In this guide, we are going to learn why regression testing is an important step in terms of a successful mobile app development process.
Whilst, bearing in mind, the world of mobile applications is constantly changing. With new technology trends and computing features being introduced, designers and developers must maintain their web applications’ stability.
These days, many agile testing work environments employing workflow practices such as XP (Extreme Programming), RUP (Rational Unified Process), or Scrum will all appreciate regression testing. More so, as an essential aspect of a dynamic, iterative web-based platforms and applications development and marketplace deployment schedule.
No matter what software development and quality-assurance process your organization uses, if you take the time to put in enough careful planning upfront, crafting a clear and diverse testing strategy with automated regression testing at its core, you can help prevent projects from going over budget, as well as keep your task force team on track.
And, most importantly, prevent unexpected bugs from damaging your products and your company’s bottom line. Overall, regression testing is an essential part of app development that allows you to stay ahead of any potential issues and ensure your application stays stable when new changes are made. This article will look at what regression testing entails.
As well as its importance in mobile app development, and its advantages and drawbacks. Last but not least, we’ll give some of the topmost best practices to help you ensure that your regression testing is a big-time success.
What Regression Testing Usually Entails
By definition, Regression Testing is a type of software testing that verifies that software changes — whether introduced through code tweaks, bug fixes, or updates – do not break existing features. It’s often focused on identifying bugs that arise after changes are made to code and aim to ensure that pre-existing functionality still works. You’ll learn from this video guide:
Moving on, whenever developers change or modify their software, even a small tweak can have unexpected consequences. For such reasons, regression testing allows for testing existing software applications to make sure that a change or addition hasn’t broken any existing functionality. Its purpose is to catch bugs that may have been accidentally introduced.
More so, into a new build or release candidate, and to ensure that previously eradicated bugs continue to stay dead. It also entails re-running testing scenarios that were originally scripted when known problems were first fixed. And, as such, you can make sure that any new changes to an application haven’t resulted in a regression.
In addition, you’ll also be able to track and trace the new changes that caused components that formerly worked to fail. Suffice it to say, such tests can be performed manually on small projects. But, in most cases, repeating a suite of tests each time an update is made is too time-consuming and complicated to consider, that’s where an automated testing tool comes in.
Why Regression Testing Is Essential In Mobile App Development
Technically, regression testing goes beyond basic unit and integration tests and is a final step before deployment. In regression testing, testers create automated test scripts for comparisons between the old version of the application with the introduced changes. These test scripts can be re-run if needed. Regression testing aims to confirm one basic thing only…
To fully be satisfied that all previously successful software runs as expected, even after modifications and new requirements are implemented. Oftentimes, some software development teams try to get by without performing regular regression tests. Presumably, opting to test essential functions just once to make sure they work and if they check out as intended.
Resource Reference: The Topmost Best Mobile App Testing Tools For iOS And Android
One common mistake is proceeding with the hopeful assumption that those functions will still work unless they’re directly modified again. In a way, this makes sense: it’s natural to want to simply make a change, test it, and move on. There are also performing functional test steps or highly specific unit tests to see if a new software component works as it should.
In general, this is what has been called “non-regression testing” by Doug Hoffman and others. But, it can be relatively easy to find a specific problem when you’re looking for it; what’s harder is catching all the ones you don’t expect. With that in mind, the following are some of the significance of regression testing in a mobile-based application development process.
1. Improved application usability and reliability
Regression testing helps ensure that changes made to the app don’t negatively impact the user experience or cause unexpected errors. By running regression tests, developers can identify any bugs or problems with the new code before it is released to customers. This can increase customer satisfaction by ensuring that their applications remain reliable and usable.
2. Increased customer satisfaction with reliable performance
By testing changes made to an application before its release, developers can reduce any potential risk of bugs entering the production environment. This reduces the chances of customers experiencing poor app performance and prevents costly downtime or other issues caused by undetected bugs.
3. Reduced risk by preventing bugs from entering the production environment
Regression tests are a great way to minimize any potential risks with making app changes. By running these tests, developers can detect and fix any issues before they become a problem in the live environment, reducing any disruption caused by unforeseen bugs entering into production.
4. Satisfaction of the needs of the end-user through optimal experience
In this case, if you want your app to do well, you need to test it on as many platforms or devices as possible. On one side, you may have clients who use a diverse range of devices running on various operating systems, which may increase the level of testing complexity. On the other side, you’ll need to design your regression testing plan around those requirements.
