In every era, we have seen that software is constantly evolving with technology. We see new features being added every now and then, and bugs and glitches are fixed almost every day. However, even a small change in code can unintentionally break something that was previously working correctly. This is why testing plays quite an important role in software development.
There are several types of testing methods used to achieve this. Each of them serves a different purpose in the development process. One of the most important among them is regression testing, which is exactly what we will explore in the blog.
In this blog, we’ll learn about what regression testing is and how it works, along with some of the tools that QA teams use.
What is Regression Testing In Software?
It is a type of software testing that is simply used to make sure that an app or website continues to work correctly even after changes have been made to it.
In even simpler terms, it checks whether:
- Feature upgrades
- Code updates
- Bug fixes
- Performance enhancements
Are perfectly fitting in or if they have accidentally messed up something that was already working before.
When developers modify a codebase in any possible way, there is always a risk that these changes might unintentionally affect the app’s existing functionality.
This kind of issue is often referred to as a regression. It happens when previously stable parts of the software start behaving incorrectly because new code interferes with old code.
Regression testing is designed to catch these problems early. It involves re-running previously executed test cases to make sure the core features of the software still behave as expected after changes. This helps teams quickly identify any unexpected side effects and fix them before they reach end users.
Technically, regression testing is an important part of the ongoing maintenance of software. It sustains software quality over time. By consistently performing regression testing, teams can ensure stability and deliver a smoother experience to users with every update.
What Would Happen If You Skip Regression Testing?
It’s no surprise that software development is one of the most expensive things in the world. You don’t just pay with money. You pay with constant effort and time. Teams pay with overnight deployments, negative feedback, and even constant iterations. Owners pay through surprise budget overruns, failures, and even loans. 50% of software projects already go above their estimated budgets, and 70% of them fail.
Here’s one of the biggest reasons behind this: the lack of testing. In the rush to launch early, many businesses choose to deploy their software earlier and get it to the market. Or sometimes, they have a perfectly running app in the market, but then, a glitch shows up. They give it a small fix, but due to the shortage of time, they skip regression testing. The next thing they’ll probably see is new glitches and bugs showing up.
When a business skips regression testing, they basically miss the opportunity to prevent new issues from arising and potentially invite failure of the entire software. Although it seems like a small step, regression testing ensures that all the parts of your software are happy with one another.
What are the Types of Regression Testing?
There are different types of regression testing that allow teams to test software in various ways. This depends on the nature of the changes made to the software and the goals of the testing cycle.
Since modern apps are constantly updated, teams often use a mix of approaches to ensure that existing features remain stable while new changes are introduced. Here’s a general description of the different types of regression testing and how each one helps maintain software quality in its own way.
Corrective Regression Testing
This type is used when no major changes have been made to the existing functionality of the app. In such cases, existing test cases can be reused without modification to verify that the system is still working as expected.
Progressive Regression Testing
Progressive regression testing is performed when new features or significant enhancements are introduced into the system. In this case, new test cases are created alongside existing ones to ensure that both the old and new features work together smoothly.
Selective Regression Testing
In selective regression testing, only a specific portion of the app is tested. This portion is mainly the areas that are most likely to be affected by recent changes. Instead of testing the entire system, testers choose relevant test cases based on the impacted modules.
Partial Regression Testing
Partial regression testing focuses on validating that new code changes don’t negatively impact the existing features of the system. It is typically used when a small update or bug fix is made, and only related components need to be tested.
Complete Regression Testing
Complete regression testing involves testing the entire app from end to end. It is usually performed after major updates or multiple integrated modifications. It takes a lot of time but provides the highest level of assurance that the software is stable across all features and workflows.
What are Some Reliable Regression Testing Tools for Software?
As we have discussed above, regression testing can become time-consuming and complex as apps grow. This is especially true when frequent updates are involved. To make this process smoother and even more consistent, teams often rely on specialized testing tools. Below are some prominent ones:
Cypress
Cypress is a modern testing framework mainly used for web apps. It is known for its fast execution and developer-friendly setup. Since it runs directly in the browser, it even provides real-time feedback.
Selenium
Selenium is one of the most popular and long-standing automation testing tools. It supports multiple programming languages and also supports browsers. This genuinely makes it highly flexible for regression testing across different environments.
SoapUI
SoapUI is commonly used for testing APIs. In regression testing, it helps ensure that backend services and API responses remain consistent even after changes are made to the system.
Appium
Appium is designed for mobile app testing. It allows teams to perform regression testing on both Android and iOS apps using a single framework.
Testsigma
Testsigma is a cloud automation tool that simplifies regression testing by allowing teams to create and run tests without heavy coding.
What are some Example Use Cases of Regression Testing in Software?
Regression testing is used in almost every stage of software development where changes are introduced. It plays quite a vital role in maintaining stability across different types of systems. Here are some common use cases where regression testing is especially important (other than the ones we have already talked about above in detail):
Software updates and version releases
When a new version of software is released, multiple changes are usually included. Regression testing helps verify that all core features still behave as expected, even after the update.
Performance or security improvements
Sometimes developers optimize a software’s overall performance or strengthen the security features. Regression testing guarantees that these improvements aren’t negatively impacting the existing workflows or the user experience.
Integration with third-party services
Many apps out there rely on external services such as payment gateways or authentication systems. When integrations are added or updated, regression testing checks that both internal features and external connections continue to work properly.
UI/UX changes
Even small design updates, such as changing an app’s layouts or the navigation flow, can unintentionally affect how a user was previously interacting with the software. Regression testing ensures that these visual or structural changes do not damage the usability or existing functions.
Conclusion
Testing may initially feel like a small or easily skippable step to some; however, only those who understand its importance truly succeed. As a business owner, if you’re reading this blog, you’re already one of them. So take the right approach in your software development lifecycle and prioritize professional testing at every stage.
