Users demand a consistent experience from the application across all versions, regardless of what operating system or browser is used to access them. They also expect that if a feature works once, it will always work.
Regressing is a type of testing that guarantees everything that was functioning properly before the changes in the code continue to function correctly after the changes. Additionally, it makes sure that an application’s new improvements maintain its already functional features and usefulness across many platforms.
But regression testing demands a detailed analysis. While performing regression testing manually is an option, automated testing solutions can complete the task more rapidly. After every change to the applications, automated regression testing tools run the tests again to make sure that no functionality has been broken. They can increase productivity, optimize processes, cut expenses, and accelerate the development process.
There are several regression testing tools available right now, anyone trying to integrate them into their application is likely to become confused. Additionally, if the incorrect one is chosen, the situation will worsen. To prevent this from happening this article includes a brief overview of some of the top current regression testing tools for Web and Mobile Apps. This will enable choosing a tool that best complements the team and the practices.
Let’s first learn more about regression testing, its advantages, the reasons for its necessity, and finally the selection criteria for choosing the best regression test tool, before moving on to regression testing tools.
Regression Testing
Regression testing involves rerunning all functional and non-functional tests on a modified version of an application that has already been tested to find any bugs that were hidden or made obvious by the modifications. This implies making sure that a new build or change won’t impair functionality that was previously functional.
Regression tests are crucial to ensuring that the application continues to function as intended. It aims to find new flaws in functionality, while new feature testing concentrates on confirming the functionality of new code.
Regression testing, to put it simply, is a process where testers run test cases on an application that has the newest code and check to see if it is compatible with the older, stable codebase. It includes checking for performance problems, new features, and UI modifications.
What Are Regression Testing Tools?
Automated Regression tests are performed using tools to ensure that updates to an application have not resulted in any new bugs or issues that were not present in earlier versions. Tools for regression testing automate the laborious and time-consuming process of running previously run test cases to make sure the application continues to function as intended even after changes introduce fresh changes.
To find any changes or problems that may have been introduced, these tools can compare the findings of the most recent test run with the results of the previous test run. They are essential for having an efficient and accurate process in place to identify bugs and problems as soon as they arise.
Regression testing: Why it’s Important
Regression testing offers a variety of advantages. A few of them include
- Reducing the possibility that modifications to the codebase will damage the functionality that is already in place.
- Check to see if the previously functioning functionalities have any issues caused by the new code.
- Helps to identify different problems before they become difficult to uncover and cause trouble for users. This ultimately saves time and hassle and boosts people’s confidence in new releases.
- Increases application quality by making sure that new features can be added more quickly and with less time spent on troubleshooting.
Regression testing tool selection criterion
Here are some of the most crucial factors to take into account while choosing the most effective regression automation test tool.
User Experience
When choosing a regression testing tool, the user interface (UI) is crucial to take into account because it influences how simple and effective testing activities may be completed. A UI that is badly designed can cause dissatisfaction, failures, and decreased productivity. While a well-designed user interface (UI) makes it easy for testers to swiftly navigate the tool, comprehend its functionality, and easily generate and run test cases.
Usability
Usability should also be taken into account because it has a direct impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the testing process. Regression testing can be carried out more thoroughly and accurately if testers have access to an intuitive and user-friendly tool that makes it simple for them to build, run, and analyze test cases. On the other hand, a tool that is challenging to use or demands extensive training, might waste time and resources and even lead to mistakes during testing.
Integrations
The ability of a regression testing tool to support continuous integration and continuous deployment is another crucial requirement. Software integrations are necessary to assess how well the tool works with other systems and tools in the testing environment. Testers may quickly interchange data and information from the same platform using integration features, which also improve workflows and lessen the chance of errors or inconsistencies.
Quick and simple scriptwriting
As more features are added, the number of regression tests grows significantly, reaching thousands. A regression testing tool that facilitates script creation is typically a viable option for this.
Regression testing tools for Web and Mobile Apps
When programming is done on existing code for corrections, updates, or improvement purposes, the test team must have a robust regression testing process. This is done to check the functionality and stability of both the updated and original code. This process can be managed with the aid of regression testing tools, which can track issues and set priorities for solutions. The top tools for web and mobile app regression testing are listed below.
LambdaTest
Regression testing can be made easier using a cloud platform like LambdaTest. Using this platform testers can accelerate their testing processes. In addition to automating regression testing, the platform also supports mobile app testing, and cross browser testing.
Testing on real devices gives precise results and metric outputs. For regression testing of both web and mobile applications, testers can utilize the LambdaTest cloud platform that provides access to more than 3000 real devices, browsers, and operating system combinations online.
