Published: 23 Jun 2022
Role of Regression Testing in DevOps – A Quick Guide
Last Updated: 12 Jun 2024
Content
1. What is DevOps Regression testing?
2. Benefits of embedding DevOps Regression testing
3. Ideal DevOps Regression testing scenarios
4. How did Conventional Testing Work?
5. Where does Regression testing fit in DevOps?
6. Various Regression testing methods that fit in DevOps
7. Five key elements of the Regression test plan in DevOps
8. How to Perform Regression Testing?
9. Top 22 Regression testing tools
10. Conclusion
Digital companies utilize DevOps methodologies to more quickly bring products and services to customers with higher quality, more frequent releases. While delivering new versions at a faster pace, regular updates are implemented to continuously enhance how users interact with applications. In this rapid effort to efficiently produce top-performing software, regression testing guarantees that any code modifications do not compromise current features. Therefore, regression testing as part of DevOps confirms the application continues to operate flawlessly despite continuous code alterations.
What is DevOps Regression testing?
When digital businesses expand their DevOps ecosystems, the speed of product changes and tweaks increases as well. Regression testing confirms that even as updates happen quickly, everything continues to function as anticipated. This provides tremendous benefits to companies using DevOps.
Benefits of embedding DevOps Regression testing
• Regression testing integrated into the DevOps process effectively boosts the overall quality of products and guarantees an excellent user experience.
• Testing the product incrementally in shorter periods known as sprints helps ensure stability. Dividing.
• This identifies issues in functionality early during the development process, allowing for quicker fixes.
• Automated regression testing streamlines rework, allowing quality assurance engineers to focus their efforts on other important tasks.
• Automated regression testing in a DevOps environment can help ensure that releases are efficient by reducing both the time and cost required to execute tests, all while optimizing application quality.
Ideal DevOps Regression testing scenarios
In a proper DevOps scenario, it is wise to conduct Regression testing any time the codebase undergoes alteration or modification. Here are some instances when Regression testing facilitates an ideal equilibrium between continuous development and continuous testing within a DevOps environment.
When new functionality is introduced
The introduction of new functionality necessitates conducting regression tests. Modifying code always risks unforeseen compatibility problems. Reviewing every code thread for compatibility after alterations is time-intensive. Therefore, regression testing is conducted to economize time through early and swift bug identification.
When an existing functionality is updated:
Abrupt changes in corporate direction may occasionally necessitate a complete reworking of current application functions. In such scenarios, regression testing in DevOps allows developers to modify, refine, or potentially reexamine features while maintaining the overall integrity of the program.
When debugging the codebase
Addressing an issue can unintentionally result in additional problems developing in the codebase. During the debugging process within DevOps workflows, regression testing guarantees that resolutions for difficulties do not introduce further complications and confirms everything functions as planned.
Considering the importance of regression testing in the previous situations to guarantee defect- free releases, we will now examine how regression testing integrates into a DevOps process.
How did Conventional Testing Work?
A standardized and organized method, known as conventional testing, is used to assess software or product functionality and quality. The process begins with meticulously outlining test scope, goals, and procedures in detailed test plans. Test cases are then crafted from specifications and requirements to examine various system facets. The execution phase involves implementing test cases and then contrasting the results against expected outcomes.
Issues and problems are recognized, documented, and subsequently dealt with by development teams. Traditional testing depends substantially on manual work, where human testers mimic end users’ interactions to find defects and possible regions for refinement. While this process has proved helpful for many years, it can consume time and resources, resulting in the evolution of more automated and adaptable testing techniques in recent times.
Where does Regression testing fit in DevOps?
Regression testing holds an important part in a DevOps workflow. It occurs in several key situations. Testing replays after changes to the codebase to verify nothing was accidentally damaged.
• When product enhancements are done
• When new patches added
• When there are minor changes in the software configuration
• When integration with other apps takes place
• When there are code changes to upgrade performance
Various Regression testing methods that fit in DevOps
Build level Regression testing
The second development stage of a new software release allows engineers to confirm how the updated version functions and works compatibly. During this phase in the process, the development team can test the behavior of the newer code and ensure it operates as anticipated without conflicts.
Complete Regression testing
This tool can help quality assurance personnel reverse any potential changes introduced during extensive modifications to existing code. By restoring code to previous versions, testers can accurately evaluate new developments.
Partial Regression testing
Confirming the application functions properly is crucial when fresh sections of code are inserted into the existing framework. New additions to the programming should be tested to guarantee the software.
Unit Regression testing
This testing method allows testers to examine sections of code individually. Known as unit regression testing, it utilizes a targeted strategy where all intricate interactions and outside dependencies are briefly suspended. By concentrating efforts on discretized parts, testers can gain a thorough understanding of isolated functions and their intended behaviors before reintegrating pieces into a combined whole. This focused approach facilitates identifying precise sources of issues apart from other potential influences.
Five key elements of the Regression test plan in DevOps
It is important for companies to understand the key elements of a regression test plan after learning about the importance of regression testing in DevOps. Careful planning of resources and focusing quality assurance efforts in the right direction will help businesses utilize regression testing strategically.
Coverage
Testers cannot state which software components require regression testing without rereferring to a test plan. Coverage may be quantified by lines of code, statements, functions, or use cases. Quality assurance teams ought to utilize a code coverage report highlighting how much code has been tested by unit tests. While it could gauge test quality, this report also helps identify which code parts necessitate further testing.
