The process of software testing implicates the identification and resolution of bugs and flaws. It is a crucial aspect of software development that guarantees the quality and reliability of the final product. Frequently, new bugs emerge during updates, implementation of new features, or other aberrations. The word “regression” implies a return to a previous or earlier state. Therefore, automated regression testing best practices are considered the best recourse in such a situation.
Regression testing guarantees that after the Quality Assistance team updates a code or fixes the bug, the possibility of new bugs emerging is dealt with. Hence, regression tests are performed by all software product organizations to maintain their quality posture. Furthermore, regression testing is a critical phase in the software development life cycle that is carried out after a product has undergone any change or enhancement. Additionally, the product undergoes retesting to ensure any portions that the patch may have impacted are comprehensively evaluated.
Regression testing can be conducted manually or automatically by executing a particular set of test cases, constructing it as a vital component for creating high-quality software. Nonetheless, regression testing has become more complex as software development moves towards the cloud. Cloud-based systems are dynamic and demand frequent updates, which makes it tedious to ensure that software quality is maintained. To accomplish this, organizations must embrace best practices that facilitate efficient regression testing in the cloud.
This blog will explore the best practices for regression testing in the cloud.
Let’s go.
Understand the Purpose of Regression Testing
Regression testing is a vital component of guaranteeing the quality of software, particularly in cloud-based environments where continuous updates and changes are the norm. Regression testing aims to verify that previously functioning features and functionalities of the software are still operating as expected after changes or updates have been made. Through running a series of automated and manual tests, regression testing can swiftly identify any unintended impacts on the software caused by new changes or updates.
By understanding the purpose and importance of regression testing, software development teams can guarantee that their products remain stable, steadfast, and meet the expectations of end-users. Henceforth, it is paramount to integrate regression testing into the software development cycle and to guarantee that the process is invariably applied throughout the development process.
Developers and testers perform software regression testing every time the code is changed. The scenarios for executing regression testing are:
- There exists a recent development with added functionalities.
- Modifications are made to the existing specifications.
- If there are any errors or flaws, then that is rectified.
- Performance issues are fixed.
Here are some best practices to ensure software quality of regression testing in the cloud.
Choose the Right Test Cases
Regression testing is a fundamental aspect of guaranteeing software quality, especially in cloud-based environments where applications are delivered via the Internet. To accomplish adequate regression testing, it is vital to choose the suited test cases that will ensure maximum test coverage and accuracy. The first step in determining test cases is to specify critical functionalities of the software that have altered since the last release. These functionalities must be tested comprehensively to make sure they are working as expected.
Additionally, it is paramount to select test cases that cover different scenarios and edge cases to guarantee the software can handle unanticipated occurrences. Furthermore, selecting the suited test cases can assist in reducing the cost and time associated with testing, as well as increase the likelihood of catching defects before they reach production. Henceforth, selecting the suited test cases is a critical best practice for successful regression testing in the cloud.
Understand the AUT/Product Adequately
The Quality Assurance teams need to deeply understand the application to comprehend the areas that would be more prone to flaws due to the new changes. One way to enhance your understanding is by creating story cards for each module and linking them together to illustrate the interconnections between the modules more cohesively. By utilizing this approach, it becomes straightforward to determine the inter-module dependencies and the potential impact of any changes made to a particular module on other interconnected modules.
Develop a Comprehensive Test Suite
Developing a comprehensive test suite is a crucial step in regression testing, guaranteeing that your software functions as intended after implementing changes. A comprehensive test suite should incorporate automated and manual tests, encircling a wide range of scenarios and edge cases. It is paramount to pinpoint and prioritize the most crucial functionalities and test them rigorously to uncover any defects or issues. Furthermore, it is imperative to guarantee that the test suite is invariably maintained and updated to stay abreast of any modifications made to the software.
Dev-Quality Assurance Pairing
Quality assurance can liaise with developers and testers during the programming of new modules. Again, this functions as an excellent medium for QA teams to document their observations and strategize their regression test suites to get the maximum test coverage for the release. Dev-Quality Assurance Pairing is an increasingly prevalent approach for teams to maintain a high level of quality in their software development. This collaborative approach allows developers and quality assurance professionals to work together and identify potential issues and areas for improvement while programming new modules.
