Difference between Retesting and Regression Testing

 

 

 

 

 

Regression Testing vs. Retesting: What’s the Difference and When is Testing Performed?

 

As a software development project progresses, testing is an integral part of ensuring the quality of the final product. However, not all testing is created equal. Two terms that are often used interchangeably are regression testing and re-testing. While they may seem similar, there are significant differences between the two and it is important to clearly differentiate regression testing vs retesting.

 

Regression testing involves testing previously functioning software after changes have been made to ensure that these changes haven’t negatively impacted other areas of the program. On the other hand, retesting involves testing software that has had defects fixed to ensure that the issue has been resolved. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between regression testing and retest, their importance in the software development cycle, and why understanding the distinction is crucial to delivering a high-quality final product.

 

What is the purpose of Regression Testing in Software Testing?

 

Regression testing is a type of software testing that is conducted after changes have been made to an existing program. This type of testing is done to ensure that the changes have not impacted previously functioning parts of the software. The goal of regression testing is to verify that the software still behaves as expected and all the existing features remain operational after the changes have been made.

 

Regression testing can be performed manually or automatically. Manual regression testing involves executing test cases manually to ensure that the software is still functional. On the other hand, automated regression testing involves using tools to automate the testing process. Automated regression testing is faster and more accurate than manual regression testing, and it is preferred when changes are made frequently.

 

In addition to ensuring that the software still works as expected after changes have been made, regression testing also helps to identify any new defects that may have been introduced during the development process. This makes it an essential step in the software development cycle.

 

What is Retesting?

 

Retesting is a type of software testing that is conducted after defects have been identified and fixed. The purpose of retesting is to ensure that the defect has been resolved and the software is now functioning as expected.

 

Retesting is typically conducted after a defect has been fixed and the software has been re-deployed. The testing team will then execute the test cases that failed due to the defect to ensure that the issue has been resolved. If the test cases pass, it means that the defect has been fixed, and the software is ready for release.

 

Retesting can also be performed manually or automatically. However, automated retesting is not as common as automated regression testing since retesting is typically conducted after a defect has been identified and fixed.

 

 

Key Difference Between Retest and Regression Testing Techniques

 

Both are two different types of software testing, and there are significant differences between the two. The key differences are:

 

1. When they are performed: Regression testing is conducted after changes have been made to the software, while retesting is conducted after defects have been identified and fixed.

2. Their purpose: Regression testing is performed to ensure that the changes made to the software have not negatively impacted previously functioning parts of the program, while retesting is performed to ensure that defects have been resolved.

3. Their scope: Regression testing involves testing the entire software system while re-testing only involves testing the specific defect that was fixed.

4. Their frequency: Regression testing is performed after every change to the software, while re-testing is performed after a defect has been identified and fixed.

 

Why Regression Testing and Re-Test are Important?

 

Regression testing ensures that changes made to the software have not negatively impacted previously functioning parts of the program. This helps to maintain the quality of the software and prevent new bugs from being introduced.

 

Re-testing is carried out to ensure that bugs have been resolved and the software is now functioning as expected. This helps to ensure that the product delivered to the end users is of high quality and meets their expectations.

 

By performing both regression testing and retesting, software development teams can ensure that their product is of high quality and meets the needs of their customers.

 

Regression Testing Suite vs. Retesting: Which One to Use?

 

Deciding whether to use regression testing or retesting depends on the specific needs of the project. If changes are made frequently to the software functionality, regression testing should be used to ensure that the new feature or new code changes have not impacted previously functioning parts of the new build.

 

If a bug has been identified, retesting is done to ensure that the defects are fixed. In some cases, both regression testing and re-test may be necessary to ensure that the software is of high quality and meets the needs of the end-users.

 

It is important to note that while automated testing tools can be used to perform both regression testing and re-test, manual testing is still necessary in some cases. For example, when testing the user interface or testing for usability, manual testing is typically more effective than automated testing.

 

Test Automation Tools and Techniques

There are many tools and techniques available for use. for regression testing, automated testing tools such as Selenium, Cypress, PlayWright TestComplete, and Appium can be used to automate the testing process. These tools can help to speed up the testing process and increase the accuracy of the tests.

