What is the difference between Regression Testing and Retesting in Software Testing?

Regression Testing and Retesting are two important aspects of software testing, each serving a distinct purpose in ensuring the quality of a software product. Here are the key differences between the two:

Regression Testing:

Regression Testing is a type of software testing that is performed to ensure that new code changes or modifications do not adversely impact the existing functionality of the software. It involves re-running test cases that cover the impacted areas as well as some key functional test cases to ensure the overall stability of the software.

Retesting:

Retesting is a type of software testing that is performed to validate that a specific defect or issue has been successfully fixed. It involves re-executing the test cases that failed due to the identified defect to ensure that the issue has been corrected and no new defects have been introduced in the process.

Key Differences:

• Regression Testing is performed to verify the overall impact of code changes on the software, while Retesting is performed to validate that a specific defect has been fixed.
• Regression Testing involves re-running a comprehensive set of test cases, while Retesting focuses on re-executing the failed test cases related to a specific defect.
• Regression Testing is typically done after every code change to ensure the overall stability of the software, while Retesting is done after a defect has been fixed to confirm the resolution.

Both Regression Testing and Retesting are crucial components of the software testing process and play a key role in ensuring the reliability and quality of the software product.