Consistency
When carrying out regression testing, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate the entire application from start to finish. Testing professionals must guarantee that application segments are consistently assessed using identical tests and variables to generate equivalent outputs. Consequently, adhering to a standardized test procedure allows regression testing to be carried out more efficiently while also confirming test accuracy and the quality of the application.
Speed
An effective regression test plan clearly outlines all pertinent testing details in a systematic manner, making it straightforward to comprehend and carry out. This streamlines the regression testing process and increases the pace of the overall procedure.
Accountability
The key stakeholders responsible for quality assurance, such as a lead tester or senior QA member, may be designated for each sprint cycle. These individuals would be accountable for the recorded tests and required to sign off before changes go live. Assigning reliable stakeholders clear ownership helps ensure effective regression testing. When accountability is defined, it allows validation to function smoothly across sprints.
Continuity
Creating a comprehensive test plan is crucial for documenting the testing process and ensuring all parties involved have access to the necessary information. An ideal test plan outlines the steps required to replicate the testing environment, carry out each test, and measure associated outcomes. By detailing these components, the test plan empowers all team members to coordinate their roles and stay aligned on project expectations efficiently. A defined and accessible plan helps guarantee testing activities are completed as intended so the quality goals of the product are met.
How to Perform Regression Testing?
Conducting regression testing involves carefully confirming that new modifications or updates to a software program do not unintentionally influence existing capabilities. Here are the systematic steps for performing regression testing:
Identify Test Scenarios:
Examine the software’s current test cases and pinpoint important test situations that cover the key capabilities of the program. These circumstances serve as a foundation for regression testing to ensure all core functions continue working as expected.
Create Regression Test Suite
When developing a regression test suite, it is essential to address key aspects of the system systematically. The collection of test cases established should verify critical functionality and commonly utilized features to confirm existing capabilities remain intact following code alterations. Prioritizing test scenarios linked to essential operations and those employed frequently by end users will help ensure any revisions did not inadvertently impact areas that are vital or regularly relied upon. This targeted approach can provide confidence that core abilities function as intended after changes while streamlining the testing process.
Automate Test Cases (Optional)
Automating regression tests with testing tools deserves consideration if possible. Doing so can substantially accelerate the testing process and boost coverage of repetitive situations.
Execute Test Cases:
It is important to carefully test the new software version using the planned test cases from the regression test suite. Doing so will help confirm the software works as expected in an environment matching production as closely as feasible. Make sure the test setup accurately reflects the real-world deployment context to identify any issues before release.
Compare Results:
Compare the outcomes of testing the new version against the anticipated results from the baseline test cases. Take note of and document any differences or issues found during testing.
Defect Reporting:
If inconsistencies arise, develop defect reports containing comprehensive information regarding the problem, methods for reproducing it, and any supplementary documentation. Allocate the defects to the development team to remedy them.
Defect Resolution:
Our development team works diligently to resolve any issues brought to our attention. Once a problem has been reported, they get to craft a solution.
Regression Test Iteratively:
It is imperative to re-execute the complete regression test suite after every iteration of defect repair. This cyclic methodology persists until all severe issues have been remedied and the software attains the compulsory criteria for quality. With each round of troubleshooting, re-testing prior cases safeguards no new flaws unintentionally emerge.
Expand Test Coverage:
It is wise to think ahead as the project moves forward. The regression test suite could utilize expanded testing to account for recently added features or capabilities. Thorough testing helps ensure all components continue functioning as intended as new developments are incorporated.
Maintain Regression Test Suite:
It is imperative to routinely refine and care for the regression test suite to mirror alterations in the software and guarantee that it stays an effective instrument for validating software improvements. These steps for regression testing help verify that the software continues functioning properly and reliably, even after implementing changes or updates. They give assurance in the overall quality of the application by confirming it remains stable following alterations.
By following these steps, regression testing helps ensure that the software remains stable and reliable, even after introducing changes or updates, and provides confidence in the application’s overall quality.
Top 22 Regression testing tools
• UiPath Test Suite
• Tricentis TOSCA
• Subject7
• Cerberus Testing
• Testimony
• Digivante
• Testsigma
• TimeShiftX
• Appsurify TestBrain
• Avo Assure
• testRigor
• Sahi Pro
• Selenium
• Watir
• TestComplete
• IBM Rational Functional Tester
• Katalon Studio
• Ranorex Studio
• TestDrive
• AdventNet QEngine
• TestingWhiz
• WebKing
Conclusion
Businesses in the UK today face the challenge of delivering rapid, top-notch product updates that offer customers an outstanding experience in our digital world. To achieve this, UK companies must guarantee products meet exceptionally high standards of quality to satisfy customer needs. One way to do so is incorporating software testing from the earliest phases of development. Leveraging regression testing in Agile methodologies can help ensure timely market availability of defect-free solutions. This approach tests all features comprehensively from start to finish. Thereby, UK enterprises help confirm customer expectations are consistently fulfilled with each new release.
How Can TestingXperts Help?
TestingXperts focuses extensively on regression testing in the UK. Their wide range of regression testing services encompasses:
• Software Regression Testing
• System Integration Regression Testing
• Functional Regression Testing
• Automated Regression Testing
• End-to-End Regression Testing
Our cost-effective regression testing model helps QA teams to deliver a reasonable balance between test selection and fault detection. Leverage our next-gen regression testing services for quality products.
Through our affordable regression testing approach, quality assurance teams can strive for an appropriate balance between test case selection and the identification of issues. Rely on our next generation regression testing services to help ensure high-quality end products.
Talk to our QA experts today