What is the primary goal of regression testing?

The primary goal of regression testing is to ensure that previously fixed defects remain resolved. When changes are made to the software, whether through bug fixes, enhancements, or updates, regression testing is employed to verify that these modifications do not adversely affect the existing functionality of the software. This is crucial because even small changes can inadvertently impact areas of the application that were previously functioning correctly. By focusing on confirming that resolved issues remain fixed and that no new defects have been introduced in the process, regression testing plays a vital role in maintaining software quality and stability throughout its lifecycle.

While finding new defects, testing under different environments, or validating all functionality may be important aspects of software testing, they do not specifically address the ongoing concern that modifications could reintroduce issues that were previously resolved. Therefore, the emphasis during regression testing is primarily on safeguarding the integrity of previously validated features.