Regression Testing in Software Engineering: Everything You Need to Know 

How We Test Regression Testing

Regression testing ensures that changes to the software—such as bug fixes, updates, or new features—do not negatively impact the existing functionality. Here's how we typically approach regression testing:

1. Identify Impacted Areas:

   • We first identify the areas of the software that might be affected by the recent changes, such as code updates, bug fixes, or new features.

   • This helps us focus on the most critical parts of the application, though we may also include a broader set of tests if needed.

2. Select Test Cases:

   • We select existing test cases that cover the affected areas and critical workflows.

   • Test cases from previous test cycles are often reused to ensure consistency and verify that previously tested features still work as expected.

3. Automation (if applicable):

   • To speed up the process, we often automate regression tests, especially for repetitive tasks or when testing large applications.

   • Automated tests allow us to run regression tests frequently and on different platforms, ensuring comprehensive coverage without significant delays.

4. Execute Tests:

   • We execute the selected test cases (either manually or using automation tools) to validate the existing functionality.

   • Tests are conducted across different modules, ensuring that new changes have not affected unrelated parts of the application.

5. Compare Results:

   • We compare the results of the regression tests to the expected outcomes to identify any discrepancies or failures.

   • Any issues found are logged, analyzed, and communicated to the development team for resolution.

6. Re-test After Fixes:

   • Once the development team addresses any issues, we re-test the impacted areas to ensure that the fixes work and that no new defects have been introduced.

7. Continuous Regression Testing:

   • Regression testing is conducted regularly throughout the development lifecycle, especially before each release, to ensure that the software remains stable and reliable as it evolves.

Regression testing helps to maintain the integrity of the software, ensuring that new changes or enhancements do not introduce unintended side effects or break existing functionality.