We've all experienced it. You make a minor modification and then a part of your code ceases to function. It's only hours away from the release date and anxiety sets in. What if changing one-factor results in everything falling over? Then a coworker recalls an obscure bug that was discovered several months ago. Could this be the same issue? You just have to recall how to test this. Regression testing is the place where it will be considered.
Regression testing, in essence, is about ensuring that the older bugs do not come back to re-infest you. Wikipedia says that it's done to ensure that previously-tested and developed software continues to function in the same way even after it's modified or interfaced with other programs. Regression testing, more specifically, is the process of ensuring that the software will continue to function in a predictable manner following any modifications. It's about making sure there isn't any regression in the functionality of the software, and also ensuring whether the latest code isn't creating an issue that might not have been addressed properly.
If you're struggling to meet a deadline, it can be tempting to think that since your unit tests have been passed and the basic smoke test passes, then your code is now ready to go live. In reality, due to their nature smoke tests only cover just a fraction of the codebase. They're intended to test basic functionality rather than testing every aspect. In contrast, regression testing is designed to run all relevant tests to ensure there aren't any regressions. Thus automated regression testing is as crucial as unit testing and the testing of new features. It is not a distinct thing from any of them.
How can I create a Regression testing suite?
There are many ways to design an effective Regression test set. To increase efficiency and effectiveness within a limited timeframe you can consider several options. It is possible to create a regression testing system through groups, which will test the full capabilities of the application. It is possible to group regression tests by functions, features integrations, functions, or some other related area of logic. With this strategy for regression testing, it is necessary to execute groups for each release within an orderly rotation.
For instance, if you break down the cycles of regression testing into four separate sets you test one set for each release. This will require four releases to run the entire test suite for regression. You can also perform the groups of regression tests that are relevant to the most recent version for payment functions, like when the cart checkout function has been changed.
You could also look into continuous testing, which means that testing goes on regardless of the release date. In this case, the QA testing team does the testing of any new bugs and features and then conducts manual regression tests when it is possible. Automated regression tests can be executed at any time that is convenient, for instance at night or on weekends this instance there is no separate regression testing schedule and the regression test suite is still carried out.
No matter which method you select Take these steps when you are creating your regression test suite:
Classify high-priority tests
Make smoke tests
Incorporate some tests that are manual
Validate integrations
evaluate the performance
1. You should prioritize the regression test you are taking.
In the process of developing a regression test suite, the primary factor includes tests considered crucial or of high importance. The tests that are high-priority test the principal features or basic processes of the application. Tests that test for essential functions could examine back-end engines, APIs, and database connections as well as the performance of these components. Important workflows could also comprise the use of UI-based functions.
The first step is to define your priorities and then define what they refer to. Review all the functional tests you have and give them a priority.
If you don't have any existing tests, you can prioritize them as you design them. Make the tests that are critical first, later, you can move on to the next step. High-priority and critical tests look for any defects that require swift corrections. The defect in the critical or high-priority function or applications can stop the software from working properly or leads to significant problems in the workflow, causing clients money and time because of the loss of work or rework. When these functions are not functioning they have an immediate financial loss for the business and need additional resources to fix.
Take into consideration codeless automation, or automated tests based on code for crucial functions. Applause Codeless Automation (ACA) will help you automate a portion of your test set in order to test essential functions without writing any code. If you run important regression tests each when a build is made and you'll be able to spot these kinds of problems quickly before they affect the customer's QA testers or the developers trying to get a new release to market.
2. Make smoke tests
When you're putting your crucial and important test results into a regression setup, identify it as"smoke" or "smoke testing suite" and run it every day weekly, bi-weekly, or on every update. Make sure to run the smoke tests before any other testing is scheduled to prevent unnecessary shutdowns and interruptions to work.
Make your tests automated by using ACA and scripted tests to cut down on a lot of time. If you keep your tests simple, for instance using one or two confirmation points, this makes it easier to conduct failure analysis. Do not test every function using smoke tests. Instead, take care to cover the code base as wide as is possible on a non-superficial scale. Why? The purpose of testing automation is to identify flaws in workflows that are frequent and are crucial to the operation of your software. Be sure that your smoke test tool is short and of great value.
Conduct these tests regularly and prior to the release date, and every time the build is modified. It may also be beneficial to conduct some smoke tests in production to test that, for instance, changes to the back-end system that don't directly impact users. If you are adding final-minute bug fixes or enhancement features to a release during the final stages of development, you'll require an e-smoke regression test suite.
3. Perform some manual effort
Then, you can create a set of tests that test the core functions of the application. These are typically workflows that automated tools are unable to handle because of the integrated and intricate interactions. While this fundamental functional regression testing suite has processes that aren't essential to the function of the application, however, they are often used to create workflows for users.
Manual regression tests may contain exploratory tests based on the case of the test that automatization wouldn't take care of. Manual regression tests may also cover all-to-all or system workflows which are lengthy and complicated and are not a good match for automation.
Functional regression test suites of the simplest type will help you keep your code tidy and provide positive customer feedback to your application
4. Test the integrations
Create a regression test suite that examines your API connections along with back-end messaging engines as well as feeds. Verify any integration process that your application requires, however, the user isn't aware of. It's true that creating a regression test suite to test these kinds of tasks is a lot of work and usually requires IT or developer assistance, but it's definitely worth the effort.
It isn't necessary to be able to cover every aspect. Make tests that test the quality of, or at a minimum, be able to touch every process in a reliable manner, similar to the previous groups. In general, QA testers don't have direct access to the processes running behind the scenes. However, tests have to evaluate these functions even if they appear superficial. If back-end processes or APIs failures or connections to data fail, this is apparent that the person using it.
Give QA test participants access to such functions or tools that allow them to see and write functional tests in the back end. Spend some time with developers if needed, but it'll be well worth it to prevent any failures from happening within these critical processing engines for business.
5. Don't forget about the performance
The term "performance testing" is a four-letter word for most development companies. Why? If the app is working, many will consider it as good enough. But what is the truth?
When the experience for users is altered in performance each time a new version is released it can be a bit confusing for a user. If the application slows down with every release for important workflow processes, your customers lose trust in your app. In this situation, there is a build-up of frustration as the user can't discern if the system is running or not. Long wait times waste your users' time and impact their productivity.
No matter how simple or complex the regression test suite needs to be able to account for testing performance. Performance issues won't fix themselves, and it could eventually bring down your application in the event that you don't fix the issue. A lot of people don't view the speed of your application to be an important aspect, but it can greatly impact the perception of customers about your application. Create a performance regression tool or an instrument for performance testing, and/or a simple, manual test that looks for troublesome areas. Read more blogs like test automation best practices then visit bqurious.