sanity-testing-vs-regression-testing

Sanity Testing vs Regression Testing - 7 Key Differences

Among the various types of testing, Sanity testing and Regression testing are two commonly used approaches, often mistaken for each other due to their similar goals. However, they have distinct purposes, scopes, and applications in the development and quality assurance process. Understanding the differences between these two types of testing is essential for any QA professional to maintain a stable and reliable software application.

In this article, we will explore the nuances between Sanity Testing and Regression Testing, explain their key differences, and help you understand when and why each type of testing should be used in the software development life cycle.

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What is Sanity Testing?

Sanity Testing is a quick, initial check performed after receiving a new build or after minor changes (such as bug fixes or small feature additions) have been implemented. The goal of Sanity Testing is not to perform exhaustive testing but to ensure that the critical functionalities of the application are still working as expected. It’s a way to determine if the software is stable enough to proceed with further, more detailed testing, such as functional or regression testing.

Purpose of Sanity Testing:

The main purpose of Sanity Testing is to ensure that the basic functionality is working after minor changes or bug fixes have been applied. It acts as an initial checkpoint to confirm that no major issues have been introduced and that the build is stable enough to move forward with more thorough testing.

Key Benefits:

  • Fast and efficient validation of basic functionality.
  • Helps determine if the software is stable enough for further testing.
  • Saves time by quickly identifying any critical issues.

What is Regression Testing?

Regression testing, in contrast, is a comprehensive and more extensive type of testing aimed at ensuring that changes made to the application, whether bug fixes, enhancements, or new features, do not negatively affect the existing functionality of the software. Unlike Sanity Testing, which focuses on the immediate impact of minor changes, Regression Testing covers a broader scope, including all areas that might be affected by recent changes.

regression-testing-process

Purpose of Regression Testing:

The main purpose of Regression Testing is to detect defects or regressions that may have been introduced by recent code changes, ensuring that the software remains stable and continues to perform as expected across the entire application, even after updates.

Key Benefits:

  • Helps detect unintended side effects of recent changes.
  • Ensures the stability of the system over time.
  • Provides confidence that the application continues to work as expected after updates.

Key Differences Between Sanity Testing and Regression Testing

While Sanity Testing and Regression Testing are both vital to maintaining the quality of the software, they serve different purposes and are performed at different stages of the development cycle. Let’s explore 7 key differences between these two types of testing, which will help clarify their roles in the testing process.

sanity-vs-regression-testing

1. Purpose

Sanity Testing

Sanity Testing is performed to quickly check that the basic functionality of the application works after receiving a new build or minor changes. It ensures that the recent updates haven’t caused any critical issues that would prevent the software from being stable enough for more detailed testing. Sanity Testing is focused on confirming that specific areas of the application, which might have been impacted by changes, are still functioning correctly.

Regression Testing

Regression Testing, on the other hand, is performed to verify that new changes, bug fixes, or added features do not negatively affect existing functionalities in the system. The focus is on maintaining the integrity of the application by ensuring that all parts of the software, including previously tested ones, continue to work correctly after updates. Regression Testing is a broader process compared to Sanity Testing, covering not only the impacted areas but also other components of the application that could potentially be affected.

Example:

If an e-commerce website’s checkout process is updated to fix a bug, Sanity Testing would verify that the checkout function works, while Regression Testing would ensure that the checkout update hasn’t broken other features like payment processing or the shopping cart.

2. Scope

Sanity Testing

The scope of Sanity Testing is limited and very focused. It only covers the most essential functionalities or areas of the application that are impacted by the recent changes. The goal is not to test the entire application but to ensure that the critical functions are working before proceeding with more extensive testing.

Regression Testing

Regression Testing has a much broader scope and aims to test the entire system to ensure that new updates or features have not broken any existing functionality. It covers all the features that could have been impacted by the new changes, ensuring that the software still behaves as expected across all areas.

Example:

After a bug fix to the search function on an e-commerce site, Sanity Testing would only check that the search works, whereas Regression Testing would verify that the search update hasn’t affected other features like product listing, filters, or checkout.

3. Focus

Sanity Testing

Sanity Testing is highly focused and checks only the critical paths of the application that have been impacted by the recent changes. For example, if a bug was fixed in a payment system, the tester would check the payment processing functionality to ensure it worked as expected. Sanity Testing does not aim to test everything but only the areas that are directly impacted by the changes.

Regression Testing

Regression Testing, on the other hand, focuses on maintaining the stability and functionality of the entire system. It tests not only the areas that have been modified but also any other parts of the application that could be indirectly affected by the changes. The goal is to ensure that the entire application remains reliable and that no new issues have been introduced in previously stable areas.

Example:

If a bug in the payment gateway is fixed, Sanity Testing would only validate the payment process, while Regression Testing would check payment processing as well as other areas like user log-in, product cart, and check-out to ensure they remain unaffected.

4. When It’s Done

Sanity Testing

Sanity Testing is typically performed early in the testing process, right after receiving a new build or after minor changes or bug fixes have been applied. It serves as an initial check to ensure that the build is stable enough to undergo further testing, like functional or regression testing.

Regression Testing

Regression Testing is done after significant changes, such as the introduction of new features, bug fixes, or major updates. It is usually conducted later in the development cycle, after the core functionalities have been tested and after the software has undergone other types of testing like unit or integration testing.

