What is Regression Testing?

Regression testing is a software testing technique that is performed to ensure that any changes or modifications made to a software application do not introduce new defects or issues into previously tested functionality. It involves retesting the existing functionalities of the software to verify that they still work as expected after any changes have been made.

The main objective of regression testing is to identify and fix any defects or issues that may have been introduced due to changes in the software. It helps in ensuring that the overall quality and stability of the software is maintained throughout the development process.

Regression testing can be performed at various stages of the software development lifecycle, such as after bug fixes, enhancements, or new feature additions. It involves running a set of predefined test cases that cover the critical functionalities of the software to ensure that they are not affected by the changes.

The process of regression testing typically involves the following steps:

1. Test case selection: Selecting a set of test cases from the existing test suite that cover the critical functionalities of the software.

2. Test case execution: Running the selected test cases to verify that the existing functionalities are not affected by the changes.

3. Defect identification: Identifying any new defects or issues that may have been introduced due to the changes.

4. Defect resolution: Fixing the identified defects and verifying the fixes.

5. Test case maintenance: Updating the existing test cases or creating new test cases to cover any new functionalities or changes in the software.

Regression testing is an essential part of the software testing process as it helps in ensuring that the software remains stable and reliable even after changes have been made. It helps in reducing the risk of introducing new defects and ensures that the software meets the desired quality standards.