The types of #testing done to make sure that an application holds up to all the abuse the user throws at it are far and wide. From the gazillion tests that are done, let us take a look at #performancetesting first. From the name you might already have a good idea of what performance testing means, basically it measures an application’s #stability, #scalability, speed, and #responsiveness under a particular workload. It is an essential step in ensuring software quality but unfortunately, it’s often overlooked and usually begins after most if not all the functional tests are completed and in most cases, after the code is ready for release. It needs to be done to ensure that the finished application does not fail under any extreme workload.
#testers usually evaluate a bunch of things including but not limited to application output, processing speed, data transfer velocity, network bandwidth usage, maximum concurrent users, memory usage, workload efficiency, and command response times.
Why should you do performance testing?
Well, technically, you don’t necessarily have to run performance testing if you don’t want your application to work at its absolute best, just saying 😛
But as we know most #organizations run performance tests for the following reasons:
- Test whether the application meets performance requirements (for example – the ability of the application to handle 1000 users at once)
- Identifying application bottlenecks
- To compare the performances of 2 applications
- To check the promised performance levels of the application by the vendor
- To confirm the stability of the application under different workloads
Performance testing monitors a list of parameters that are important to ensure the proper working of a certain application. And #businesses must understand the necessity of a rigid and efficient system for the same purpose.
We at 4Labs Technologies , make sure that these metrics are checked properly every time. Some of the important values we ourselves look into are:
CPU utilization: Refers to the percentage of CPU capacity utilized in processing a list of requests
Memory utilization: A metric that shows the amount of primary memory utilized by the computer while processing work requests
Average load time: The time taken by a webpage to complete the loading process and appear on the user’s screen
Throughput: The measure of the number of transactions an application can handle in a second
Average latency/Wait time: The time for which the request waits in the queue before getting processed
Bandwidth: This metric refers to the measurement of the volume of data transferred per second
Requests per second: The number of requests handled by the application per second
Error rate: The metric refers to the percentage of requests resulting in errors compared to the total number of requests
Transactions Passed/Failed: The percentage of passed/failed transactions against the total number of transactions.
The above metrics are some of the key identifiers you should look at to make sure that the performance of your application does not falter under any extensive use.
Performance Testing (in a nutshell)
Like most processes that have a structured workflow, performance testing is another step-by-step process in which you can help demonstrate that your software system meets certain pre-defined performance criteria or compare the performance of two different systems.
Even though the methodology might differ, the result is same always.
Here is a simple process to execute performance testing are:
- Identifying your test environment: Knowing your physical test environment, the tools and hardware available, and the network configuration before commencing testing can help make this process much easier
- Plan & Design Performance Tests: Determine the usage that could occur between end users and note down probable use cases. It is integral that the testing simulates a variety of end users and use cases.
- Configuring the Test Environment: Arrange the tools, and resources and prepare the test environment for execution
- Implement Test Design: Create the test according to your design
- Run the Tests: Run and monitor the test
- Analyze, Tune and Retest: Analyze, adjust and retest. Share the data and make changes to the parameters to get maximum positive output. The progress will be in small increments for every test iteration. Stop the tests when your hardware capabilities reach the maximum
In a nutshell, a full performance testing routine utilizes multiple performance testing methods. One test type might focus on dealing with the #data volume the app can deal with while another focuses on the stressful working conditions and determining whether it crashes or not.
You should not leave out an extensive performance testing process if you want to have an impeccable product and you should not have to. Most often this process gets sidelined due to #budget constraints, but 4Labs has the #expertise and #tools necessary to get your requirements fulfilled while being #costeffective at the same time. We believe in a clean and tidy completion of all our projects and this means that all our testing processes are built to be robust and thorough. If you feel like what we offer is what you might be looking for, then reach out to us here.
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