Application testing is a necessary process that helps the developers to ensure that the result is as expected and does justice to the brand image. With the help of proper testing procedures, it is possible to ensure not only quick delivery of the product but also high-quality results. In the modern application development process, automation testing has a key role in improving testbench quality. Regression testing is another crucial test case that helps the developers to verify the proper functioning of certain applications that undergo a frequent updating process. Some multiple tools and techniques can assist the developers during this process further. However, app developers need to have a definite idea about the use case of various tools, practices, and techniques.
With this article, we will take a deep look into the prospect of automating regression testing. We will also discuss some of the best platforms and tools that can assist developers in this modern testing process. Let us begin our discussion with the basics of test automation and regression testing.
Understanding Regression Testing and Automation Testing
Regression testing is the process of verifying that any new addition to the application does not introduce bugs or errors in the app. With this form of testing, the developers can verify that the new elements do not break the performance of the existing elements. This is an essential process for applications that undergo a frequent updating process and needs to provide a stable performance to the end users. Regression test cases help the developers to ensure that the end application does not crash or provide sub-optimal execution. Regression test cases are often repetitive, as the developers have to conduct them after every new update in the application.
In simple terms, we can define automation testing as removing a human test bench in the application testing process. Instead of having a manual test bench, the developers can integrate data files consisting of all the important parameters and requirements to help the system interact with the app like a normal user. Based on these interactions, the system will understand the usability, user interactivity, and stability of the app. Based on these reports, the developers can understand whether the application is ready to be forwarded to the production phase. It is also possible to make massive changes to the test code to suit the project requirements. The developers can also store and reuse huge segments of the test code for future projects.
However, the massive shortcoming of automation testing is that it requires a significant investment in resources and time. This is because it will cover all the requirements for integrating multiple plugins, libraries, and frameworks critical for the proper execution of automated test cases. So, the developers must keep all these factors in mind and compare them with their business ventures to understand whether they are ready for the transition.
Scope of Automating Regression Test Cases
Before understanding various techniques and tools for automating regression test cases, the developers need to understand the scope and importance of this process. To simplify this process, we have separated it into three separate categories:
- Automating regression testing helps developers to improve the speed and efficiency of the regression test cases. This is because, with the help of test automation, the developers can remove the human limitations for the application test bench and run the test cases 24 hours round the clock. Moreover, the system will also be devoid of errors that arise due to human involvement.
- Automation testing helps the developers to run the test cases into multiple test configurations. With the help of this process, the developers can execute the test cases in various scenarios and use cases. So, automating the regression test cases will help app development companies to improve the overall test coverage massively.
- Automation testing has a critical role in improving the quality of the final product and reducing the overall cost of the process. This is because, with the help of test automation, companies can get rid of maintaining a manual test bench and save a lot of money in the long run. Moreover, due to the automation of repetitive test cases, the developers can concentrate on other creative areas of the application development process.
Best Tools for Automated Regression Testing
Tools and platforms are critical for simplifying complex automated regression test cases. Thousands of tools are readily available in the present market. However, the developers must remember that only the perfect tool can help them utilize the full potential of their test bench. We have created a list of the most promising tools.
1. Selenium
Selenium is a popular, open-source test suite for executing automation test cases on modern web apps. It has been one of the top choices in this segment for over 10 years. Selenium consists of different tools that help developers at multiple stages of the application development process. It is very easy for developers to execute regression testing with Selenium. Moreover, the open-source nature makes it accessible to developers and testers irrespective of their investment capabilities. It is also possible for the developers to integrate other platforms, tools, and libraries with Selenium to improve the dependability of the test cases. The component tools in the Selenium test suite include the Selenium WebDriver, Selenium grid, Selenium IDE, and the Selenium client API. Let us understand how cloud platforms like LambdaTest can influence Selenium test cases:
Cloud platforms can eliminate the barriers of a physical device lab as they can achieve similar test results while executing the test cases over the Internet. For instance, LambdaTest is a modern cloud-based digital experience testing platform for executing cross-browser test cases on web apps. This platform has various advanced features like parallel test execution for improving the efficiency of test cases. Other than executing Selenium test cases, it can also work with other popular automation frameworks like Cypress and Playwright.
LambdaTest can also verify the proper functioning of locally present web apps for the company’s internal operations. LambdaTest combines the test results from multiple real devices with thousands of simulation software for improving the efficiency and dependability of the test results.
2. Appium
Appium is a popular test automation framework for initiating automation testing on mobile applications. Mobile applications are now an integral part of the app development industry as they control over 50% of the total Internet traffic. While working with Appium, the developers can verify the functioning of Android and iOS applications. Appium also helps app developers to write test cases in their desired programming languages like Ruby, Python, and many others. It is also possible to integrate test frameworks like TestNG with Appium to initiate other functions.
3. TestComplete
This is a popular framework for automating the functional component test cases present in the user interface of a web application. With this framework, the developers can verify the proper functioning of UI elements of not only desktop apps but also web and mobile apps. It supports multiple well-known programming languages like Java, Ruby, Python, and many others. So, the developers can create test scripts in any language according to their preferences. TestComplete also allows the developers to conduct the test cases in a parallel format. It will enable the developers to test the app in the native environment of a browser.
Best Techniques for Automated Regression Testing
Various techniques can help automation testers to improve the efficiency of the test cases. We have created a list of the most effective techniques for automated regression testing that can benefit all developers. They are as follows:
- Utilizing the full potential of an automated regression test bench, the developers need to analyze the test cases that can benefit from it. We recommend the developers pinpoint the test cases that do not depend on specific forms of user inputs. This is because, for these test cases, the developers have to create separate automation test cases every time.
- Application developers need to incorporate an automation framework in their test bench. This is because, with the help of an interactive framework, the developers can not only initiate and execute the test cases but also maintain an activity log. There are also modern test automation frameworks that can help developers to create test cases. Moreover, certain automation frameworks help the developers to improve the coordination with the testing team and reduce the development of the app.
- To utilize the full potential of automated regression testing, the developers must focus on creating reusable test cases. With the help of these test cases, the developers can use huge segments of the primary code in future app projects. This data will also be helpful when the developers are rolling out an update to the existing app. So, we can easily say that the proper use of reusable test data can massively reduce the time and effort related to automation testing.
- While working with automation testing, app developers must focus on parallel testing. This is because modern applications are very complex, consisting of thousands of elements that are used simultaneously. Testing the functioning of all these elements individually will be a massively time-consuming process. On the other hand, parallel testing can help the application developers quickly execute this process by conducting the test cases side-by-side. Parallel testing also makes it possible to run the test cases on different machines and configurations simultaneously. There are also multiple automation testing platforms like LambdaTest and Selenium that support parallel testing.
Conclusion
With this article, we aimed to spread adequate awareness about the influence of automated regression testing. We also discussed some of the best tools and techniques that can help the developers to utilize the most out of their regression testament. The developers need to understand that every tool aims to serve a specific audience base.
So, the developers must choose the correct tool that can complement their personal and development requirements. It is also important to understand the role of automation testing in the modern application development industry. For some considering this influence, the developers must keep their knowledge up to date regarding all the trends and innovations. Lastly, app companies have a critical role in spreading awareness and required knowledge in this segment. These are critical for expanding the business of a company in this industry.
