What is Regression Testing?
Regression testing is a process software teams use to ensure that changes in the codebase, such as new features or design changes, do not negatively impact existing functionalities. These changes can include new features, bug fixes, code modifications, or updates to the software’s environment. The main goal of regression testing is to catch any unintended consequences or issues that may have arisen due to these changes.
- Re-test all: In this approach, all existing test cases are executed, providing a comprehensive assessment of the software. This method can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, particularly for large software systems.
- Selective testing: Testers choose a subset of test cases to execute, focusing on those most likely to be affected by the changes. This can save time and resources but may miss some issues if the selected test cases do not cover all possible scenarios.
- Test case prioritization: In this technique, test cases are ranked based on their importance, likelihood of detecting defects, or other criteria. The highest-priority test cases are executed first, with the expectation that this will uncover the most critical issues more quickly.
Automating regression testing using software tools allows teams to scale up the testing process. Therefore, before you choose the right software, a few aspects need to be considered to determine if an automation tool is efficient.
How to Choose a Testing Tool for Regression Testing?
The first aspect to consider is whether a tool necessitates programming knowledge in order to operate it. Historically, tools like Selenium have required programming skills. However, some new test automation tools nowadays do not require coding skills – these are known as no-code or codeless tools. Some of these tools, like testRigor, allow users to generate tests using English-based commands, enabling the creation of functional, UI, and end-to-end tests through the user interface without writing any code.
The second aspect is whether the tool tests the application’s functionality and visual layer. Most automated testing tools interact with the underlying code of the application rather than the visual layer. Testing only the underlying code can cause visual bugs to be missed, making it important that the regression testing tool tests the app’s appearance and functionality.
The third aspect is whether the tool makes it easy to identify test failures. Sometimes, a test failure can be due to the test being out-of-date rather than the software having a bug. Figuring out why a test failed can be time-consuming; the most helpful option is to watch a video replay or have screenshots of the UI during the test.
The fourth aspect is whether the tool can manage both manual and automated tests from the same platform. While automating regression testing is cost-effective, some tests always require human interpretation. Having one platform to manage both types of tests can save a lot of time and money.
The final aspect is whether the tool makes maintaining tests, adding assertions, etc. easy as day-to-day needs change. A tool that provides a way to write and edit test scripts but does not have a way to execute those tests or manage test suites requires additional infrastructure. An all-in-one tool that includes all of these features makes it easier to get started.
Top 5 Regression Testing Tools
testRigor
testRigor is a unique testing tool that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to automate functional, UI, and end-to-end testing. It is an excellent tool for regression testing due to its ability to create a comprehensive set of end-to-end test cases quickly with no coding skills required. Tests look very similar to typical manual test cases since they’re written in regular English commands, and do not include any locators such as XPaths or CSS Selectors. These tests are robust and won’t fail in instances where the dev team accidentally makes locator changes.
One of the features of testRigor is its ability to automatically generate test cases using OpenAI GPT-4 model. This means that testers can significantly speed up test creation. The tool also complies with strict security standards such as SOC2 and HIPAA.
Additionally, testRigor provides detailed reports on the test results, including any identified defects. When tests legitimately fail because of a change, they are much easier to debug and fix due to specific helping features – making testRigor stand out among other automation tools.
The tool can be integrated with a variety of applications, including GitLab, Jenkins, Jira, TestRail, Zephyr, XRay, PagerDuty, and most CI/CD tools. This makes it easy to incorporate automated testing into the software development process.
Another benefit of testRigor is its ability to perform visual testing, 2FA testing, verify email deliverability and content, test audio and SMS. testRigor supports testing for Web, Mobile, and Desktop applications.
Overall, testRigor covers all main platforms and testing types, and is one of the easiest tools on the market to master and build strong end-to-end automated regression tests, making it to the top of this list.
Testsigma
Testsigma is a good test automation tool that offers a number of features that make it an excellent choice for regression testing.
Testsigma is a cloud-based tool that allows teams to collaborate and work together on testing projects. This is particularly useful for regression testing, as it often requires a team effort. Testsigma’s cloud-based platform allows team members to easily share test cases, test data, and other information, which can help to streamline the testing process and reduce the time and effort required.
Additionally, Testsigma offers a test automation engine that can help to speed up the regression testing process. The tool supports both web and mobile applications and offers a range of testing types, including functional testing, performance testing, and compatibility testing. Testsigma’s test automation engine is designed to be easy to use, even for non-technical users, which makes it an ideal choice for regression testing teams who may not have extensive programming skills.
Also, Testsigma offers a range of built-in integrations with other tools and platforms, which can help to streamline the testing process even further. For example, the tool integrates with popular bug-tracking systems like JIRA, allowing teams to track and manage bugs identified during testing easily. Testsigma also integrates with popular CI/CD tools like Jenkins, which can help to automate the testing process and ensure that tests are run automatically after each code change.
Selenium
Selenium is a popular open-source test automation tool used for testing web applications. It is great for regression testing because of its ability to run tests across multiple browsers and platforms, allowing for comprehensive and efficient testing of web applications.