5. A source of learning curve powered by the end-user experience data
By all means, it is critical to analyze the critical application workflows or end-user app journey and gain more resource insights. For instance, you’ll be able to learn how your end users access/use your app from start to finish. In addition to the critical app flows through which they go to complete the tasks while performing regression testing on your apps.
The Other Main Testing Types To Consider In Your Strategic Plan
Generally, although your application may have a bundle of unique and useful features, it may still fail or give your users a bad experience. So, to ensure that your app is successful, you must test it under the different conditions in which the app will be used. Remember, every user goes through these workflows every time they use your app.
Therefore, it is important that you test your app on these critical journeys to prevent any unforeseen app malfunctioning and ensure smoother task completion. But, you can’t get started without knowing the kind of regression testing type you’ll need. Simply put, software testing methodologies are the various strategies or approaches used to test an application.
In this case, to ensure that it behaves and looks as expected. Perse, these methodologies encompass everything from front to back-end, including unit and system testing. Below is a video guide to other testing types in software engineering:
The key goal of utilizing numerous testing methodologies in your development process — that’s to make sure your software can successfully operate in multiple environments. As well as across different platforms. These can typically be broken down between functional and non-functional testing. And now, let’s have a quick look at them down below.
Consider the following:
- Functional Tests (Black Boxes, White Boxes): Functional tests (black box and white box testing) involve testing an application’s functionality to identify code errors. This type of test is beneficial for uncovering any issues with the application’s work. Such as incorrect results or unexpected behavior.
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- Performance Tests (Load, Stress, Soak): Performance tests (load, stress, or soak tests) are used to identify any potential performance problems in an application. Load testing, for example, involves running a program with many users at once to check how it responds to heavy traffic. Stress testing consists of increasing a system’s workload until it reaches its breaking point, while soak testing attempts to detect any long-term issues that may arise from sustained usage over time.
- Security Tests: Security tests are conducted to check for any vulnerabilities or weaknesses in an application that could lead to data breaches or other malicious attacks. This type of test is critical when dealing with sensitive customer information, as it can help prevent unwanted users from gaining access to private data.
- Automated Tests: Automated tests are preprogrammed scripts that allow developers to quickly and efficiently run multiple regression tests without having to input each one manually. This can be a great way to speed up the process and save time and money.
- Manual Tests: Manual regression testing involves running each test individually by hand, either through manual commands or automation tools like Selenium WebDriver. While this requires more effort than automated testing, it helps identify minor issues that automated checks may miss.
The Simple Steps To Prepare For A Great Regression Testing Process
Be that as it may, before going for regression testing, you need to collect information on what kind of devices and operating systems are being used by your target customers. As a matter of fact, it is best to start with a core user base and gradually extend beyond it. On that note, below are the basic steps that you’ll need in order to initiate your regression testing process.
Step #1: Establish a Clear Timeline for the Project
Before beginning regression testing, developers should ensure they have a clear timeline. This includes setting milestones and timelines for each stage of the process and developing an overall schedule with estimated durations. This plan will help ensure that everything is completed within the allotted time frame.
Step #2: Set up an Efficient Test Environment
It’s important to create a proper test environment before attempting any regression testing. This means ensuring that all resources, such as test data, software programs, and hardware devices, are set up correctly and ready to use. This will also help reduce potential delays and provide a smooth testing experience.
Step #3: Choose the Correct Tools for Automation
Automation is one of the most valuable regression testing tools, but choosing the right ones for your specific purposes is essential. Different automation tools can be used depending on the test type (functional, performance, or security), so it’s crucial to select the best suited to your needs.
Step #4: Gather Enough Resources to Help With Manual Tests
If manual tests are being used in addition to automated ones, then it’s essential to have enough resources available to avoid delays or backlogs. This could mean ensuring enough testers on staff or outsourcing some tasks to ensure everything goes smoothly during this process.
Getting Started With Regression Tests Execution
- Set up Data Fixtures: Before executing any regression tests, it’s crucial to set up the appropriate data fixtures. This involves setting up test cases and their associated data (such as inputs, outputs, and expected results) so that the correct information is used for each test run.
