Regression test is a powerful tool designed to test the application after the introduction of changes.  The basic concept behind regression testing involves testing procedures that ensure the software’s ability to perform intended tasks even with improvements or modifications.

Regression testing is also a form verification test because it will help us determine if the software works as expected even after undergoing critical modifications to its architecture.

By using this testing procedure, you can prevent unforeseen errors in the finished software product or application. Whenever you add new features or introduce modifications, you may need to conduct regression test without fail.

Regression testing is also useful procedure that will help you determine whether the software is complying with quality and standard that was set by the developer. Another useful feature of regression testing is to check whether the software is able to produce the desired output without any errors. With regression testing, software testers can find out if the changes introduced are affecting the program in a negative way.

Why Regression Test?

Whenever you introduce a modification or change to the software, you will need to make sure to run regression testing without fail. Any modifications or changes that you introduce could have a negative effect on your system and data. Modifications and changes could also lead to unwanted errors that you must remove if they creep into the system. In addition, the overall functionality may show instability should there be lot of errors that occur due to significant changes to the architecture.

Software testers will also need to conduct regression tests whenever you perform other tests like an integration test. Regression test acts an efficient quality controller to monitor the basic functionalities of the software system. When you add new codes to your application, make sure that you run regression tests.

In nutshell, you must run regression test when the software undergoes a change or modification. Regression testing comes later on in the life of software, as many other tests will help you test the software in the initial stages of the project.

Regression Testing Benefits

The numerous advantages of conducting regression testing are apparent to the open eyes. The foremost benefit of conducting this test to ensure the software is working very well even after introducing many changes and modifications. The regression testing process is powerful enough to detect any errors that might present in the application. This test provides you a precautionary approach to safe guard the software from any unforeseen errors. The main grouse with this testing has been its perceived weakness in testing the software’s functionality alone and not the design structure of the software that lies within the main architecture of the software.

Regression Testing Strategies 

You can use a number or techniques and strategies to conduct this test in a proper and effective manner. The initial task that you should perform is to test the modified software application for any errors and pitfalls. As soon as you run this test, you will come to know immediately about underlying causes of errors that exist in the system.

Another issue that the software tester should take care is to check for possible bugs in the application. Bugs could be extraordinarily notorious! They could even introduce other bugs as soon as someone tries to fix them.  

Presence of bugs mandates a series of regression tests. Repeated regression tests will ensure that the software will be fully functional and fail-proof. Running two different tests at the same time may not be feasible because they may duplicate your efforts to stabilize the software; eventually, it will be a sheer wastage of both money and time.

When you are doing a regression test, there might be some visible improvements in the architecture, as you will be progressing from one test to the other and in a sequence. In the process, you will also succeed in implementing a solid strategy that will eventually help other testers who may show an interest in checking the software. Software testers should focus just on functionality part of the test and not in design structure of the application. You can use other tests to check the design aspects of the software.

You can even introduce some changes or modifications to the system when you are conducting a regression test. With this approach, you can trace the overall impact of these changes or modifications on the functionality of the applications. This will also help you focus on those areas that need strict cross verification.

You may need to keep a record of all the errors and corruption codes that might occur during the modifications. This will help you focus on such aspects when you are on the actual implementation of the software product.

Software memory is another important aspect. You will need to trace and mark different effects to the changes to the software memory.

Effective Regression Testing

In order to create an efficient regression test, you can build a library of test cases to make regression test quicker and accurate. Such a library can contain list of standardized tests that need test runs whenever there is an introduction of changes or modifications. Once you run the test cases for testing, you will be successful in creating a solid model that can undergo another test.

However, things are easy to explain than done because you will face some difficulties in picking up the right type of test cases for the test. You may need to consider the timing of the test and its boundary condition. Do not commit the mistake of including test cases only when you find bugs in the system. The library that you built may become old and outdated; therefore, you will need to update your library from time to time.

Occasionally, there might be some cases where you will need to develop specific test designs to test a new software application. At times, the test cases that you find in your library may not be sufficient to check new functionalities or changes. Constant up-gradation and new additions will keep your library new and fresh. Weed out duplicate test cases so that you can save your time and energy. Think of new test cases that can help you run an effective regression test. 

Conclusion

Regression test-run software is a better product with full functionalities even after changes and modifications. However, the quality and merit of the software is also dependant on the type of test cases you employed for the test. In all, the test should be a well-thought out session of finding and detecting errors as and when they appear or occur.

In nutshell, regression testing is perhaps one of the most formidable testing procedures as it can make the software robust even after you introduce many changes and modifications in the mid stages of the software development. It also ensures that you will have a great piece of software in your hand that can run very well without any issues.