 

For retesting, manual testing is typically used to ensure that the bug has been resolved. However, automated testing tools can also be used in some cases. For example, if the bug was related to a certain function or module in the software, an automated test can be created to ensure that the issue has been resolved.

 

Regardless of the tools and techniques used, it is important to ensure that the testing process is comprehensive and covers all aspects of the software.

 

Best Practices for Testers on Regression Test and Re-Test

 

To ensure that testing is effective and efficient, it is important to follow best practices. Some best practices are:

 

1. Automate as much as possible: Automated testing can help to speed up the testing process and increase the accuracy of the tests. Use automated testing tools whenever possible.

2. Use version control: Version control tools such as Git can help to keep track of changes made to the software and ensure that the correct version of the software is being tested.

3. Document test cases: Documenting test cases can help to ensure that all aspects of the software are being tested and that the testing process is comprehensive. Test results should be documented for failed test cases as well as for passed test cases.

4. Perform testing in a separate environment: Testing should be performed in a separate environment to ensure that the production environment is not impacted.

5. Perform testing early and often: Testing should be performed early in the development process and frequently throughout the project to ensure that bugs are identified and resolved as early as possible.

 

Common QA Challenges with Regression Test and Re-testing

 

There are several common challenges that software development teams may face when performing testing. Some of these challenges are:

 

1. Time constraints: Testing can be time-consuming, especially when done manually. This can lead to delays in the software development cycle.

2. Test data management: Managing test data can be challenging, especially when testing large and complex software systems.

3. Test environment management: Setting up and maintaining a separate test environment can be challenging, especially when testing complex software systems.

4. Test case maintenance: Maintaining test cases can be challenging, especially when changes are made frequently to the software.

5. Automation challenges: Automating testing can be challenging, especially when testing complex software systems or when testing the user interface.

 

Regression Testing vs ReTesting – Key Inferences

 

In conclusion, both of these types of tests are essential in the software development cycle. While they may seem similar, there are significant differences between the two that can impact the outcome of a project.

 

By understanding the differences between the two, software development teams can make the right choice for their testing needs. Whether automated or manual, comprehensive testing is necessary to ensure that the software is of high quality and meets the needs of the end-users.

 

FAQ’s Retesting and Regression Testing

What is retesting?

Retesting is the process of testing a specific functionality or component again to verify if the reported defect has been fixed or if the desired improvements have been achieved.

What is regression testing?

Regression testing is a type of software testing that is performed to ensure that recent changes or enhancements to an application have not adversely affected existing functionalities. It helps identify any potential side effects or conflicts that might have arisen due to the changes made.

What is the difference between retesting and regression testing?

The main difference lies in the purpose and scope of each type of testing. Retesting focuses on verifying that a specific defect has been resolved, while regression testing ensures that the recent changes or enhancements have not caused any unexpected issues or conflicts with existing functionalities.

Why is retesting and regression testing important in software testing?

Retesting is important to ensure that the reported defects have been fixed properly and that the desired improvements have been made. Regression testing is important to prevent any unintended negative consequences or conflicts caused by recent changes or enhancements to an application.

How is regression testing performed?

Regression testing can be done manually or through automation. It involves selecting and executing relevant test cases that cover the functionalities affected by the recent changes. By comparing the test results with the expected results, any discrepancies or issues can be identified.

What are the key differences between regression testing and retesting?

The key differences between regression testing and retesting include: – Purpose: Retesting verifies specific fixes or improvements, while regression testing ensures no negative impacts on existing functionalities. – Scope: Retesting is focused on a specific defect, while regression testing covers broader functionalities affected by recent changes. – Execution: Retesting can be performed multiple times until the desired outcome is achieved, while regression testing is typically performed once after changes are implemented.

When is retesting carried out?

Retesting is carried out after a reported defect has been fixed or after desired improvements have been implemented. It aims to validate that the fix or improvement has been successful and hasn’t introduced any new issues.

What is the relationship between regression testing and retesting?

Regression testing and retesting are both part of the testing process but serve different purposes. Retesting verifies specific fixes or improvements, while regression testing ensures that the overall functionalities of the application have not been negatively impacted by recent changes.