Why is regression testing important in DevOps?

In a software development environment, DevOps entrusts smooth communication and cooperation between Operations and Development teams. Both teams work coherently and the responsibilities are shared to accomplish the ultimate goal that is special software that is being quickly delivered that fulfils the emerging customer needs. In this article, you will get to know the strategic importance of regression testing in DevOps.  

What is Regression testing? 

It is a testing method that re-runs functional and non-functional tests to make sure that the software application works as expected after any code changes, improvements, revisions, updates or optimizations have been done. It plays a crucial role in the software development process as it allows developers to identify unexpected faults in the application that may arise due to enhancements, tweaks or extending of the existing database. 

Overall stability to the software product or application is provided by the regression testing method by keeping a check on the existing features functionalities. It makes sure that the application or system can withstand and sustain frequent improvements. 

Following are the key areas wherein regression testing can be tactically applied in a DevOps environment: 

1. Changes in source code need to be identified: All the optimizations and modifications in the source code are identified, which is further followed by changed components being identified.  

2. The identified changes are being prioritized: All source code modifications and identified product needs are prioritized by aligning the test processes with test cases and relevant tools 

3. Test cases need to be selected for re-run: Selection of those test cases is done that needs to be re-run depending on the source code modified module. At this stage, the complete test module need not be tested. The test case and post-test selections are classified into outdated and reusable test cases. Finalization of reusable codes is done for regression testing. There is no usage of obsolete codes in coming testing cycles. 

4. Test scenarios needs to be considered:  Test case variables such as regression test designs, test data preparation etc., are assessed to ascertain how they impact the test case execution time 

5. Manual and automated test cases needs to be categorized: Automated test cases are considered to be faster than manual test cases. Reusing of the test code can be done multiple times in the automated test environment. Hence, the test cases