Performance testing is a process to evaluate how a system performs, in terms of responsiveness and stability, under various conditions. It is crucial to assess whether the system functions properly according to the desired situations or conditions. The main factors or objectives of performance testing include:
- Response time of browsers, pages, applications, and networks
- Server request processing time
- Concurrent user load tolerance
- Usage of processor memory, number of errors, or types of errors that may occur in the application
From the points above, it becomes evident that conducting performance tests for a system is important to ensure confidence that your software meets expected service level standards and can provide a good user experience. If customers use an application without proper testing, it may damage the organization's reputation before the issues are even identified. Therefore, testing helps prevent such occurrences and improves the quality of the application. It also assists in evaluating applications before they are put into actual use by applying appropriate strategies tailored to the performance test of each application. While the cost of implementing performance testing strategies may be high, continuously adapting and optimizing these strategies are keys to the success of a comprehensive digital strategy.
When is it appropriate to conduct Performance testing?
The lifecycle of an application comprises two stages: application development and simulating real-world usage environments. In each case, testing should be conducted.
During the application development phase, testing should be performed as soon as components of the application are tested. The faster the components are tested, the quicker abnormalities can be detected, resulting in lower costs for rectification.
As the application begins to take shape, performance testing should be increasingly comprehensive. In some cases, adjustments may be made during implementation.
Types of Performance Tests
There are various techniques for performance testing, such as Load Testing, Stress Testing, and Endurance Testing, each with different objectives and methods.
1.Load tests: Simulate the number of concurrent users that might use the application to create real-world usage conditions and response time conditions. This testing can help identify potential bottlenecks and determine if architecture changes are necessary.
2.Stress Tests: Evaluate system behavior during peak periods. These tests significantly increase the number of users and are carried out continuously over a period.
3.Endurance Tests: Assess system stability and performance over a specific period where the system is actively involved in operations. The goal is to evaluate memory leaks, performance degradation, or other issues that may occur during continuous operation over several hours, days, or even weeks to ensure the application functions well in the long term.
4.Regression Tests: Determine if the latest version changes have a negative impact on performance. This ensures that new features, updates, or fixes do not degrade overall system performance compared to previous versions.
5.Scalability tests: Assess the application's ability to scale up or down to accommodate changes in workload or user demand. They identify scalability limitations and bottlenecks when the number of user requests or data volume increases or decreases.
6.Reliability tests: Evaluate system reliability, readiness, and flexibility under simulated real-world conditions. Simulate failure scenarios and undesirable conditions to verify the system's ability to maintain performance and functionality consistently over time, ensuring reliable operation in a production environment.
In addition to other types of Performance tests such as Soak tests, Spike tests, Volume tests, and Compatibility tests, in today's era, whether it's necessary to write code for Performance testing is a question that arises.
Performance testing does not necessarily require coding, as there are Performance testing tools that follow Low code or No code approaches. On the other hand, some tools may require coding, such as JMeter or Selenium. Whether you choose a codeless or code-driven approach depends on various factors. However, if you haven't decided on a Low code or No code tool yet, DPM recommends a platform called Tricentis for continuous testing.
Lastly, Performance Testing should be continuously adjusted to fit your business needs. It helps provide an excellent user experience and accelerates development, driving business success in today's digital world.