Regression Testing Techniques: A Review

Abstract

The escalation in constant modifications results in veiling faults in software applications that evade detection, compromising the reliability of agile systems.  This increasing difficulty of today's software requires a more strategic assessment of technique trade-offs. If changes are not handled carefully, they may lead to errors in a cascading manner, propagating failure, leading to their downfall. Therefore, the maintenance is performed throughout the software’s lifecycle. Whenever a change is implemented, the software undergoes some predefined tests to ensure its correct working. One of the many testing techniques that validate the proper functioning of software after modifications have been introduced is Regression Testing. This paper categorizes Regression Testing algorithms into five categories, i.e., retest all, test selection, prioritization, test reduction, and hybrid approaches. It aims to evaluate these categories against features such as cost effectiveness, fault detection rate, etc. At the end of the paper, the findings are summarized and future work in proposed.