A Comprehensive Guide to Automated Regression Testing
Tags: automated, regression, testing
Published: 2023-08-22 10:05:13

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We are living in a world of digitalization. Almost every business uses technology and software-driven solutions. Due to technological advancement and cut-throat competition in the market, several updates have been pushed within the software. For instance, Oracle is a tech giant in the software marketplace and releases quarterly updates for modification and addition of new features. However, direct installation of these updates may lead to changes in existing functionality or may alter the code. This is the reason regression testing becomes the essential facet to ensure the updates are delivered without any error or risk in the existing functionality of the software.

There are two ways to carry out regression testing: automated and manual. Automated regression testing is one of the significant ways not only to deliver the required updates seamlessly and accurately but also in scenarios, such as changes in code, fixing defect issues, and permanence evaluation.

**Understanding Automated Regression Testing**!

It is software testing used to verify whether the recent code or program updates have not adversely impacted the existing code or associated functions. In this, full or partial test cases that have already been running are re-executed to ensure that the current functionality is working as intended.

This testing ensures that new code changes do not impact how things work. It also verifies that the older code still works even after new updates delivery or code revision.

**Types of Automated Regression Testing**

As there can be different technical glitches and unexpected turbulent circumstances may happen, it is imperative to get a brief understanding of regression testing types.

**Unit Regression Testing**

It is one of the types of regression testing. It helps deliver a useful coding unit and enhance the value of overall software. This test works on many factors, comprising recurring errors as well. While evaluating the software, unit regression testing helps the testing team minimize the resulting dependencies.

**Corrective Regression Testing**

It is carried out when specifications are not changed, and test cases are used repetitively. The testers get enough room to reuse the previous build test cases. This testing requires less time to find the bugs or errors.

**Progressive Regression Testing**

When a product's or software's vision is somewhat compromised, progressive testing is performed so that new test cases can be built to address the changing requirements. This testing is primarily preferred when building new test cases is needed. Moreover, this testing allows the testers to perform important steps within the updated or modified version of the program.

**Partial Regression Testing**

When new code is introduced into the existing code, partial regression testing is used. Keeping the application up to date is the main motto of this testing; it also helps ensure that potential regressions are removed.

**Complete Regression Testing**

Complete automated regression testing is the go-to option to handle major coding issues. This testing is specifically used to deal with the heavy modifications in the root code of the software application. It helps the tester find and remove unexpected issues, thereby releasing error-free digital products and services.

**When to Perform Automated Regression Testing**

Below given are the key areas where automated regression testing needs to be performed:-

- When new features are added to the software, suppose a login feature on a website allows only users to log in through email id. Now, it is offering to log in with a Facebook id. Then, in this case, regression testing helps to know whether the changes made are working properly.

- When the flaw is detected or corrected in software, consider a case where a tester found the broken login page button and files a bug report. When the developer fixes the bug issue, the tester scans to see if the login button functions as intended. 
Concurrently, the tester also examines the associated features of the login button.

- When any modification or alteration occurs, for example, when the business shifts from My SQL to Oracle database, automated regression testing helps find whether the functionality is working properly.

**Opkey For Regression Testing**

- It is an AI-powered test automation platform that helps customers optimize efforts, costs, and timelines for automated regression testing. Its codeless test creation capability converts manual test cases into automated ones within just a click.

- Non-technical users can also create automated regression tests with the help of drag and drop interface. Even non-technical employees can quickly build automated test cases.

- It encompasses a pre-built test accelerator repository that contains 30,000+ automated test cases for more than 14ERPs. Due to this, the coverage of the regression test gets increased from day zero.

- The self-healing script technology predicts the cause of test failure and empowers the user to fix the broken tests with one click. Due to this, test maintenance efforts get reduced by over 80% and boost the overall testing and development process.