Prioritize Test Cases based on Risk
Prioritizing test cases based on risk is a best practice that should not be overlooked when it comes to regression testing in the cloud. It helps to guarantee that the most integral parts of the software are tested comprehensively before release. This implicates pinpointing the areas of the software that are most likely to have defects or that would have the most significant impact if defects were present. By prioritizing these areas, teams can concentrate their regression testing efforts where they matter most. This method helps to diminish the possibility of critical defects slipping through the cracks and being released into production.
Identify the Regression Test Coverage Right
Here are a few points to consider for marking a test case as a regression test prospect:
- The test cases cover the fundamental workflow of typical organization use cases.
- Areas with a high risk of AUT cases.
- The test cases that enfold the core components of the AUT.
- The primary and crucial test case for an e-commerce web application is the seamless integration of the application with the payment gateway. That is why it should be present in the regression pack.
- It can be beneficial to retain test cases that have exposed defects in previous testing cycles.
- Develop a logical set of test cases rather than maintaining exhaustive one-to-one test cases.
- Maintain consistent monitoring of the regression test suite and ensure its frequent updates as the application development progresses.
Automating Regression Suites
Grooming the regression suite is a continuous and iterative process that begins at application startup and is maintained throughout the product’s lifecycle. It is recommended that this suite comprises a significant number of test cases to ensure comprehensive test coverage. In some instances, thousands of test cases may be necessary to achieve this objective. Manually conducting this task creates a significant burden on the testing teams.
To prevent such occurrences, it is advisable to implement an automation tool framework that can execute regression test suites and promptly notify development teams of any code modifications that cause application malfunctions. This drastically diminishes the testing steps and gets the issues pinpointed and fixed swiftly.
To automate the regression suite, choosing a cloud-based platform like LambdaTest leverages the true capability of the test process. You can perform regression testing at scale; LambdaTest is the best option. We know that with an increase in the complexity of the software applications, there is an increase in test cases, and for this, we need LambdaTest, which allows for automating the process. It is a digital experience testing platform that offers a cloud-scalable infrastructure of a large online farm of 3000+ browsers, OS, and devices to automate the regression test, which helps businesses leverage their test execution speed and decrease the time to market. Furthermore, LambdaTest supports all major testing frameworks, such as Selenium, Playwright, Jest Cypress, and many more. Because of such features, more than 2 million testers and 10000+ enterprises rely on LambdaTest for their testing needs, making it one of the most trusted and robust testing platforms.
Use Defect Tracking Systems to Document
Within the contemporary agile landscape, which emphasizes regular releases, it is imperative to meticulously monitor any instances in which performance falls short of anticipated outcomes, as such data will provide the foundation for regression test plans. One of the best practices for regression testing addresses the issue of insufficient documentation. It is advisable to document the process comprehensively, outlining each step with supporting evidence that can be utilized in the future to create automated test cases.
Monitor and Analyze Test Results
Monitoring and analyzing test results is critical to guaranteeing the quality of the software. By monitoring and analyzing test results, developers and testers can determine patterns and trends in defects, pinpoint areas for headway in the testing process, and make informed decisions about when to release new software updates. To effectively monitor and analyze test results, it is vital to employ a reliable test management tool that furnishes real-time reporting and analytics. The tool should authorize developers to readily generate reports and visualizations that furnish insights into the testing progress and the effectiveness of the test cases.
Conclusion
Regression testing in the cloud is an essential part of the software testing process. It enhances product stability and furnishes comprehensive visibility into updates resulting from any code modification. With the increasing adoption of cloud platforms and the demand for prompt software releases, implementing these best practices is essential for maintaining a competitive edge in today’s market. By prioritizing software quality through effective regression testing in the cloud, organizations can guarantee customer satisfaction, diminish the risk of costly bugs, and enhance their reputation as a reliable and high-performing software provider.