Automated regression testing

 Automated regression testing is a software testing technique that uses automation tools to execute pre-written tests in order to verify that recent code changes haven't negatively impacted existing functionalities.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:

What is Regression Testing?

• Purpose: To ensure that new code changes (like bug fixes, new features, or updates) do not inadvertently introduce new bugs or break existing features.
• Need: Whenever code is modified, there's a risk of unintended consequences in other parts of the application. Regression testing helps catch these issues early.

What is Automated Regression Testing?

• Automation: Instead of manually re-testing every part of the application after a change, automated scripts are used to execute tests automatically.
• Test Suites: A collection of pre-written test cases designed to cover various aspects of the application's functionality.
• Tools: Specialized software tools are used to create, execute, and manage these automated tests.

Benefits of Automated Regression Testing:

• Time-saving: Significantly reduces the time required for testing compared to manual testing.
• Cost-effective: While initial setup requires effort, it saves money in the long run by reducing manual testing costs and catching bugs early.
• Increased test coverage: More tests can be executed in a shorter time, leading to better coverage of the application.
• Improved accuracy: Reduces the risk of human error associated with manual testing.
• Faster feedback: Provides quick feedback to developers about the impact of their changes.
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) support: Enables frequent and automated testing as part of the CI/CD pipeline.

When to Automate Regression Tests:

• Frequent code changes: When software undergoes frequent updates and changes.
• Stable functionality: When the functionalities being tested are relatively stable and not changing rapidly.
• Repetitive tests: When the same tests need to be executed repeatedly.
• Large test suites: When the number of test cases is large and difficult to manage manually.

Tools for Automated Regression Testing:

There are many tools available for automated regression testing, including:

• Selenium: A popular open-source framework for web application testing.
• Appium: An open-source framework for mobile application testing.
• JUnit/TestNG: Java testing frameworks.
• pytest: A Python testing framework.
• TestComplete: A commercial test automation tool.
• Katalon Studio: A comprehensive automation tool for web, API, mobile, and desktop applications.

In summary:

Automated regression testing is a crucial practice in modern software development. It helps ensure software quality, accelerates the development process, and reduces costs by catching bugs early and efficiently. By using automation tools and well-designed test suites, development teams can confidently deliver reliable and stable software.

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By Jerry Ramonyai