- Execute automated and manual tests: After the data fixtures have been established, developers can run automated and manual tests to find any issues with the code. Automated tests are usually faster and more efficient than manual ones, but both are necessary to assess an application’s performance thoroughly.
- Monitor Test Results: While executing regression tests, it’s important to keep track of all test results to identify any potential problems or errors quickly. This includes tracking the number of tests run, how long they take, any errors or exceptions encountered, etc.
- Track Issues and Bug Fixes: Once errors have been identified through regression testing, it’s essential to document all issues and bug fixes to ensure that any potential problems are addressed correctly. This can help save time later on when trying to resolve or replicate any issues that arise in the future.
Some Regression Testing Drawbacks In Mobile App Development
- Time: Regression testing can take quite a bit, as testers need to go back over old code and identify any potential issues that may have been missed during initial development. This can be especially difficult if the codebase or requirements are large or complex, as there might be a lot of ground to cover before sufficient testing is done.
- Cost: As regression tests require extensive resources to ensure accuracy and reliability, they can be costly. This can be a major problem for smaller organizations or projects with tight budgets, making it difficult for them to utilize this method for their testing needs.
- Complexity: Testing, in general, requires specific skills and technical knowledge to assess an application’s performance properly. Due to the complexity of mobile app development, conducting regression tests effectively can be tricky, even for experienced software developers.
- Difficulty Reproducing Bugs: Since regression tests are mainly used to uncover existing problems rather than create new ones, it can be hard to find the exact environmental conditions needed to reproduce specific bugs – making it harder to identify root causes and fix them accordingly.
The Best Practices For A Quality Regression Testing Process
It’s important to realize, that every time we change the original application code, it creates bugs. That’s why it’s imperative to run tests every time we make a change. It helps identify the bugs and fix them in time. Regression testing helps you improve the way the program works and how well it works. It is a crucial step in software development.
Some research studies show that regression testing saves up to 60% time in bug fixing and 10%-40% money. Enterprises can even automate regression testing. So as to identify and fix bugs every time there is a new release.
Automation helps reduce the amount of time and effort spent on manual regression testing.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before starting.
1. Reuse Code as Much as Possible
One of the best ways to reduce the time spent on regression testing is to reuse existing code whenever feasible. This can reduce the time and effort required while ensuring high quality and accuracy.
2. Prioritize the Riskiest Areas First
When running regression tests, it’s crucial to prioritize the riskiest areas first. This means focusing on areas that may be more prone to bugs or errors and those that have significantly changed since the last round of tests was run.
3. Keep Track of Time Spent on Each Bug Fix
Tracking how much time is spent on each bug fix during regression testing is important. This will help developers evaluate which fixes are most effective and identify any potential bottlenecks early in their process.
4. Monitor Test Results for Any Bugs During Regression Testing
While running regression tests, it’s essential to monitor all test results for any errors or issues that may have been overlooked during development. This includes tracking all runtime errors, memory leaks, and other problems that could affect the application’s performance.
5. Follow Coding Standards
Adhering to industry coding standards is essential when conducting regression tests. This means ensuring all coding conventions are followed, and code readability is maintained so that future changes can be made quickly and efficiently.
6. Practice Proper Wire Management
When dealing with complex systems or large databases, proper wire management is a must to ensure reliable performance during regression testing. This means thinking about signal strength, cable length, power needs, etc., to ensure the process goes smoothly.
7. Conduct Regular Security Checks
It’s crucial to continuously monitor mobile apps for security as they become increasingly popular and widespread across different platforms. These security checks are essential in regression testing to ensure the apps remain secure from malicious attacks or data leakage incidents.
Conclusion:
Overall, regression testing is necessary to ensure the quality and reliability of mobile applications. While it can be time-consuming and costly, its benefits far outweigh the drawbacks – making it essential for any successful mobile app development project. But, for regression testing to be effective, it needs to be seen as one part of a comprehensive strategy.
Such as the very basic testing methodology that is cost-effective and efficient while still incorporating enough varieties. For instance, when defining a well-designed frontend UI automated tests alongside targeted unit testing, based on smart risk prioritization — so as to prevent any aspects of your software applications from going unchecked.
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Regression testing is also used to identify bugs or problems in the code and can help developers improve user interaction. By performing regression tests, developers can ensure that all features of their app work properly and that any changes made will not cause problems for users. This helps ensure a positive user experience when using their mobile apps.