Automated Regression testing
What is Automated Regression Testing (ART)?
Automated regression testing (or software testing) is a technique that uses computer-based tools to evaluate a software program after it has been updated with new features or code.
This automation is used in regression testing to automate the application and planning of workflows, scripts, or other activities.
It is common to do preliminary research about the software testing criteria, test strategy, and any changes to the product or its functionality before performing automated regression testing.
Automated regression testing can be used to test many workflows. It includes checking that the software was correctly compiled after an update, as well as testing the workflow and finding functional errors. To identify any issues that might have occurred during an update, all supporting services are also tested.
To identify issues with the build, automated regression tests must be run several times. These steps are repeated several times to ensure that each test case is thoroughly tested and that everything works as it should.
How to automate regression testing?
It is crucial to make sure that regression testing has been done in a proper manner and that all findings and tests have been documented. Automation of regression testing is crucial. Automation saves time at all stages of the testing process including regression testing and documentation.
Automation often completes jobs in a shorter time and produces better results than manual operations.
Perfecto can be used to automate your regression testing processes, saving you time and money. Perfecto offers a number of benefits, including parallel testing, which can speed up testing times, sophisticated test reporting, which can help you find and correct defects through root cause analysis), rich artifacts and the ability to support more complicated automation cases.
Perfecto supports high-velocity automated testing of regressions on real iPhones and Android devices.
These devices are available to ensure that your app works across all platforms and all smartphones.
Perfecto makes it easy to create test cases. They will then execute automatically. These test cases can be repeated as many times you want to identify any issues in your code or build that you can quickly fix.
Automated Regression Testing Challenges
Even if all your prerequisites are met, there may be some problems that force you to reconsider. Automation is not without its challenges. These include maintenance and prioritization of testing.
Regression test suite is growing in number:
As new features become available, QA engineers must cover their behavior in final tests. These new features may become the core functionality. There are many test cases that can multiply exponentially over time. Instead of using reusable and laconic testing, you run the risk of getting automated scenarios that take too much time and require too many scripts to support.
Maintenance of the test suite:
It is obvious that a test suite requires revisions. However, it can be difficult to choose cases and scenarios, delete scripts that aren’t working anymore, or replace old tests. Automation is more complicated than manual work. Automation loses efficiency if it takes too long.
Automation is too easy:
Automation for the sake automation is what we have discussed earlier. The team should not aim to cover all possible areas. They should instead focus on high-risk areas, and write quality tests for those features. A test must be repeated at most five times to deliver ROI.
How to set up the testing process?
These challenges will not appear immediately. Before you can choose regression cases and maintain your test suite, there are many things to consider. We will not go into detail, but we will outline the basics of the setup process.
Analyze the impact of software changes on existing functionality.
Prepare the strategy for manual regression testing
Select test cases to automate regression test suite automation.
Define the programming languages that you would like to use.
Select the right tools for automation
Based on the data, conduct cost, resource and time analyses.
Plan the training or hire the necessary resources.
If necessary, select frameworks and support tools
Write automation scripts. These scripts should be reviewed and distributed to all who are able.
Regression tests can be performed at various levels (integration, functional, and unit).
How do you choose the right test cases for regression?
To see if the automation of cases is worth it, make a list after every release. This will help you prioritize tests when you don’t have time to run the entire regression suite again due to tight deadlines. You will need to automate the most frequently used tests.
These are some tips to remember when working on automated testing software.
Prioritize cases according to their business impact. Sanity tests are first followed by cases for essential functionalities and cases that have moderate project value.
Test cases should cover core software functionality. Also, test cases should be used to identify bugs that are frequently encountered.
You should include both positive and negative test results. Include both known failures and successes.
Test all code that is user-facing. Users will notice errors immediately unlike invisible ones.
You should test for domain bugs and edge cases, particularly those that are related to the most recent code changes.
Finally, classify the test cases selected as redundant, reusable, or obsolete. Add test cases to demonstrate the new critical functionality.
How to do Automation Regression Testing?
Regression testing is complex due to its technical complexity and high coverage. This guide will show you how to approach regression testing and integrate automation into your workflow.
Software change analysis -- This stage allows a developer to estimate which component of the system will be modified and the extent of that change.
Analysis of the impact of software changes. This stage involves analyzing the potential consequences of any code changes across the system. It also identifies all systems that could be affected by a new fix, or feature.
A strategy for regression testing. The testing team will outline the steps step-by-step. This is how a regression testing strategy might look:
1) Collect test data
2) Estimate the time required to execute test cases.
3) automate test cases;
4) Execute tests
5) report;
6) iteration.
Create a test suite: A QA specialist will write automated tests at this stage. Later, the regression testing automation specialist creates scripts that can be executed in a scripted languages chosen by the team.
Regression tests are essential: Automated tests should be prioritized and evaluated for reuseability. You should maintain high testing frequency and have a flexible reporting system.
Reporting: Reporting. A developer must develop the metrics of analysis and the scope of testing in order to write a summary report that is effective. He or she should also explain how the testing session helped them achieve the goal they set at the planning stage.
Best practices for automated regression testing
It is crucial to establish a set of guidelines to follow during every session of regression testing to ensure that it covers all aspects of the system.
Performance lab ensures that your testing process follows the following principles:
Regression packs are regularly updated. A regression pack, in general, is a collection all the tests that a company has run as soon as a new version of its code is available. It is important to ensure that the test suite matches the latest version of the app.
Re-run test cases that have passed with success. Many teams forget to run the tests again after a change has been made. Keep in mind, however, that code changes may have changed the functionality of components that were working perfectly before. It is important to re-run all successful tests.
Concentrate on routes with high traffic. Prioritize cases with frequently visited pages. Before you move on to testing other parts of the system, make sure that all components that drive core interactions and features are in order.
Be data-driven. Using data to test is a huge improvement on efficiency. It allows developers to write less code and eliminate redundancies. All the information gathered can be stored in a manageable database. Data-driven tests also offer higher precision and number of insights.
A variety of automation tools are available. You'll be able increase test coverage and expand testing opportunities.