Regression testing involves the re-execution of previously executed tests to ensure that new changes or updates to the application have not introduced any defects or broken existing functionality. Selenium’s ability to automate repetitive test cases and execute them across multiple browsers and platforms makes it an ideal tool for regression testing.
Selenium supports a variety of programming languages, including Java, Python, and C#, allowing developers and testers to write tests in their preferred language. This flexibility helps in the quick and efficient creation of regression test cases.
Selenium’s robust features include simulating user interactions, such as clicking buttons and filling out forms, and capturing screenshots and videos of the test execution. This helps identify and debug any issues that may arise during regression testing. Selenium’s integration with testing frameworks like TestNG and JUnit also enables users to perform complex test automation tasks, such as running tests in parallel, generating test reports, and handling exceptions.
Moreover, Selenium provides a record and playback feature that allows testers to record a test case and then replay it on different browsers and platforms. This saves time and effort, as testers do not have to execute the same test case repeatedly manually.
Finally, Selenium’s active community ensures the tool is regularly updated with new features and fixes, making it reliable and up-to-date for regression testing.
TestComplete
TestComplete is a comprehensive testing tool that offers many features that make it an excellent choice for regression testing. One of the primary benefits of using TestComplete for regression testing is its robust test automation capabilities. TestComplete supports automated testing for desktop, web, and mobile applications, allowing developers to create a suite of tests that can be run quickly and efficiently. Additionally, TestComplete supports keyword-driven testing, which allows developers to write tests in a simple, easy-to-understand language that can be shared among team members.
TestComplete also offers a unique feature called the Test Visualizer. This feature allows developers to see how each test case is executed and identify areas where improvements can be made. In addition, the Test Visualizer makes it easy to see which test cases are failing and provides detailed information about the cause of the failure.
Another key benefit of using TestComplete for regression testing is its ability to integrate with other testing tools and frameworks. For example, TestComplete can integrate with popular testing frameworks like JUnit and NUnit, allowing developers to incorporate TestComplete into their existing testing processes easily. Additionally, TestComplete can integrate with popular development tools like Visual Studio and Eclipse, making it easy to create, manage, and execute tests from within the developer’s preferred IDE.
TestComplete also offers powerful debugging tools that make identifying and fixing issues in test scripts easy. For example, TestComplete includes a script debugger that allows developers to step through test scripts and pinpoint issues causing test failures. The script debugger also allows developers to modify code in real time, making it easy to fix issues quickly.
Finally, TestComplete offers robust reporting capabilities that make it easy to track the progress of regression testing. For example, TestComplete provides detailed reports showing which tests have been run, which have passed, and which have failed. This information can be used to identify trends and patterns in test failures, which can help developers identify underlying issues and make necessary improvements.
Katalon Studio
Katalon Studio is a comprehensive test automation solution that is known for its ease of use and versatility in test automation. It is a good tool for regression testing because it offers several features that enable efficient and effective regression testing.
Firstly, Katalon Studio supports a wide range of platforms, including web, desktop, and mobile applications. This means that regardless of the type of application being tested, Katalon Studio can automate the testing process, making it a great tool for regression testing applications with different platforms.
Secondly, Katalon Studio offers a scriptless automation feature that allows testers to create automated test cases without coding knowledge. The tool provides a range of built-in keywords, making it easy for testers to create automated scripts quickly and efficiently. This feature is particularly useful for regression testing, as it enables testers to create and execute automated tests faster and with fewer errors.
Another reason why Katalon Studio is great for regression testing is its ability to generate comprehensive test reports. The tool provides detailed reports on the test results, including pass/fail rates, test coverage, and defects found. This makes it easy for testers to track the progress of the regression testing process and identify any issues that need to be addressed.
Furthermore, Katalon Studio integrates with several popular tools, including Jenkins, Git, and Jira, making incorporating automated regression testing into the software development cycle easy. This integration also enables the creation of continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, allowing for faster and more frequent regression testing.
Lastly, Katalon Studio offers a range of testing modes, including record and playback, keyword-driven testing, and data-driven testing, making it an extremely versatile tool for regression testing. Testers can choose the testing mode that best suits their requirements and preferences, enabling them to execute regression tests in a manner that is both efficient and effective.
Conclusion
In conclusion, regression testing is essential for ensuring that software changes do not negatively impact existing functionality. While manual regression testing can be time-consuming, automating it using testing software allows teams to scale up the testing process. When choosing testing software for regression testing, several aspects must be considered, such as whether the tool requires programming knowledge, tests the application’s functionality and visual layer, makes it easy to identify test failures, manages both manual and automated tests, and adjusts the amount of testing easily. testRigor, Testsigma, Selenium, TestComplete, and Katalon Studio are among the top regression testing tools. Each of these tools offers features that make them excellent choices for regression testing, such as the ability to create a comprehensive set of test cases quickly with no coding skills required, powerful test automation engines, and support for multiple programming languages. Choosing the right tool for regression testing can help improve the software quality, reduce time-to-market, and save resources.