LambdaTest offers a wide range of test automation features in addition to doing regression testing, such as automated test case execution, test case management, and extensive reporting with many parameters that facilitate deeper analysis of test runs at a lower level. Built-in integrations across a range of areas, including CI/CD pipelines, issue-tracking systems, and bug management. To minimize the time for testers, it also allows parallel test execution.
Selenium
The most widely used automated tool for web application regression testing is Selenium. It supports a variety of operating systems and web browsers. It has grown to be the preferred choice for those searching for a scripted testing tool.
Each tool in the suite of tools that make up Selenium takes a unique approach to facilitate web-based automation testing. Users can create robust browser-based regression automation suites and tests with Selenium WebDriver.
It offers a powerful automation library with methods that are simple to use and can be executed on several different browsers. Cross-environment, operating system, and browser support, compatibility with a wide range of programming languages and other testing frameworks, parallel execution of numerous tests at once utilizing Selenium Grid, etc. are some of the prominent Selenium features.
Selenium is undoubtedly a great tool for performing frequent regression testing. It assists in allowing regression automation, which makes it possible to run test cases more quickly and automatically than manually.
Sahi Pro
Another well-known regression test automation tool is Sahi Pro, which aids in creating regression tests for desktop, mobile, and web-based applications. Large web applications may be tested rapidly and with little maintenance work. It is lightweight and has a simple interface that even those without technical expertise may use.
Its built-in logging and reporting capability aids in the analysis of the thorough test results with graphics that also show execution summaries. This makes it simple to maintain regression tests and helps debug issues rapidly.
Some of its other standout features include a smart assessor mechanism that prevents test script failure even in the case of minor UI changes, distributed and parallel playback, data-driven suites, simple and effective APIs, cross-browser and operating system support, and many more.
IBM (RFT)
It is frequently referred to as a “Rational Functional Tester” and is widely utilized in GUI and regression testing. The primary purposes of IBM Rational Functional Tester are automated functional testing and regression testing. It supports a variety of applications, including, applications based on Java, SAP, Flex, Ajax, and even terminal emulators.
It has several test automation and reporting features. It features a special feature called “Storyboard testing,” which records user activity on the AUT and displays it in a storyboard manner using app screenshots. Improved testing efficiency, simple script maintenance, and support for data-driven and GUI testing are further noteworthy features of RFT.
Watir
Watir is a lightweight and user-friendly tool for Web Application Testing. It is an open-source test automation library designed to work with Ruby applications. Regression testing suites can also be automated using Watir. It uses a browser in the same ways as people do, including clicking links, completing forms, and verifying content.
Its standout features include compatibility for all popular browsers across all platforms, the ability to analyze a page’s performance using an object with several characteristics, the ability to create straightforward, clear, and maintainable automated tests, and more.
TestComplete
TestComplete is an automated UI testing tool that enables the creation, maintenance, and execution of automated regression tests for desktop, mobile, and web apps. It offers quick automated GUI test creation in one browser and parallel execution across several real testing environments, such as browsers, operating systems, resolutions, and devices.
Thus contributes to enhanced application quality and thorough test coverage. Users can build regression tests with Testcomplete that are robust enough to not fail due to UI changes. It also allows for the scheduling and execution of regression tests without the need for human intervention.
Testcomplete offers a comprehensive solution for tester testing needs by enhancing its broad platform range with modern features. It gives testers the freedom to choose between scripted and scriptless approaches.
Ranorex Studio
When it comes to automated regression testing, Ranorex Studio is a highly effective automation solution that places the most emphasis on efficiency. A Selenium grid can be used to distribute or conduct concurrent regression testing. It is a complete solution for automating tests for desktop, online, and mobile applications. Ranorex Studio provides a complete development environment and API. With a codeless click-and-go interface and helpful wizards, it is simple for beginners yet powerful for automation professionals with a full IDE.
Users who wish to make their regression tests easier to manage should take advantage of features like robust object identification, a shareable object repository, support for data-driven tests, integrations with standard tools, and multi-device compatibility. For quick analysis, the tool creates fully customized reports with images, in-depth error logs, and video capture that are easy to read and understand.
Conclusion
For today’s quick application deployment processes, automated regression testing is crucial. By reducing the time to market and shortening development cycles, it enables users’ expectations to be met more quickly.
To scale up and maximize the efficacy of the testing process it is crucial to choose a regression automation testing tool that will make testing faster, fulfill the testing requirements, and provide smooth management of the full QA lifecycle. There are many regression testing tools in the market, but the tools mentioned above are just a handful of the more significant ones. Considering the needs, carefully select the appropriate tool.
