Regression Testing: Significance, Challenges, Best Practices and Tools

Minor changes can have huge consequences. As the wants and choices of customers and markets are dynamic, so is expected the software to progress in parallel with the varying trends. In a few cases, the changes or even slight modifications in the back-end can often cause a diversion from intended use and functionality. To evade such anomalies in software, the QA specialist team performs regression tests (with the assistance of regression test tools). 

Tester teams should make certain that fresh code doesn’t conflict with older code and that unchanged code continues to function as expected. Software products, once designed, are frequently changed to ensure the right incorporation of sophisticated and unique features. This form of testing makes certain that the app’s earlier functionality is still functional and that the latest alterations haven’t introduced new bugs. 

What Is Regression Testing All About?

A regression test is a kind of app test to detect if the software still functions after the current code has been modified or changed. It is a crucial part of the software development and testing lifecycle, allowing developers that constantly enhance the software without unfavorably affecting its functionality. This form of testing is performed to ensure that the newest problems are not introduced through bug fixes. 

For instance, imagine you have modified a few codes somewhere, and now an earlier working trait no longer functions. Reasons behind that:

1.  Your code comprised flaws that caused the behavior to vary,

2. You have unintentionally made two distinct areas in code rely on each other in a way they formerly did not, or

3.  The code you modified was relying on a section of another "trait" that was also broken (which is why it is significant to check your work)

The ultimate objective of regression testing is to expose issues resulting from any alterations that may affect the software function.

Why Is It Required?

Regression test guarantees that the alterations haven’t introduced fresh bugs in the current features, which were functioning perfectly before. Very often, there is a modification in the necessity of the current trait itself, which might impact other app’s features. In such a case, this type of testing is performed for other features. Regression testing is also needed in cases where the underlying technology is upgraded or changed because old libraries are deprecated. To make certain that this doesn’t have any influence on functionality, software testers perform end-to-end regression testing.

In simple words, the Regression test is performed in several cases:

1.    Addition of the newest feature

2.    Modifications in the necessity of a current feature

3.    Performance Fixes

4.    Code optimization

5.    Bug fixes

6.    Technology upgrade/ change

For instance, if I fix or mend some code that was causing issues with user profiles, it could be that another part of the site which used to function fine before now doesn’t function as the fix has broken it. Regression tests aid you to avoid this. 

Significance of Regression Testing

Regression tests are significant to check the entire software functionality after freshly added traits, alterations, changes, or integration with fresh software. This kind of software test verifies if the software is executed as it is supposed to be before handing it to the end-user. It helps to enhance the user experience and gain user faith.

It can be performed both automatically as well as manually. Automated test cases assist in minimizing time, money, as well as resources for the entire project. Regression test also helps to reduce the test cases for the upcoming project. With an automated regression test, the team can focus on other sections of software development, therefore launching the product on time. In short, this form of testing gives stability as well as the flawless continuance of the workflow in the agile method by software test within the spirit cycle. It assists in detecting errors or bugs early in each phase, therefore managing time & money. 

Regression Testing - What Are the Challenges?

Despite all the immense benefits this type of testing brings, there are a few challenges as well: 

•  Complexity – Because of its extreme repetitive behavior, the test cases turn out to be highly complicated as the product goes from the primary stage build to the next. It will need testing the older test cases along with fresh ones all the time.

•    Time – Regression test is repetitive and thus lengthy and time-consuming. That is why it becomes a massive challenge to perform and deliver the product before the time limit. 

•   Selecting the appropriate tool – For the success of this form of testing, it is crucial to select the most suitable tool. If not, it will result in spending money, time, as well as resources.

Why Automated Regression Testing Is Vital in Agile Software Development Methodology?

Agile methodology concentrates on building a superior-quality product, thus minimizing the threat connected with development. As agile methodology includes recurrent changes, it is crucial to have a regression automated test procedure for the same.  

What Traits Should You Look For in A Regression Testing Tool?

Here is a list of a few key features that a good testing tool must-have. 

•    TROUBLE-FREE SCRIPT FORMATION & MAINTENANCE

It has to be comparatively easy to form test automation scripts without extra effort, particularly while practicing agile delivery practices that claim high velocity. With every sprint, you will need new regression tests; however, if you do not have the perfect regression testing tool to back up you, you'll waste a ton of time upgrading your tests as the app under testing is updated. You will have to perform automated tests rapidly, and your tests require adapting to minor modifications so that you don't have to expend extra time reworking your automated regression testing.

•    SCALABILITY AND REUSABILITY 

If the code modification affects your application under testing, you must handle each affected test effortlessly without rewriting each test script. Your preferred functional test tool should allow you to modularize your testing. Besides, you ought to build reusable test snippets or a library of scripts so that you can rapidly generate new tests. Moreover, you must use data-driven test strategies that allow you to use a single test across a boundless number of scenarios.

