Regression testing can be defined as ‘perspective testing,’ the tests conducted to ensure whether the new additions to the software hampers the product’s functioning. It is conducted using a set of testing conditions that define the testing scope and approach. Regression testing has to be done in a suitable climate, using a suitable regression testing tool to maintain the authenticity of the tests conducted.
Follow the post to learn the importance of regression testing, its advantages, disadvantages, and types.
Importance of regression testing
Regression testing has vast importance and mentioned below are the most crucial.
- It tests the complete functionality of the product after a new feature is added and verified to be stable.
- It determines that the product’s functionality is the same as before the new features were added.
- Due to an agile methodology, there are high visibility risks during the early stage of product development’s life-cycle; this testing type helps in testing the product’s stability after new additions.
- It aims for continuous repeated testing, which is helpful in the overall quality and stability of the product.
- Due to early regression testing, the chances of hidden requirements are decreased.
- It helps find bugs and errors in the product early, which saves the developing team from hefty re-working tasks.
Advantages
- Regression testing ensures continuity of business operations
- It helps detect errors, bugs, and malfunctions early by identifying undefined integrated modules hidden in the product application
- It ensures that the product runs smoothly even after multiple additions of new features
- The product is made free of discrepancies due to regression testing
- Automated regression testing ensures the bugs are eliminated from the product early and shortens the life cycle of the testing process
- Early detection of bugs and errors helps the development team to deliver the product within the delivery deadline
- Keeps a track of the error and malfunctions in the product
- Saves the developing team from a load of correction and rework by identifying errors early
- This testing method makes sure that no extra expenditure is made on the product which calls for an incident in the production
In order to summarize the advantages of regression testing in short, it can be very well said that it makes the product free of errors and bugs, keeps the functionality of the application smooth and stable, reduces the time of the testing life cycle, saves development team from the reworking task and at last, ensures timely delivery of the product, within a minimum expenditure.
Disadvantages
- Regression testing must be conducted on every feature to ensure a smooth working product.
- With every added feature, the testing team will have to re-conduct the test, which causes an issue of stringent timeline.
- Test case optimization is sometimes difficult in regression testing, as a large number of test cases is difficult to manage with the scale of regression testing
- It takes a lot of time to finish regression testing as the test cases are needed to be re-checked a number of times
- The testing environment has to be stable for regression testing, or the authenticity of the result might get hampered
- During regression testing, the communication lack between cross-functional teams might get hampered
- Figuring out which test cases are to be executed during regression testing is very time-consuming
In short, the disadvantages of regression testing can be time-consuming due to its repeated test conducting nature.
Types of regression testing
Regression testing has multiple types and forms which are based on the lifecycle of product development and the components needed to be tested. The following are the major types of regression testing, based on the technique:
- Corrective Regression Testing
- Rest-all Regression Testing
- Selective Regression Testing
- Progressive Regression Testing
- Complete Regression Testing
- Partial Regression Testing
- Unit Regression Testing
Conclusion
We covered the basics of regression testing in this post; its importance, pros, cons and types. We hope you liked the information. Use the comment section below to reach out to us in case of any further queries or suggestions.