What is Regression Testing and Its Types in Software Testing

Software engineering has reached a certain point in terms of cost and complexity.  Libraries, open-source frameworks, and cloud-based services were introduced to reduce development time and costs. Ironically, that occasionally has the opposite effect: as more elements are added to the equation, the likelihood that something will go wrong grows.

When a program is running, a flaw or malfunction commonly sets off a chain reaction that could negatively affect the software overall, lowering the quality of the user experience. The product frequently undergoes a variety of tests prior to teams making modifications to the core code. Regression testing, the final step in this process, gives assurance that a fully functional application or piece of software has been created.

Regression testing also enables engineers to ensure that none of those components are damaged after even a minor software upgrade to a system. In this article, we’ll discuss what is regression testing and its types in software testing. So read on.

What is Regression Testing?

Regression testing: what is it? The word “regress” has the origin of “going back to the previous state of something”. Regression testing is, in a sense, “perspective testing” since it’s done to see if any system component has been impacted by the most recent upgrade.

Regression testing is a form of “black box” testing. It is used to verify that a software code modification has no effect on the product’s current functionality. Regression testing ensures that the product still works as intended after adding new features, fixing bugs, or changing already-existing features.

Regression testing is a part of software testing. Re-running test cases ensure that the application’s previous functionality continues to perform as intended and that the recent changes did not introduce any defects.

Regression testing can be done on a new build when the original functionality has undergone considerable alteration. It makes sure that the code continues to function while the changes are being made. Regression simply means retesting the application’s unaltered components.

7 Different Types of Regression Testing

Continuous software maintenance involves a wide range of tasks, including improvements, error fixes, and optimization. These additional adjustments could cause the system to start functioning improperly. Regression testing is needed in this situation to address recently developed problems. This testing can be carried out with the following techniques:

• Corrective Regression Testing

This kind of regression testing is employed when the product’s specifications remain unchanged. Additionally, the current test cases can easily be used again to run the anticipated test.

• Retest-all Regression Testing

It is difficult to perform regression testing that includes all tests. It necessitates that all system specs be validated at the source. It examines each very tiny modification made to the software since it was developed first. The most common case for retesting occurs when earlier regression tests have been unsuccessful in identifying the fundamental cause of the issue because development teams believe the issue predated the most recent code modifications.

• Selective Regression Testing

This testing is done to test how the code behaves when new code is added to existing code. This kind of regression testing leverages a portion of the current test cases to cut down on the time and cost needed for retesting.

• Progressive Regression Testing

This kind of regression testing yields more insightful results when specific program modifications are performed and new test cases are developed. By conducting this testing, you can make sure that the most recent and revised version doesn’t contain any elements from the older version that could be vulnerable.

• Complete Regression Testing

This regression testing is best applied when the existing code has undergone a number of revisions. Complete regression testing is also done when recent source code updates have a noticeable effect on the software as a whole. This kind of testing is helpful in finding bugs that frequently go undetected. Regression testing can be finished, and then the user-facing version of the product can be released.

• Partial Regression Testing

This type of software regression testing is carried out to confirm the problems that arise when new code is deployed to existing code. Partial regression testing ensures that a system operates as expected when new code has been added.

• Unit Regression Testing

This type of regression testing focuses primarily on code units and is typically completed in isolation, which is very important. Unit regression testing forbids all dependencies and interactions.

A variety of testing techniques are used by software engineers and testers. Therefore, in order to save money and operate effectively, every tester needs to identify the best testing methodology and set of procedures.

Benefits of Regression Testing

The main goal of this testing is to identify any issues that may have developed as a result of the changes that were made. Regression testing is advantageous in this situation in a number of ways, including:

• Increased likelihood of tracking issues brought on by new modifications
• Helps with the analysis of potential negative effects brought on by a new operating environment
• Early detection of defects and errors
• Incredibly helpful when the product needs to be changed frequently

In Conclusion

Regression testing is essential to improving the overall quality of your application and ensuring a satisfying user experience. Regression testing also provides assurance that the program’s additions or adjustments won’t negatively impact the apps. With the right tools and methodologies, regression testing can also help in identifying potential problems early on, resulting in more effective pipeline steps in preventative or repair procedures, which reduces the amount of effort needed to fix errors later.