Software Testing & QA Archives - Supreme Technologies

Have you ever thought about how your phone’s apps and software stay perfect even after countless updates? Imagine this: developers are coding furiously, testers are putting in their efforts, and new features are added to the apps.

But some new changes come with great responsibility – make sure that everything works smoothly and no sneaky bugs have crept in! This is where regression testing comes in.

Here, we will explain what regression testing is, its types, how to conduct regression testing, and many more.

Keep reading to know!

What is Regression Testing?

It is a type of testing where you can check the changes made in the codebase that do not affect the existing software functionality. For instance, such code changes might involve adding new features, bug fixes, updating current features, etc.

In simple words, regression testing means re-executing previously passed test cases on the updated version of the apps to confirm that all features are still functioning properly. Moreover, regression testing is a series of tests that are conducted each time a new version is added to the codebase.

Is It Possible To Perform Regression Testing Manually?

Yes, such type of testing can be performed manually. Generally, it includes retesting the changed parts of the software application to ensure that the changes haven’t impacted the current functionalities.

Though manual software regression testing is possible, it can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially for big and complex systems. This is why automated regression testing tools are advisable to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Examples of Regression Testing

Let’s take a web-based e-commerce platform as an example. Suppose the development team adds an enhancement to the search functionality, enabling users to filter the product by its color. Here’s how regression testing may be applied in such case:

Product Browsing: Apart from the changes made to the search functionality, users should still be able to browse through product categories, and check our product details and items in their cart without having any issues.
Cart management: After adding a new search filter feature, regression testing ensures that people can still easily add, remove, or update items in the shopping carts.
Checkout process: Confirmed that consumers can proceed via the checkout process smoothly, from entering shipping and billing information to completing the payment is pivotal. Regression testing ensures that this important functionality remains intact.
User accounts: We need to test the user’s account management system to verify that they can still log in, update their profile, and check order history without having any issues with changes made.
Mobile responsiveness: This testing may also involve checking the responsiveness of the platform across several devices and screen sizes to ensure the new search filter has not caused layout or usability problems on mobile devices.

When to Perform Regression Testing?

This testing in software testing is performed when the changes are made or the code is modified including adding new features, fixing bugs, and updating the current software. It is suitable in below cases:

A New Feature Or Functionality Is Introduced To The Application

For example, you have made a website with login functionality enabling users to first login only via email. And now you want to add login via Facebook or Instagram.

There is a Requirement to Change

For instance, you delete the remember password functionality on the login page which was applicable easily. Regression testing is conducted after every such change.

When Defects Or Patches Are Fixed In The Codebase

For example, when the tester finds a broken login button. Once the developers fix the bug, they test the login button for expected results, while simultaneously performing tests for other functionalities related to the login button.

When Performance Issues Are Fixed

For instance, when a page takes 5-7 seconds to load, the loading time is reduced to 2 seconds.

When There Are Environment Or Configuration Changes

For example, update the database from MySQL to Oracle.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Regression Testing

Advantages:

Regression testing makes sure that any change in code does not negatively impact other functionality.
It ensures that already solved issues don’t occur again.
This software regression testing serves as a risk mitigation strategy during testing.
Easy to learn, understand, and determine.

Disadvantages:

Without automation, this type of testing takes more time.
Testing is required for all small changes of code.
A repetitive process of testing can affect agile sprint.
Needs you to create complex test cases.

How to Conduct Regression Testing?

Normally, there are no fixed patterns to perform this testing. But, there are several methods that quality analysts should use while conducting testing:

Step 1: Regression Test Selection

First, you need to choose the test cases requiring re-testing. Keep in mind that you would not be able to test the entire test suite, and the selection of test cases relies on the module where there is a change in the source code.

Then, you divide the test cases into:

(i) Reusable Test Cases

(ii) Obsolete Test Cases.

Reusable test cases will be used for future regression cycles, while you won’t consider Obsolete ones for the upcoming testing cycles.

Step 2: Know the Time for Executing Test Cases

The next thing you need to do is determine the time it will take to execute the chosen test cases.

Several factors that impact the execution time are test data creation, regression test planning by the quality analyst team, and checking of all the test cases.

Step 3: Identify the Test Cases that can be Automated

Here, as per the results of exploring testing, the QA team can decide the test cases that they can automate. Automated test cases are faster as compared to manual testing and enable you to reuse the same script again. So, divide the test cases into two groups –

(i) manual test cases

(ii) automated test cases

Step 4: Test Cases Prioritization

Now, you collect all the test cases and prioritize them such as high, medium, and low. By this evaluation, you will execute the high-priority cases first, followed by medium and low-priority test cases. The priority will depend on the product’s functionality and user involvement.

Step 5: Executing Test Cases

Finally, it’s time to execute all the test cases and test whether the product is working as it should or not. You can go for manual testing or automation as per the requirement. For automated regression testing, using functional tools like Selenium, QTP, Watir, etc., allows you to execute the test cases faster.

Conclusion

Regression testing is a crucial aspect of software development that ensures code changes do not impact existing functionality. By re-executing previously passed test cases, developers can maintain software quality and reliability. While it can be time-consuming, especially when done manually, the benefits of catching potential issues early far outweigh the costs. With proper test case selection, prioritization, and execution strategies—including automation where appropriate—regression testing helps deliver stable, high-quality software products that meet user expectations and business needs.

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In the world of software development, ensuring the quality and reliability of an application is of utmost importance. Two crucial techniques that play a vital role in achieving this goal are unit testing and functional testing. While both are essential components of the testing process, they serve distinct purposes and operate at different levels of the software development life cycle (SDLC).

This blog aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of unit test vs functional test, their differences, and how they complement each other in delivering high-quality software solutions.

