Describe the difference between regression testing and retesting in software testing.

Manual Tester Interview Question: Describe the Difference Between Regression Testing and Retesting in Software Testing

Regression Testing and Retesting are two important concepts in software testing that serve different purposes and are conducted at different stages of the testing process. Let's explore the differences between the two:

Regression Testing

Definition: Regression Testing is the process of retesting a software application to ensure that new code changes have not adversely affected the existing functionality of the system.

Purpose: The main purpose of Regression Testing is to make sure that any new code changes or enhancements do not introduce any unintended side effects or break previously working functionality of the system.

Scope: Regression Testing typically involves testing the entire application or a significant portion of it to ensure comprehensive test coverage.

Retesting

Definition: Retesting is the process of re-executing test cases that failed in the initial test cycle to verify whether the identified defects have been fixed correctly.

Purpose: The primary objective of Retesting is to ensure that specific defects reported earlier have been addressed and fixed by the development team.

Scope: Retesting focuses on validating the fixes for specific defects and does not involve testing the entire application unless necessary to confirm the resolution of the reported issues.

Key Differences

• Regression Testing is done to ensure that new changes do not impact existing functionality, while Retesting is done to verify the resolution of specific defects.
• Regression Testing typically involves a broader scope of testing the entire application, whereas Retesting has a narrower focus on verifying the fix for identified issues.
• Regression Testing is proactive in nature to prevent regression issues, while Retesting is reactive to confirm the correctness of defect fixes.

Both Regression Testing and Retesting are essential components of software testing to ensure the quality and reliability of the software applications.