests are not used. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of regression testing in more detail. We will also provide some tips on how to make the most of this testing technique.
What is regression testing?
Regression testing is a type of software testing service that is used to verify that software which was previously developed and tested still performs correctly after it has been changed or upgraded. A regression test checks whether a software application still works after a change has been made to it, such as the addition of new features, patching or other changes.
Advantages:
– Can help ensure that changes to the software have not introduced new bugs
– Can give confidence that the software is still working correctly after changes have been made
– Can help find bugs that may have been introduced by the changes
Disadvantages:
– Can be time-consuming and expensive to carry out comprehensive regression testing on large and complex applications
– Changes to the codebase can make existing tests obsolete, meaning they need to be updated or rewritten
Advantages of regression testing
Regression testing is a sort of software testing that looks for new flaws in functionality that already exists. This makes regression testing an essential part of the software development process. Here are some advantages of regression testing:
1. Regression testing can help ensure that new code changes do not break existing functionality.
2. Regression tests can be used to verify that bug fixes are effective and do not introduce new bugs.
3. Automated regression tests can be run frequently and at low cost, making them an efficient way to check for regressions during the development process.
4. Regression tests can provide confidence that a system is functioning properly before release.
Disadvantages of regression testing include:
Disadvantages of regression testing
1. The scope of regression tests can be large, making it difficult to cover all potential areas for regression with limited resources.
2. If a test suite is not well-designed, it may miss important regressions or produce false positives (false alarms).
3. Automated regression tests may require significant effort to maintain if the test suite is not kept up-to-date with code changes.
One of the main disadvantages of regression testing is that it can be very time-consuming. This is because all of the tests that were previously run need to be re-run, which can take a lot of time and effort.
Another disadvantage of regression testing is that it can be difficult to know when to stop. This is because it can be hard to know when all of the potential bugs have been found and fixed.
Finally, regression testing can also be expensive. This is because it often requires specialised tools and resources, which can add up to a significant cost.
How to do regression testing
Regression testing is a process of testing changes to software to make sure that the new changes haven’t caused any unintended effects. This type of testing is usually done after functional testing and unit testing have been completed and the software is ready for release.
There are several different methods that can be used for regression testing, including:
-Retesting all functionality that has been changed or added since the last release
-Selective regression testing, which involves only retesting areas that are most likely to be affected by the changes
– regression test automation, where tests are run automatically using tools such as Selenium or QuickTest Professional
The benefits of regression testing include:
-Ensuring that new changes haven’t caused any unexpected problems
-Finding bugs that may have been introduced by new changes
-Confirming that fixed bugs haven’t reappeared
-Reducing risks before releasing software to users
The drawbacks of regression testing include:
-It can be time-consuming, especially if extensive test suites need to be run
-It can be difficult to determine which tests need to be run, particularly in selective regression testing
Tools for regression testing
There are a number of tools available to assist with regression testing, both commercial and open source. Several of the more well-liked ones include:
– IBM Rational Functional Tester
– Microsoft Visual Studio Team System (VSTS)
– Telerik Test Studio
– Selenium
Each of these tools has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your needs. For example, Selenium is a great tool for web-based applications but may not be as well suited for desktop applications.
Conclusion
Regression testing is a process that can be used to ensure the quality of software updates. Although there are some disadvantages to regression testing, such as the time and resources it can consume, the advantages often outweigh the disadvantages.
In particular, regression testing can help identify bugs early on in the development process, before they have a chance to cause major problems. Additionally, regression tests can provide confidence that an existing feature has not been broken by a new code change.
For these reasons, regression testing should be considered an essential part of any software development or QA process.
Author BIO
Martina Anjan is an Associate Test Lead in Devstringx Technologies, offer top regression testing services in India. She holds 5+ years of experience, specializing in automation, manual, performance, Accessibility, and other software testing domains. She expert with success reviewing features and assessing functionality to identify common and complex software problems.