•    RUN REGRESSION TESTING AFTER EVERY BUILD

The testing software must be integrated with Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery pipelines to make the functional regression test part of your build procedure. The regression test tool of choice must be effortlessly plugged into your CI/CD of preference and be active enough to power intelligent pipelines, triggering activities based on test outcomes. 

•    DESCRIPTIVE AND RAPID REPORTING

Rich error messaging (ahead of “pass/fail”) is critical enough for helping to recognize causes of bugs, and ideally, this must include diagnostic information and screenshots so that there is no requirement for the "works on my machine" volley. Reports must have crucial information concerning previously conducted tests so that it is feasible to spot vital regressions in areas near the user story under testing, such as network and performance problems, as well as visual regressions. Your preferred functional regression test tool must help you recognize where you necessitate extra test coverage so you can be more proactive.

•    LIMITLESS PARALLEL EXECUTION

With the agility of current delivery practices, your testing has to execute fast and give outcomes fast. When you have so many test cases running against different browser versions, scenarios, and screen sizes, the quantity of resources you require adds up exponentially. The perfect regression test tool will provide you with those resources on-demand, with no limit, so you can execute your complete testing suite in the time it consumes for 1 test to finish.

•    PARALLEL EXECUTION

Regression Automated test tools must be able to plan and schedule your automation tests to perform in various environments in parallel as several times as you want, saving your time during implementation. It is crucial to recognize variables sensitive to distinct execution environments using other datasets apt to change in distinct execution environments at every phase, such as development, staging, testing, and production.

•    SCALABILITY AND REUSABILITY 

If a code modification affects your application under testing, you must be able to handle all affected tests effortlessly without having to rewrite each test script. Your preferred regression testing tool should give you the capacity to modularize your tests. You must be active enough to generate a script library or reusable testing snippets so you can build the newest tests quickly. You should be clever to employ data-driven test strategies so you can employ a single test across unlimited scenarios.

•    COLLABORATION

It must be unproblematic for various team members, from developers to QA, to access the tests as well as test outcomes so that any recognized regressions can be troubleshot and mitigated ASAP. Reported complications with accompanying logs must be accessible wherever you team up, whether that is in Jira, Slack, or dashboards - where your team comes together. 

Intelligent Regression Testing Tools for 2022

Regression test—when performed adequately—gives software teams the confidence that their complete app functions effectively and intelligently after a code modifies. However, performing regression tests manually is expensive, time-consuming, and complex to scale. As some apps grow in complexity, various teams end up having to include extra resources into regression testing—hiring more QA specialists and selecting effective tools that can complete testing with each release cycle.

However, choosing the appropriate regression testing tool is tricky. In this blog, we will share the smart regression tests tool to address these factors:

•   Rainforest QA- This type of tool is a no-code automated UI test tool for generating regression tests that mimic the way users interact with the final visual layer of your application or site.

• Selenium-Selenium is the smartest and oldest platform to automate browsers. Integrated Development Environment is the record & playback feature. Selenium HQ allows you to create your custom-made functions with whatever language you wish to use, such as .NET, Java, Python, Java, etc. You can incorporate it with Selenium & write. 

•  Appium- As Selenium only automates desktop browsers, on the flip side, Appium alters Selenium for testing browsers on mobile gadgets. Generally, Appium has similar restrictions as Selenium.

•   Watir- Web Application Testing In Ruby (Watir) is a free platform built on Ruby (the library linked to the Selenium WebDriver) yet with a more user-friendly UI than Selenium. Just like a few tools like Appium, Watir runs into several similar shortcomings as Selenium. 

•  Micro Focus UFT One- The UFT stop automation is an enormous feature. It is simple to use for novice and non-technical people.

•   IBM Rational Functional Tester- It is a record-and-playback tool that runs on both Linux as well as Windows OSs (operating systems). If you are previously using one of IBM’s several other business solutions, it might be beneficial to keep your services in one place.

• TestComplete- This incredible tool by SmartBear provides record-&-playback and object recognition traits for writing test scripts in Python, JavaScript, and VBScript. They support tests on several web, desktop, as well as mobile platforms (counting both Android and iOS OS).

•   Ranorex Studio- It uses a blend of recorded activities plus drag-and-drop actions from a preset list or repository for test formation.

•   Subject7- Subject7 is a cloud-based, “true codeless” automated testing solution that unifies all sorts of tests in a sole platform and empowers anybody to become an automated expert. Our simple-to-use software allows simple, fast, plus, and sophisticated authoring of regression testing without writing a single code and high-scale execution that executes thousands of nightly tests.

•   SoapUI Pro- This type of tool is user-friendly and uncomplicated. SoapUI Pro is a great tool when it comes to Application Programming Interface design & orchestration. Besides, it is crucial for performance and functional tests.

•  Sahi Pro- It is another code-based tool perfectly designed for making coding more reachable to Quality Assurance beginners with less or no coding experience. 

