Debunking The Top 5 Regression Testing Myths!

The constantly evolving landscape of information technology brings forth new advancements daily, including mobile and desktop applications, gaming software, and intricate websites. Subsequently, the quality assurance organization has new responsibilities and work to perform. Here, the question arises of how software testing should be executed for new feature implementation or additional software release versions. The answer to this question is regression testing. 

Regression testing is a crucial part of the software development process that ensures that new application changes don’t break any previously functioning features. The flawless delivery of products necessitates a unified collaboration between development and testing endeavors. It is recommended that testers perform regression testing following debugging to verify that the resolved bug has been fixed and no new ones have arisen. This practice can aid in ensuring the overall quality of the software product.

Despite the importance of regression testing, there continue to be several myths and misunderstandings surrounding it. These myths can lead to misunderstandings about the value and purpose of regression testing, causing teams to skip it or do it poorly, which can ultimately result in decreased software quality and increased costs. 

This blog will be debunking the top 5 regression testing myths that have been circulating in the industry for far too long. But before moving there, let us have a brief understanding of regression testing.

What is Regression Testing?

Regression testing is a vital aspect of software quality assurance that implicates the retesting of previously tested functionality to ensure that no new defects have been introduced after a software update or modification. Typically, professional quality assurance teams maintain a set of regression test cases for critical features that they systematically re-execute every time code changes are made. This approach serves to optimize testing efficiency and save valuable time.

Regression testing is also known as the verification method. It handles common issues that developers encounter, such as the emergence of old bugs while introducing new modifications. To appropriately trace the introduction of bugs in a project, it is imperative to implement rigorous version control systems. Failure to do so can result in difficulties pinpointing the specific change that may have caused the issue. Consequently, it is an adequate practice to integrate robust regression testing.

Benefits of Regression Testing

In general, regression testing entails the creation of a test to identify a known defect, which is subsequently executed following any modifications made to the code base. This is a standard practice in software testing to ensure that previously resolved issues do not reoccur after updates or modifications to the software. The process strives to identify any change immediately that reintroduces a bug.

In the present software development landscape, there is a push for agility by adopting an iterative approach. The approach entails pushing new code frequently and breaking things if required. Regression testing guarantees that after frequent pushes, developers do not need to break cases that are already working. 

Here are a few benefits of regression testing:

• Ensuring any modifications (enhancements or bug fixes) done to a specific module of the application or in the entire application doesn’t affect the tested code.
• Diminishing the testing time because particular areas of the software are tested.
• Enhancing the overall quality of the end product, making it customer-friendly and trendy.
• Assisting in implementing a CI (Continuous Integration) setup. Automated regression testing is a process where a build, initiated by a code trigger, is tested automatically.
• Pinpointing the glitches or bugs causing the problem and rectifying them.

Debunking The Top 5 Regression Testing Myths

Regression testing is a vital process in software development that implicates restoring a software product to its previous functional state and conducting specific test cases to verify that no defects were introduced or altered as a result of a software update, configuration change, or new functionality implementation.

Below are the 5 top myths encircling regression testing and the actualities behind them:

Myth #1: Regression Testing is Unnecessary

Regression testing is an essential aspect of software development that guarantees that a product remains functional even after modifications or updates are made. Unfortunately, there are several myths encircling regression testing that can lead to unnecessary risks and potential defects. It is a widely held misconception that regression testing is dispensable; however, this notion is incorrect.

Skipping regression testing can have fatal consequences, as even small changes can have a significant impact on the overall functionality of an application. Proper regression testing helps detect and fix issues early on, saving both time and money in the long run. Consequently, it is crucial to debunk this myth and emphasize the significance of regression testing throughout the software development lifecycle.

Myth #2: Limited Testing of Functionalities Is Not a Good Idea

A lot of individuals think that regression testing is dispensable and unnecessary. According to their statement, the required tests are determined by the qualities of the feature being integrated. That is a big blunder. Due to the intricacy of software and the reason that it deals with numerous features, it is unattainable to test every single feature when the product is in its initial phase. 

The testers can only test the selected components of the product that are the most critical. Likewise, when a few features are added, testing every single feature is not required. Furthermore, it is deemed unnecessary to conduct testing on the modified components as they might have already undergone testing during the coding of the new features.

Myth #3: Automation Is Obligatory to Plan Any Regression Testing Strategy

A lot of people think that automation testing is compulsory for carrying out regression testing. However, nobody can be distant from actuality. Regression testing is a rigorous technique that entangles a carefully selected set of tests strived at verifying the functionality and performance of various features or components.

The ultimate objective of these tests is to validate the desired functionalities and performance of the system. It is vital to utilize various frameworks, such as automated, manual, or load testing, to attain the desired outcomes. 

You can leverage the true capability of regression automation testing by using a cloud-based platform like LambdaTest. It is an AI-powered test orchestration execution testing platform that allows one to perform both manual and automation testing on large online farms of 3000+ devices, browsers, and OS such as Windows, Android, and Safari browsers online. You can perform regression testing in LambdaTest through its integration with different automation testing tools like Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, etc. It is possible to run parallel test that makes regression testing faster and more efficient. 

Myth #4: Regression Testing Is Not Mandatory

It is of utmost importance to understand that regression testing is an integral part of the testing procedure. The inclusion of this requirement is typically observed in a majority of software development life cycles. Nonetheless, the frequency of regression testing may differ depending on the product methodology, the number of components tested after the update, and the size of the product. 

Myth #5: Regression Testing is Time-Consuming

One common myth enveloping regression testing is that it is a time-consuming process. Nonetheless, this is not necessarily true. While it is true that regression testing can be time-consuming, it is only because it entangles a thorough examination of all aspects of an application or system to guarantee that any changes or updates do not negatively impact existing functionality. In actuality, the time needed for regression testing can be significantly diminished by utilizing automated testing tools and techniques. 

Automated regression testing can save time and improve accuracy, authorizing testing teams to focus on more complex testing scenarios that require human attention. Likewise, implementing an apparent and efficient test plan can help streamline the regression testing process, guaranteeing that it is completed swiftly and effectively. 

Bonus Tip: Regression testing is Expensive

A lot of people have a conception that regression testing is expensive. While it is true that regression testing can be pricey if done manually and without the suited tools and processes, it is also true that not doing it can be even more expensive in the long run. The outlay of not detecting defects or regressions early in the development cycle and having to fix them later in production can be significant, not only in terms of money but also in terms of reputation and customer satisfaction. By automating regression testing and executing a continuous testing strategy, organizations can diminish the cost of testing and boost the speed and quality of software delivery.

Conclusion

Regression testing is a vital component of software testing that guarantees the modifications made to the software do not have any adverse impact on the existing functionalities. Nonetheless, several myths and misconceptions encircle regression testing, which may hinder its effectiveness. 

Notwithstanding the myths and misconceptions, the need for regression testing has become mandatory due to the frequent updates obtained by software applications. It assists quality assurance experts in doing away with any unfavorable modifications to the application and furnishes the best possible user experience. It is vital to remember that regression testing should not be overlooked or undervalued in software development, and following the correct approach can enormously enhance the quality and reliability of the software.