Regression Testing

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Quick Navigation:

• Regression Testing Definition
• Regression Testing Explained Easy
• Regression Testing Origin
• Regression Testing Etymology
• Regression Testing Usage Trends
• Regression Testing Usage
• Regression Testing Examples in Context
• Regression Testing FAQ
• Regression Testing Related Words

Regression Testing Definition

Regression testing is a type of software testing that ensures that previously developed and tested software still performs correctly after changes. These changes can include code modifications, bug fixes, or new feature additions. The main goal of regression testing is to verify that the new code hasn’t adversely affected existing functionality. Automated tools like Selenium, JUnit, and TestNG are often used for regression testing in modern software development workflows.

Regression Testing Explained Easy

Imagine you have a toy car, and you fix its wheels to make it run better. After fixing, you still test if the lights, horn, and music work like before. Regression testing is just like that—it checks that fixing or adding new things hasn’t broken the old parts of a program.

Regression Testing Origin

The concept of regression testing emerged with the advent of iterative software development methodologies in the 1970s and 1980s. As developers began updating and maintaining software more frequently, regression testing became crucial for ensuring stability.

Regression Testing Etymology

The term “regression” comes from the Latin word regressus, meaning “a return.” In this context, it refers to ensuring that changes in the software don’t cause it to revert to a faulty or undesired state.

Regression Testing Usage Trends

With the rise of Agile and DevOps methodologies, regression testing has become an integral part of continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. Automated regression testing is particularly trending due to its efficiency in catching bugs in fast-paced development cycles.

Regression Testing Usage

• Formal/Technical Tagging:
  • Software Testing
  • Quality Assurance
  • CI/CD Pipelines
• Typical Collocations:
  • "Automated regression testing"
  • "Regression testing suite"
  • "Manual regression testing"
  • "Test case for regression testing"

Regression Testing Examples in Context

• After updating the login feature, the QA team performed regression testing to ensure that account creation and password recovery still worked.
• Developers automated a regression testing suite to verify the stability of their mobile app after each new update.
• Regression testing revealed that a recent code change inadvertently broke the search functionality in the e-commerce application.

Regression Testing FAQ

• What is regression testing?
  Regression testing ensures that recent code changes haven’t broken existing functionality.
• Why is regression testing important?
  It maintains the integrity and stability of software during continuous updates.
• When should regression testing be performed?
  It should be done after every code change, bug fix, or feature addition.
• How is regression testing automated?
  Tools like Selenium, JUnit, and TestNG can automate regression test execution.
• What challenges are faced in regression testing?
  Challenges include maintaining test cases and ensuring comprehensive coverage.
• Can regression testing be manual?
  Yes, though it is more time-consuming compared to automation.
• What is a regression testing suite?
  It is a collection of test cases designed to verify the core functionality of an application.
• Is regression testing part of Agile methodologies?
  Yes, it is integral to Agile’s iterative and incremental development approach.
• What types of tools are used in regression testing?
  Popular tools include Selenium, Appium, and Jenkins for CI/CD integration.
• How is regression testing prioritized?
  Test cases are prioritized based on the risk and criticality of the features.

Regression Testing Related Words

• Categories/Topics:
  • Software Engineering
  • Software Quality Assurance

Did you know?
The first recorded use of automated regression testing was in NASA’s software development for space exploration in the 1980s. This practice significantly improved software reliability in mission-critical applications.

Authors | Arjun Vishnu | @ArjunAndVishnu

 

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I am Vishnu. I like AI, Linux, Single Board Computers, and Cloud Computing. I create the web & video content, and I also write for popular websites.

My younger brother, Arjun handles image & video editing. Together, we run a YouTube Channel that's focused on reviewing gadgets and explaining technology.