To ensure excellent software application performance we need one tool that is nothing but performance testing. This is used to measure the attributes of the system such as reliability, scalability, and resource usage. It is also used to measure response time, and the number of instructions per second, and is always in conjunction with stress testing.
Performance Testing Techniques:
The following are the techniques that are used in performance testing.
- Stress testing
- Load testing
- Spike testing
- Soak testing
There are many ways to approach performance testing. For example, benchmark testing is used for repeatability, and capacity planning testing is used to test the upper limit of the system. If we don’t use the performance testing properly, then it will become a confusing task.
Benchmark Testing:
Twenty years back the term benchmark was introduced, and still, it plays an active role in relative performance measurement. A benchmark is a metric that is used to determine product quality. Benchmark testing is used to give quantifiable results repeatable sets and is used for SUT(system under test) which is a comparison process between the performance of hardware and software. SUT is a web-based application. Response time should be stable among all types of load conditions. Consistency and control are essential factors for performing.
Benchmark Testing Services:
The following services can be done by using Benchmark testing:
- Accessibility
- Link popularity
- Compatibility testing
- Load Time
- Broken Links
Accessibility:
For widespread practice, the accessible web tool is used. Identifying the accessibility barriers burden can be reduced by using accessibility evolution tools. There are different ways to carry the accessibility checks.
Link Popularity:
The word link popularity is referred to as the total number of incoming links. To increase the domain authority, it is important to get many high-quality incoming links. Link popularity is one of the important priorities to increase Mozrank as well.
Compatibility testing:
The non-functional testing which is conducted on the application is called compatible testing. It is used application’s compatibility evolution. It has both forward and backward testing.
Load Time:
Load time can be measured by using tools like Google Page Speed Insight and GTmetrix. These tools are used to measure both desktop and mobile devices. For applications load time can be analyzed by YSlow.
Broken Links:
Many tools are used to identify broken links such as Google Analytics, and Xenu. These tools are used to track the website’s performance and also to find broken links easily.
Components of Benchmark Testing:
There are mainly three main components of Benchmark testing. They are:
- Specifications of workload
- Specifications of metrics
- Specifications of measurement
The workload is nothing but determining the frequency of response submitted under test. Metrics are used to eliminate the download speed. Specification of measurement is to decide to get proper values.
Capacity Planning:
The iterative process which is used to determine the application needed software and hardware configuration is known as capacity planning. The amount of resource which meets the service demands can be possible through capacity planning.
Purpose of Capacity Planning:
Capacity planning is used to determine the resource requirements (memory, storage, CPU) to support the user load. It is also used for load testing, stress testing, and soak testing.
Challenges of Capacity Planning:
The following are the challenges when capacity planning is conducted.
- A new system designing
- Migration from solutions
- The business process has changed
- End user community changed
The objectives of Capacity Planning:
- Required Network bandwidth
- Storage type and size
- Memory size
Recommendations for Capacity Planning:
The following are the necessary steps involved in developing a capacity plan.
- Identification of service levels
- Workload definitions
- Components response time identification
- Measure usage resource and service levels
- Unit of work determination and future processing requirements
- Future system configuration planning
Some other tools in Performance Testing:
As we already know the process of determining reliability, scalability, effectiveness, and speed is known as performance testing. We have many other tools in performance testing such as Web load, Silk performer, LoadUI Pro, Load view, StresStimulus, Neoload, Orion (used to test Oracle DBA), Apache JMeter, Smartmeter.io, Apploader, Rational performance tester.
Web load Tool:
Correlation, response validation, native Java Scripting, messaging, and debugging are offered by Web load IDE. Almost 50 virtual users are included in the Web load edition with features of Web load access. After downloading and installing the updated license then click the free edition option.
Silk performer:
Silk performer is nothing but a leading solution test for stress testing and load. Its primary objective is to deliver a consistent user experience at any time. It can create an environment of battle ready and can be massive withstand at any time.
LoadUI pro:
Efficient load testing can be possible with the loadUI pro by itself against APIs and also run SoapUI protests in multiple steps. The test load workflow at the one-off endpoint is simplified by the loadUI pro.
Load view:
Load view is the tool that is used to test the website from outside of our network. Multiple test scenarios can be created, and also many users can be scaled. Without managing the hassle of hardware, we can design the load test. When we want how many users can handle the system in that particular situation load test is used.
StresStimulus:
Non-premise powerful performance testing tool which tests stability and web app speed and emulates the conditions of website operation is known as stress Stimulus. It is also a load-testing tool for enterprise apps, websites, and mobiles.
Neoload:
Neoload is the performance testing tool to eliminate the bottlenecks in our mobile applications and websites. This tool is developed by Neotys. It is the only tool that covers IoT apps, mobiles, microservice architect apps, and cloud-ready apps.
ORION:
ORION (Oracle IO number) allows measuring input/output storage system performance without installing Oracle. It is specially designed for predicting I/O bottlenecks and stimulation. ORION is developed by a Swedish company and is an application of JavaEE.
Apache JMeter:
Apache JMeter application is designed to measure the performance and functional behaviour of the load test. Both static and dynamic resource performance can be done by using Apache JMeter. SOAP / REST Web services, TCP, Java Objects, LDAP, FTP, and Message-oriented middleware, are the features of Apache JMeter.
Smartmeter.io:
Smartmeter.io is a desktop application that was created to cover all load testing needs and their performance. CI/CD ready, Scriptless test, and GUI test run are the features of Smartmeter.io. It is available for Linux, Mac OS, and Windows.
Apploader:
The stimulation of different kinds of users for any number of users can be possible with the Apploader tool. It is for ANY application load testing and functional performance. It ensures the readiness of the application and is a highly affordable test tool.
Rational performance tester:
The tool identifies the presence of performance bottlenecks and the causes of the system. It is developed by IBM Corporation. It is the execution and test creation tool that helps to develop reliability and scalability.
Conclusion:
Performance testing reduces the downtime risk. Benchmark testing is useful to get a quantifiable, repeatable set result and is also used for mobile applications whereas capacity planning is handled for sessional demands with proper forecasting with suitable plans. Several tools are used to perform performance testing efficiently and rapidly.
Suggested:
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Thank you Sajid.
Hi Anji,
Great post with good information. Performance check from time to time is very important as it allows you to evaluate where you stand. It help you to work and improve things which needs attention. Your post is very in-depth and beneficial.
Thanks for sharing. Have a good day. 🙂