Difference Between Retesting and Regression Testing

Details

Last Updated: 21 January 2021

Retesting

Retesting is a process to check specific test cases that are found with bug/s in the final execution. Generally, testers find these bugs while testing the software application and assign it to the developers to fix it. Then the developers fix the bug/s and assign it back to the testers for verification. This continuous process is called Retesting.

What is Regression Testing?

Regression Testing is a type of software testing executed to check whether a code change has not unfavorably disturbed current features & functions of an Application

Re-testing Vs Regression Testing is a common FAQ amongst QA aspirants.

KEY DIFFERENCE

Regression testing is performed for passed test cases while Retesting is done only for failed test cases.
Regression testing checks for unexpected side-effects while Re-testing makes sure that the original fault has been corrected.
Regression Testing doesn’t include defect verification whereas Re-testing includes defect verification.
Regression testing is known as generic testing whereas Re-testing is planned testing.
Regression Testing is possible with the use of automation whereas Re-testing is not possible with automation.

Below is a detailed comparison with Example

Retesting vs Regression Testing

Regression Testing	Re-testing
Regression Testing is carried out to confirm whether a recent program or code change has not adversely affected existing features	Re-testing is carried out to confirm the test cases that failed in the final execution are passing after the defects are fixed
The purpose of Regression Testing is that new code changes should not have any side effects to existing functionalities	Re-testing is done on the basis of the Defect fixes
Defect verification is not the part of Regression Testing	Defect verification is the part of re-testing
Based on the project and availability of resources, Regression Testing can be carried out parallel with Re-testing	Priority of re-testing is higher than regression testing, so it is carried out before regression testing
You can do automation for regression testing, Manual Testing could be expensive and time-consuming	You cannot automate the test cases for Retesting
Regression testing is known as a generic testing	Re-testing is a planned testing
Regression testing is done for passed test cases	Retesting is done only for failed test cases
Regression testing checks for unexpected side-effects	Re-testing makes sure that the original fault has been corrected
Regression testing is only done when there is any modification or changes become mandatory in an existing project	Re-testing executes a defect with the same data and the same environment with different inputs with a new build
Test cases for regression testing can be obtained from the functional specification, user tutorials and manuals, and defect reports in regards to corrected problems	Test cases for retesting cannot be obtained before start testing.

Test Management