What is Unit Testing in Software Engineering?

Unit testing is a software testing technique that involves testing individual units or components of an application in isolation. A unit can be a function, method, module, or class, and it represents the smallest testable part of an application. The primary goal of unit testing is to verify that each unit of code works as expected and meets its design requirements.

Unit tests are typically written by developers during the coding phase of the SDLC and are executed automatically as part of the build process. They are designed to be fast, independent, and repeatable, allowing developers to catch and fix bugs early in the development cycle before they propagate to other parts of the application.

Types of Unit Testing

Here are the 3 different types of unit testing in software testing along with their examples.

Black-box Testing: In black-box testing, the internal structure and implementation details of the unit under test are not known to the tester. The focus is on testing the functionality of the unit by providing inputs and verifying the expected outputs.
White-box Testing: White-box testing, also known as clear-box testing or structural testing, involves examining the internal structure and code implementation of the unit under test. This type of testing is typically performed by developers, who have access to the source code.
Regression Testing: Regression testing is performed to ensure that changes or fixes introduced in the code do not break existing functionality. It is a crucial part of the unit testing process, as it helps maintain code stability and prevent regressions.

Examples of Unit Testing

Testing a mathematical function that calculates the area of a circle by providing different radius values and verifying the expected results.
Testing a string manipulation function that converts a given string to uppercase or lowercase by providing various input strings and checking the outputs.
Testing a sorting algorithm by providing different arrays of data and verifying that the output is correctly sorted.

What is Functional Testing in Software Engineering?

Functional testing, also known as black-box testing or system testing, is a testing technique that focuses on verifying the overall functionality of an application or system from an end-user perspective. It is typically performed after the integration of individual units or components and aims to ensure that the application meets the specified requirements and behaves as expected.

Furthermore, functional tests are designed to simulate real-world scenarios and user interactions with the application. They validate various aspects of the application, such as user interfaces, data inputs and outputs, error handling, and compliance with business rules and requirements.

Types of Functional Testing

Smoke Testing: Smoke testing is a type of functional testing performed to verify the basic functionalities of an application after a new build or deployment. It is typically a subset of the complete test suite and is used to quickly identify any critical issues before proceeding with further testing.
Usability Testing: Usability testing evaluates the user-friendliness and ease of use of an application’s user interface (UI). It involves observing real users interacting with the application and gathering feedback on their experience.
Acceptance Testing: Acceptance testing is performed to validate that the application meets the specified requirements and is ready for deployment or delivery to the end users. It is often conducted by the client or a user representative.
Compatibility Testing: Compatibility testing ensures that the application functions correctly across different platforms, operating systems, browsers, and hardware configurations.

Examples of Functional Testing

Testing an e-commerce website by simulating the entire user journey, including browsing products, adding items to the cart, and completing the checkout process.
Testing a mobile application by performing various actions, such as logging in, creating and editing user profiles, and verifying that the application responds correctly to different user inputs.
Testing a banking application by performing financial transactions, such as deposits, withdrawals, and transfers, and verifying that the account balances are updated correctly.

Unit Testing vs. Functional Testing: Key Differences

While both unit testing and functional testing are essential components of the software testing process, they differ in several key aspects:

Testing Level: Unit testing operates at the smallest level of code, testing individual units or components, while functional testing operates at the system or application level, testing the overall functionality and integration of components.
Test Case Design: Unit test cases are typically designed and written by developers based on the code implementation details, while functional test cases are designed by testers or business analysts based on the application’s requirements and specifications.
Test Execution: Unit tests are typically automated and executed as part of the build process, while functional tests can be manual or automated, depending on the complexity and requirements of the application.
Testing Perspective: Unit testing focuses on the internal implementation and behavior of individual units, while functional testing focuses on the external behavior and user experience of the application as a whole.
Testing Scope: Unit testing has a narrow scope, focusing on individual units, while functional testing has a broader scope, covering the overall functionality and integration of multiple components.
Test Environment: Unit tests are typically executed in a controlled and isolated environment, while functional tests are often performed in a more realistic or production-like environment.
Testing Objectives: Unit testing aims to ensure the correctness and reliability of individual units, while functional testing aims to validate that the application meets the specified requirements and user expectations.

The Importance of Both Unit Testing and Functional Testing

While unit testing and functional testing serve different purposes and operate at different levels, they are both essential components of a comprehensive software testing strategy. Unit testing helps catch and fix bugs early in the development cycle, ensuring code quality and maintainability, while functional testing validates the overall functionality and user experience of the application.

Furthermore, by combining these two testing techniques, developers and testers can achieve a higher level of confidence in the quality and reliability of the software they deliver. Unit testing promotes a modular and testable codebase, enabling easier integration and maintainability, while functional testing ensures that the application meets the specified requirements and provides a satisfactory user experience.

In modern software development practices, such as Agile and DevOps, both unit testing and functional testing are integrated into the development lifecycle, enabling continuous testing, rapid feedback, and early detection of issues. Automation plays a crucial role in enabling efficient and repeatable testing at both the unit and functional levels.

Conclusion

Unit test vs functional test are complementary techniques that serve different purposes in the software development life cycle. While unit testing focuses on verifying the correctness and reliability of individual units or components, functional testing validates the overall functionality and user experience of the application.

By understanding the differences and strengths of these testing techniques, developers and testers can create a comprehensive testing strategy that ensures high-quality software deliverables. Effective testing practices, including a combination of unit testing and functional testing, contribute to increased code quality, maintainability, and user satisfaction, ultimately leading to successful software projects.

Category: Software Testing & QA

What is Regression Testing? All You Need To Know

What is Regression Testing?

Is It Possible To Perform Regression Testing Manually?

Examples of Regression Testing

When to Perform Regression Testing?