Software Quality Assurance Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes the objective of regression testing?

1. To evaluate new features only

2. To ensure previous functionalities remain unaffected by changes

3. To test user interface designs

4. To assess network performance

The correct answer is: To ensure previous functionalities remain unaffected by changes

The objective of regression testing is primarily to ensure that previous functionalities of the software remain unaffected by recent changes, such as bug fixes, enhancements, or new feature implementations. This type of testing is crucial in the software development lifecycle because it verifies that existing features continue to work as intended after modifications have been made. When changes are introduced to a software application, there is always a risk that these changes could inadvertently impact other areas of the application. Regression testing allows the development team to catch any such unintended effects early in the testing process. It involves re-running previously completed tests to confirm that the existing functionality works as before, thus providing confidence in the stability of the software after updates. The other options do not align with the primary objective of regression testing. Evaluating new features focuses on the introduction of functionalities rather than the preservation of existing ones. Testing user interface designs pertains to usability and aesthetic aspects, and assessing network performance centers around the responsiveness and stability of connections, which while important, do not directly address the goal of ensuring the integrity of existing functionalities post-change.