Regression Test Selection Techniques: A Survey

Regression testing is an important and expensive activity that is undertaken every time a program is modified to ensure that the modifications do not introduce new bugs into previously validated code. An important research problem, in this context, is the selection of a relevant subset of test cases from the initial test suite that would minimize both the regression testing time and effort without sacrificing the thoroughness of regression testing. Researchers have proposed a number of regression test selection techniques for different programming paradigms such as procedural, object-oriented, component-based, database, aspect, and web applications. In this paper, we review the important regression test selection techniques proposed for various categories of programs and identify the emerging trends.