Regression testing is a type of software testing services that is aimed at inspecting the changes that were made to the application or its environment (software improvements, configuration modifications, patches; defect repair; merging the code; migrating to another operating system, database, web server or application server) to ensure that the old functions are still working. Regression methods are based on rerunning the tests that were previously completed and checking if the behavior of the program has changed and if the previously fixed bugs have re-occurred.
Both functional and non-functional areas of the system can be subjected to regression testing. (See also sanitary testing or compatibility/serviceability testing).
Regression testing services are designed to uncover software defects that cause the old functions work incorrectly after the application was upgraded. Also, they help to find out if the new flaws have been introduced by these modifications.
In his book “Mythical Man-Month” dedicated to software development process, Frederic Brooks wrote the following: “Fundamental problem occurring during management of a complex project is that correcting a single error may introduce new errors in the project”. For this reason, regression testing is essential for quality assurance and is used almost in any project.
As a rule, testing service providers use test cases for regression testing purposes. These are written in the early stages of project development process. Regression tests need to be automated so as to accelerate the further testing and uncover defects early in the development process.
Regression testing is also intended to verify whether a modification in one part of the software has the impact of its other parts.
Depending on the context, the definition “Regression testing” may be interpreted in different ways. For example, Sam Kaner emphasized three major types of regression testing:
- Bug regression testing is done to prove that the bug that has been reported as fixed still exists in the program.
- Old bugs regression testing is run to confirm that recent changes made to the code and the data have introduced old bugs that were already fixed.
- Side effect regression testing is conducted to prove that the software changes have produced unexpected side effects.
You are recommended to outsource software testing, for example, to Ukraine. By doing so, you will “kill two birds with one stone” – enhance the quality of your project and save on testing expenses.
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