What Are the Reasons for Regression Testing to be Automated?
Tags: regression, testing
Published: 2023-06-08 08:22:24

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Regression testing is a software testing approach used to ensure that modifications or upgrades made to a software program or system have not resulted in any unforeseen consequences or regressions in the existing functionality. 

Its main objective is to confirm that, following changes or updates, the program continues to function as intended. It involves rerunning previously completed test cases to ensure that the program works exactly as it did before the changes.

**What is Software Regression Testing**?

Regression testing is the process of testing software after changes have been made to ensure that existing functionality still works as intended. It is performed to detect any defects or bugs that might have been introduced as a result of changes made to the software or its environment. The goal of regression testing is to verify that the software continues to function correctly and that any new changes do not negatively impact previously tested functionality.

Regression testing can be automated or performed manually, depending on the complexity of the software and the number of tests that need to be run. Automated regression testing can help save time and reduce the risk of human error, while manual regression testing can be more thorough and can provide more detailed feedback.

**The Importance of Regression Testing**

Regression testing is essential for ensuring the quality and reliability of software. It is especially important when making changes to software that has already been released or is in use, as changes can introduce new defects that can impact the user experience or even cause the software to fail. 

Without regression testing, it is impossible to know whether changes made to the software have introduced new defects or impacted existing functionality. This can lead to unexpected bugs, crashes, or other issues that can negatively impact users and damage the reputation of the software or the organization that developed it.

**Manual vs. Automated Regression Testing**

Regression testing can be performed manually or automated, depending on the complexity of the software and the number of tests that need to be run. Manual regression testing can be more thorough and can provide more detailed feedback, but it can also be time-consuming and prone to human error. Automated regression testing, on the other hand, can help save time and reduce the risk of human error, but it may not catch all potential issues.

**Benefits of Automated Regression Testing**

What Are the Reasons for Regression Testing to be Automated?
Automated regression testing has several advantages over manual regression testing, including:

1. **Reducing tedious, repeated work**: Automated regression testing can eliminate tedious repetitive chores, freeing up time and resources for more difficult and crucial testing tasks.

2. **Enhancing the performance & stability of the application**: Automated regression testing helps guarantee that modifications made to the software do not introduce any new flaws or regressions in the existing functionality, which increases application stability and performance.

3. **Scalability is embedded into automated testing**: Automated testing is particularly suited for large-scale applications or systems that need frequent testing because it is developed for scalability.

4. **More coverage**: Automated testing may cover a wider variety of scenarios, lowering the chance of overlooking important flaws.

5. **Earlier feedback and shorter testing cycles**: Automated testing offers earlier feedback on changes made to the program, enabling developers to swiftly find and address any flaws. The testing cycle can be shortened as a result, allowing teams to deliver software more quickly.

6. **Consistency and repeatability**: Automated testing makes sure that the same tests are executed consistently and repeatedly, removing the possibility of human error and producing more accurate results.

7. **Improved use of resources**: Automated testing frees up testers to concentrate on more challenging testing tasks like exploratory testing or user acceptance testing, which call for human discretion and imagination. This may result in better resource management and increased output as a whole.

**Best Practices for Regression Testing**

Here are some best practices to follow when conducting regression testing:

1. **Identify the scope of testing**: Identify the specific areas of the software that need to be tested, and determine the test cases and scenarios that will be used.

2. **Use a variety of test cases**: Use a mix of positive and negative test cases to ensure that the software is functioning as intended and to catch any potential issues.

3. **Automate where possible**: Automate repetitive and time-consuming test cases to save time and reduce the risk of human error.

4. **Ensure test data is current and relevant**: Test data should reflect the real-world scenarios and conditions the software will be used in, and should be updated regularly to reflect changes to the software and its environment.

5. **Conduct both functional and non-functional testing**: Regression testing should cover both functional and non-functional aspects of the software, such as usability, performance, and security.

6. **Use regression testing as part of the SDLC**: Regression testing should be integrated into the software development life cycle (SDLC) to ensure that changes are thoroughly tested before being released.

**Conclusion**:

In sum, to assure the stability, dependability, and performance of software systems, regression testing is an essential step in the software development process. It can be automated using tools like Opkey, which has several advantages. 

An automated testing tool called Opkey offers a full range of functions, such as test creation, execution, and reporting, to assist in automating regression testing. Software development teams can enhance the quality of their product, decrease time-to-market, and cut expenses by automating regression testing with Opkey.

Using regression testing and following best practices can help software development teams enhance the quality of their product, decrease time-to-market, and cut expenses. 

It is essential for preserving the quality and dependability of software applications and assists in locating any flaws or problems introduced throughout the development process and makes sure they are fixed before the application is made available to end customers. 

To make regression testing more efficient and effective, teams can use automated testing tools like Opkey, Selenium, and Katalon Studio, among others, which offer a full range of functions, such as test creation, execution, and reporting, to assist in automating regression testing. 

By following best practices and using appropriate tools, teams can ensure that their software is reliable, high-quality, and performs as expected.