Well, Performance testing is a must nowadays. Whether it is a website, application, or anything. It has become a paramount force in testing software for user satisfaction. It eliminates the troubles in an application or a website regarding its performance.

So, it becomes of extreme importance to execute it without any obstacle and constantly do it with new updates and the addition of newer features in the app. The variables’ list does not end here. With different devices and operating systems coming in the market, it is important to the factors to consider while executing performance testing.

In this blog, we discuss the process of performance testing along with its advantages and types. Let’s break the ice by noting different types of Performance tests.

Types:

There are in total of five types of performance testing. Below is the list

1) Performance testing

This is an overall test of the system. The first and foremost type of testing. Here all the elements in the system are tested to find the bug which is making the performance less pleasant. According to that, a report is made and action is taken to make the performance smooth.

2) Load testing

Here, testing is done by creating a demo situation with a higher load so that in real life, the user will have a smooth experience using the app even when the load on her device is heavy.

3) Stress testing

This test includes checking the maximum user number at which the software is vulnerable enough to start making errors. This includes the analysis of when is the system coming back online after having an instant increase in the user number or decrease. Here, this time taken by the system to come back online is another variable to consider.

4) Scalability testing

Here, the performance of the system is constantly monitored by gradually increasing the workload on the system. It can be done by continuously adding more users. It is done to check whether the website or application is handling a constant shift in the load. To analyze the scalability of the app.

5) Volume testing

As it can be guessed by the name, this is done to check whether the application or website can bear the load of a large amount of data. Also known as Flood testing, the data here is gradually increased.

Stages:

There are seven main stages of performance testing.

1) Testing environment identification:

In this initial stage, the tester does what is needed. Getting to know the ground well before playing. He/she recognizes the basic factors first like Software, hardware, tools, network configurations of the system, etc. Sometimes a subset of the system is used but most of the time the actual system is used.

2) Performance metrics Identification:

The identification of various variables through which the testing should be done is done here. Generally, these include, wait time, peak response time, concurrent users, request per second response time, memory utilization, average load time, error rate, throughput, CPU utilization, constraints, etc. The possibility of having a favorable outcome differs from app to application to application.

3) Test Plan and Design:

The testers design a test plan at this stage. It is necessary to plan things according to different factors like account variability of users, testing parameters, and testing data. By identifying different test scenarios, a tester might have to create more than one model for testing.

4) Testing environment configuration:

Now, the testing environment should be assembled to monitor the performance of the website of the application. The software, hardware, and other testing instruments need to be prepared for it.

5) Data Capturing:

After every preparation is done, testing should start. The data now captured on various parameters is there for analysis.

6) Generating analysis and report:

After the analysis of the earlier captured data is done, it should be shared with the team so that the errors which got detected in the analysis will be resolved.

7) Retesting:

After the refinement, a retesting is done to check whether it has worked or not. If anything is found which is yet to be rectified, it is again resolved. This is done until the application or the website is smooth enough to have a great user experience.

Advantages:

• Checking feeble points in the structure.
• Improving the system.
• Assessment of the docility of the application to the growth.
• Checking bugs in the software that are hidden and hard to find any other way.
• Verifying flexibility and dependability of the software

When Should Performance Testing be Performed?

For obvious reasons, Performance testing is done early on in the process of creating an app. It saves a lot of time and effort as the developers know the bugs before releasing the app in the market. This way they can resolve the bugs and make a bug-free app, to begin with. It also helps when you test the basic technical aspects like load balancing, database server performance, network performance, application server performance, and web server performance. Also, it should be done under loaded conditions.

Executing the testing after the app is up and running can be very expensive. Testing it before the release can save you a lot of money. It’s a healthy way to do the testing immediately after the websites are developed. And as said earlier, when any new feature is to be updated in the app, the testing is to be done right away. This confirms a smooth consumer involvement in the application.

Conclusion

So, if you are into software development, understand the pros of Performance testing and give it as much importance and preference as you would give to any other part of the process. It is important to test the software concerning its performance as it directly affects the user’s involvement in the application.

Remember to do the testing at the earlier stages of the development. It is essential for saving time, effort, and money. Testing an application only once at the pre-release stage is not enough. If one wants its users to have a seamless experience, the testing should be done regularly.

So, what are you waiting for, Test it today!

About VTEST

VTEST is an independent software testing company catering to product and service teams across the globe. We are a team of software testers who are passionate about quality and love to test. We develop an in-depth understanding of the applications under test and include software testing services strategies that deliver quantifiable results.

In short, we help in building incredible software.