Example:

When a bug in the checkout system is fixed, Sanity Testing is conducted first to ensure the fix works, followed by Regression Testing to verify that the update hasn’t affected other parts of the e-commerce site, such as user login or payment processing.

5. Test Case Coverage

Sanity Testing

Sanity Testing involves a small subset of test cases that focus on verifying the critical functionality. It does not cover the entire application but instead looks at the areas that are most likely to be impacted by recent changes.

Regression Testing

Regression Testing, by contrast, involves a much larger set of test cases, often covering the entire application. It checks both the newly impacted areas and other features that might have been indirectly affected by the recent changes. This makes Regression Testing a much more comprehensive process compared to Sanity Testing.

Example:

If a bug fix is applied to the login system of a website, Sanity Testing would focus only on verifying that the login functionality is working, whereas Regression Testing would run test cases to ensure login, navigation, and account settings still function correctly throughout the entire system.

6. Time and Effort

Sanity Testing

Sanity Testing is a quick and low-effort process. Since it only involves verifying a small subset of functionalities, it does not require much time or resources. It is intended to be fast and efficient, providing a quick assessment of the application’s stability before more thorough testing begins.

Regression Testing

Regression Testing is typically more time-consuming and resource-intensive. Since it involves testing a broader range of functionalities and may require running several test cases, it takes longer to execute. In larger applications, Regression Testing can be automated to save time, but it still requires more effort compared to Sanity Testing.

Example:

For a minor update to a product listing page, Sanity Testing would take just a few minutes to verify that the update works, whereas Regression Testing would take longer to check for any impact on the entire shopping experience, including searching, sorting, and the checkout process.

7. Automation

Sanity Testing

Sanity Testing is often performed manually, especially in smaller teams or when the changes are minimal. The focus is on performing quick checks, so there is typically no need for automation. However, if the same tests are performed frequently, they can be automated to improve efficiency.

Regression Testing

Regression Testing is often automated, especially in larger and more complex applications where frequent updates are made. Automation helps ensure that tests are executed consistently and rapidly, making it easier to maintain software stability over time. Automated Regression Tests can be integrated into the CI/CD pipeline, allowing for continuous testing and real-time feedback.

Example:

When a simple bug fix is applied to a form submission feature, Sanity Testing would likely be done manually due to the quick checks involved, while Regression Testing would be automated to efficiently test the entire submission process, data validation, and integration with back-end services.

What Global App Testing (GAT) Offers: Elevating Quality Assurance

Global App Testing (GAT) provides comprehensive, cutting-edge testing solutions designed to meet the evolving demands of modern software development. By leveraging a unique crowdsourced model, GAT delivers real-world testing across diverse environments, offering unmatched quality assurance and ensuring your software meets the highest standards.

gat-results-types

Core Services

  • Functional Testing: Ensures your software performs all intended functions correctly and reliably.
  • Regression Testing: Verifies that updates or changes do not disrupt existing functionalities, helping to maintain stability post-deployment.
  • Exploratory Testing: Detects hidden defects and edge cases beyond predefined test scripts.
  • Test Case Execution: Executes predefined test cases to provide consistent, reliable results and ensure software functionality is thoroughly validated.
  • Localization Testing: Assesses the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of your application for different global markets, ensuring a seamless user experience across regions.
  • Usability and UX Testing: Enhances user experience by evaluating the ease of use, design, and overall satisfaction of your software from a user’s perspective.

A Unique Crowdsourced Approach

GAT’s global network of over 90,000 testers brings diverse perspectives and extensive real-world coverage to every project. Operating across a wide array of environments, our testers identify issues that traditional testing methods might overlook, ensuring your software meets user expectations and performs optimally across multiple devices, platforms, and regions.

Focus on Sanity and Regression Testing

  • Sanity Testing: GAT’s diverse tester community offers quick and effective validation of the core functionalities after minor changes or bug fixes. This ensures that the basic features work as expected, helping to determine if the build is stable enough for further, more detailed testing. By leveraging real-world scenarios, GAT’s approach helps identify any 
    critical issues early, providing faster feedback to developers.
  • Regression Testing: GAT’s expansive pool of testers ensures thorough testing of recent code changes to verify that new updates do not disrupt the existing functionality of the application. This broad testing approach helps maintain the stability of the entire system, covering not only the impacted areas but also other components that could potentially be affected. By detecting defects in real-world environments, GAT accelerates the identification of issues and improves the overall reliability of the software.

Key Benefits

  • Faster Testing Cycles: The scale of GAT’s global tester pool speeds up the testing process, delivering results faster.
  • Unmatched Coverage: With testers located across the globe, GAT offers unparalleled testing coverage across devices, platforms, and user contexts.
  • Real-World Insights: GAT’s crowdsourced approach provides valuable feedback from real users, helping identify issues that traditional testing environments often miss.
  • Expert Collaboration: GAT facilitates collaboration between testing teams and developers, bridging any gaps to ensure thorough and efficient testing.

Interested in learning more?
Reach out today to schedule a call with one of our specialists and discover how Global App Testing can elevate the quality and reliability of your software!

We can help you drive software testing as a key initiative aligned to your business goals

Contact us

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