What is the difference between regression testing and retesting in manual testing?

Difference Between Regression Testing and Retesting in Manual Testing

Regression testing and retesting are two important concepts in manual testing that are often confused with each other. Here is the difference between the two:

Regression Testing:

• Regression testing is performed to ensure that new code changes have not adversely affected existing functionality.
• It involves retesting the entire application, not just the areas that have been changed.
• Regression testing is typically conducted after bug fixes, feature enhancements, or code refactoring.
• The goal of regression testing is to uncover any unexpected side effects or issues that may have been introduced by the changes.

Retesting:

• Retesting is performed to verify that specific identified defects have been fixed.
• It involves testing only the areas of the application that were affected by the bug and its related functionality.
• Retesting is typically done after a bug has been fixed to confirm that the issue has been resolved.
• The goal of retesting is to ensure that the specific defects have been successfully fixed without introducing new issues.

Both regression testing and retesting are crucial steps in manual testing to ensure the overall quality and reliability of the software application.