What is a common reason for performing regression testing?

Regression testing is primarily conducted to ensure that changes made to the software, such as bug fixes, enhancements, or new features, do not introduce new defects into previously functioning areas of the application. This is critical because even small changes in one part of the system can inadvertently impact other parts that were not intended to be modified. Therefore, running regression tests helps verify that existing functionalities remain stable and function correctly after such updates.

In this context, the emphasis is on maintaining the integrity of the application post-implementation of changes, ensuring that fixes or new developments have not caused unintended issues. This practice is foundational in software quality assurance, as it builds confidence in the reliability of the software throughout its development lifecycle.