Test cases refer to the particular actions assigned to test engineers, which must be executed during the testing course. One of the bottlenecks of Regression testing is choosing the right test cases. Regression tests certify that the already developed and the tested application continues to function correctly after a new feature or program code has been added. If the application does not operate properly, such a situation is called “regression.”
But without appropriate planning and test case selection, regression testing can be very tiresome and very extensive to perform. However, to ensure regression testing test cases produce the desired and accurate result, a tester’s logic should be circumspect when selecting these analogous actions.
While test case prioritization is necessary, a piece of professional advice to help you make selections for regression test cases ensures the framework and tools to perform the regression tests are current and effective altogether. Hence, as a professional QA company, we will be sharing some tips on how to choose test cases for regression. These will constitute guidelines which we use to ensure efficient and successful automation test services.
Regression Test Case Selection Methods
Methods for regression test case selection could be classified into three divisions:
1. Coverage Method
This method works based on the coverage. It includes coverable elements used in the updated segment of the software program.
2. Minimization Method
This method works similar to the method mentioned above, but it works based on selecting the smallest number of cases.
3. Safe Method
This technique is quite different from the coverage method mentioned earlier. It makes a selection of cases that influences an updated program to generate a mixed result aside from the actual program.
Guidelines for Selecting Test Cases for Regression Testing
The guidelines that embody differentiation and assessment of the above-named test case selection methods are explained below:
Inclusiveness: This examines the level at which a test case would influence the updated program to generate a specific outcome than the actual program. It assists in detecting defects that occur when upgrades are introduced.
Precision: The test cases that would not generate specific outcomes than the actual one won’t be selected.
Effectiveness: It estimates the financial budgets and the possibility of employing a distinctive method.
Generality: This checks the test case’s capacity to manage diverse language tokens, including preprogrammed and complicated changes within the network.
How to Prioritize Regression Test Cases
Before carrying out regression tests, QA teams need to plan the intended tests and select the steps to execute them accordingly. Here are some helpful tips for doing so rightly.
Criterion #1 Make a selection of test cases that up to date with the changes
When performing regression testing, the central focus should be on the cases where new program codes are added to the application functionality. The probability of finding errors in this aspect of the application is higher. During the recording of the cases, it’s necessary to note where modifications were made in order to earmark the reusable cases.
Criterion #2 Make a selection of test cases that meet the end-user demands
The testers performing the tests make it a necessity to certify that the application operates without anomalies and in conforms to the client’s specifications.
Criterion #3 Make a selection of test cases in aspects where errors are detected continuously
While performing regression testing, the tester must carefully choose the areas where errors are detected regularly. A part of the software would typically malfunction even though the program code was changed minimally. This increases the probability of having more issues in this aspect of the software.
Criterion #4 Make selection of test cases of the aspects visible to the end-user
An instance of this testing case selection would be a developed application on “Financial Management” web-based. It could contain different sections.
Assuming a section of the modules has an error that makes the application’s emblem look wrong. To the organization, the error may have minimal effects, but from the end-user’s perspective, it may have a binding effect, which is enough to interfere with efficient use.
Criterion #5 Make regression testing cases selection of integration tests
Integration testing can be defined as a software testing type that combines specific software sections and tests them as a unit. If one application has two sections combined in a manner that section 2 uses section 1.
If there were to be a modification to section 1, the information of section 2 wouldn’t get modified. This occurs due to combination problems within the interface that restrict data exchange from section 1 to section 2. Testers must detect this kind of issue and select all integration cases during regression testing for a valid test result.
Criterion #6 Make regression testing selection of every complex test cases
Testing of software is getting more complicated as new techniques are invented as the days progress. Usually, when performing complicated test cases, the application’s functionality is influenced, making it function below requirement, and sometimes the application crashes, resulting in more severe problems.
Consequently, testers are advised to include all complex cases in the regression testing and use distinctive procedures to certify software excellence and effectively test the complexity.
Criterion #7 Make a selection for test cases based on precedence
Progressively, regression testing situations can increase and require considerable time to execute. For such instances, to lessen the time, the first step would be to select the test cases that are the most important from the end-users perspective.
Criterion #8 Make selections according to cruciality and effect of corrections of defects
If the cruciality and effect of corrections of defects are minimal, the tester can make selections precisely of the demanding suits for the affected functions.
But if the relevance and effect of corrections of defects is increased, the tester would have to make selections of the test cases which are the most important from the end-users perspective, then the medium suits and the lower suits prioritized by the end-users
Criterion #9 Make a selection for regression testing using an illustrative of well-taken tests and unsuccessful test cases
When performing regression testing, there is a need for the tester to document test cases that were either successful or unsuccessful.
A failed test situation is where the test fails for a reason unrelated to how the application operates. Some elements of an application are likely to be compromised. Occasionally, some applications malfunction when program codes are introduced.
Again, if the outcome of a test situation was successful in the earlier tests, and the outcome is unsuccessful in the latest test carried out, in this case, the regression testing is unsuccessful.
Testers have to mark successful and unsuccessful test cases. The tester sometimes utilizes automation testing tools to confirm successful and unsuccessful test cases.
Few Regression Test Selection Algorithms to Use
A. Safe:
The first approach considers a method of regression testing that involves the whole test situation. It encompasses the updated techniques no less than once.
B. Minimization:
It selects the minimum number of those test cases that execute all the modified portions. Minimization is categorized as follows:
- Irregular 25% – Makes a 25% selection of the whole number of suits.
- Irregular 50% – Makes a 50% selection of the whole number of suits.
- Irregular 75% – Makes 75% of the whole number of suits. This method of making selections ensures a closely monitored framework to detect defects in a specified program.
Conclusion
How does your regression test case selection strategy stack up against our criteria? It is crucial that your approach to prioritizing cases and suits meets ALL of these criteria to ensure that you are not wasting resources on the wrong tests. The downside to this is that corporations experience difficulties in accomplishing full coverage if there are many test cases.
To minimize the time spent on regression testing, such organizations will neglect regression tests. Omitting regression testing is not advisable for future purposes, as usually errors to be detected during regression testing are missed. If an end-user or a potential investor encounters usage issues due this error, it affects the organization’s image. An effective technique to avoid challenges while managing regression testing test cases would be to automate. Read about automated regression testing of software.
