Regression Testing - Types, purpose, Strategy, Importance

Regression testing helps in verifying whether the existing functionalities of the software application are working as expected, despite making changes in the code.

This testing method tests the application requirements, compliance with current software updates and also the working of the new functionality. The software quality can be enhanced greatly through a well-planned regression testing method.

In many scenarios, the software is regularly updated and hence for the purpose of achieving optimal efficiency, it becomes important to test it repeatedly. In this article, you will get to know about the types of regression testing along with its strategic importance.

What is regression testing?

It is a testing method that verifies whether the changes that have been introduced in the code or modifications that have been made do not alter the existing functionalities of the software application or product.

Types of regression testing:

1. Corrective regression testing: This testing type is used when there have been no changes introduced in the existing product/application/software specification. The usage of existing test cases can be done to conduct the desired test.

2. Progressive regression testing: This testing type is used when the specification is changed or modified and there is a need to create all the new test cases. When new test cases are being developed then this testing type is recommended.

3. Retest-all regression testing: In this testing type, all tests are reused and cost and time are also consumed to a great extent because some of the tests are executed unnecessarily.

4. Selective regression testing: The subset of the existing test cases are used in this testing type so that the cost and time of testing activities are reduced.

The purpose of conducting regression testing in agile:

There is a significant role of regression testing in an agile environment. New features are being implemented by the testing team in certain areas. Hence, all the possible risks are quite hard to predict in the entire application.

For this purpose, regression testing is executed to know whether the application or system's areas have been affected by the changes or not.

Following are a few advantages of conducting regression testing in agile:

• The product's overall stability is increased by conducting regression testing in an agile environment and a flawless user workflow is provided by testing the product within the sprint cycle

• The rework is reduced and thus the developer's task is also significantly reduced. The code need not be rewritten by developers as per the stipulation caused due to insufficient testing.

The strategic importance of regression testing:

Regression testing helps in measuring how certain changes affect reliability, usability or performance functions. How the user's behavior is affected is known by testing one change at a time.

The total quality of the application will improve when impactful changes have been updated. Modification requirements can be effectively taken care of by the regression testing method.

There is no one specific testing model to which regression testing is restricted to.

Hence, unit and integrated entities can be tested to get optimal results. The associated costs can be reduced through an early bug patch. Working on time-consuming changes that cost quite more can be avoided.

This will in turn help in managing team efforts and resources in both testing and building the program. When regression testing is conducted, major issues that may be difficult to fix can be averted.

This will in turn help in avoiding software development mistakes that would otherwise would have been deemed to be quite problematic.

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing regression testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a primary software testing services company that will provide you pragmatic testing solutions and strategic advice in line with your project specific requirements.

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.