• Eggplant’s - It is an Artificial Intelligence-driven automated test the streamlines regression testing through minimization of test maintenance and prioritization of test cases.

•  QA Madness- It is one of the test automation tools and manual testing services, meaning they take over all or a few of the testing for you. 

• Silk Test- Silk Test is a good automated test tool that supports SAP functional tests. Scripting is highly valuable. You can easily record and then go in and change the script that it generates. It has several generative scripts.

• Qualibrate- We utilizes the solution’s Test plan & test Execution Scheduling traits, and they are very crucial. They are simple to work with. We make use of SAP Solution Manager, as well as Qualibrate function with it, allowing us to handle each test, taking them into Qualibrate straight from Solution Manager.

•  PerformanceLab- This form of tool specializes in performance tests, though they also take famous tools and programming languages—i.e., Selenium, TestComplete, Soap UI, Appium, RFT, SAP TAO, UIAutomator, and QTP/UFT—and develop tools to make them trouble-free to use. 

• Telerik Test Studio- Telerik Test Studio is a test automation platform for desktop, web, and responsive apps, supporting functional User Interface, load, and RESTful API tests. It helps teams remove regressions and ensure their apps still function the way they did before any modifications were introduced. It comes with a standalone Integrated Development Environment and Visual Studio integration

• Katalon Studio- It employs the Selenium WebDriver for writing tests yet was designed to support collaboration between non-developers & developers. 

• Avo Assure- Avo Assure is a technology agnostic, no-code automation test solution that aids you test comprehensive business procedures with some clicks of the buttons. This makes regression tests faster and highly straightforward.

That wraps up the list of the best automated and manual regression test tools. Choosing a reliable and efficient regression test tool can be daunting. With wide choices existing in the market, one can easily get puzzled and overwhelmed with the services, features, and amenities of the tools. Always select the right regression testing tools based on your team’s comfort, the software product you intend for testing, frameworks, and programming languages you are working around, its budget, etc.

Best Practices for Regression Tests in Agile Environ

•    Do Not Aspire for 100% automation

Regardless of how advanced the test infrastructure is, 100% automation is not possible. At the very least, test scripts must be written, and human testers must validate the results. In the best-case scenario, 70-90 % automation is attainable because a definite number of test cases will result in false negatives/ positives and are therefore inappropriate for regression tests.

•    Focus on the Most Vulnerable Areas of Software

Most QA testers and developers are familiar enough with their software to discover the functions/areas/features that are most liable to be impacted by modifications in every sprint. Besides, user-facing functions and vital backend problems must be tested frequently. As earlier stated, the collaborative approach to regression tests in agile development assists in this as it includes developers.

•    Select Automation

Automation is a must to accelerate regression testing for agile sprints. Start with a regression automation regression test script, and then change it with every new feature. Accordingly, QAs should focus on making incremental modifications with every sprint rather than running the tests. 

•    Know About The Testers Requirements

Bear in mind that QA specialists will have to invest some manual test effort in the early phases – studying UI changes, software logic, product flow, and so on. Automated regression testing is best introduced once the software has been designed and some vital changes have already been executed. Regression testing must be interspersed with manual verifications to scrutinize for false negatives or positives. 

NOTE: As per one case study in the banking sector, regression controls up to 60 percent time in bug fixes (which would have been caught by regression tests) and 40 percent in money. 

Advantages of Regression Testing

Regression testing not merely enhances software quality yet reduces the cost and time of mitigating flaws as well. Other advantages comprise:

•    Enhanced user experiences without introducing unintended adverse effects

•    Earlier exposure and finding of defects/ flaws during a major update assists to reduce the impact on users and customers 

•    Allowing software developers to focus on the newest functionality rather than re-functioning old bugs

•    Fewer unpredicted threats. Regression testing can be an effective component of risk mitigation strategy that aids companies and developers stay on top of problems and changes before they become major issues

•    Better overall system performance

Overall, regression testing is a crucial step in any SDLC (software development life cycle). Regression testing is unquestionably significant, chiefly after introducing the newest traits or modifications to software code. It guarantees the least amount of downtime whilst keeping costs low. The Regression Testing suite provides that new enhancements or features to the app have no unintended penalties for the app’s existing quality. It can be done manually by running through code alterations and attempting to break something, which can be prolonged action if you have a lot of code modifications to go through. However, it can also be effective in discovering issues that might not be caught by test automation.

Even regression automated testing also has a set of benefits as it allows for painless and rapid testing with all sorts of benefits - counting being able to find bugs/ flaws rapidly without having to do a lot of work manually. Yet, there is some sort of downsides, such as having complex test code or finding false negatives because of making use of distinct browsers on virtual machines in place of your local machine or another developer's machine. In short, the primary objective of functional regression testing is to recognize discrepancies between new and old code and ensure that the modifications executed are working as expected.