The extreme variety of users and related devices on which an application runs poses additional challenges to programmers. It is no longer just a question of evaluating the efficiency of a code from the point of view of functionality and reliability in an empirical way: to avoid even heavy impacts on the quality of the service it is essential to also provide a performance testing phase.
What is performance testing
When we talk about performance tests it is, in a nutshell, a question of taking the user’s side, of trying to understand how and when the application is used, with the aim of preventing any potential sort of problem. Faced with unstable connections, hardware whose technical characteristics and disparate use situations are difficult to quantify, even the best written software can find itself in difficulty.
What is the performance test for? First of all to prevent situations of discomfort on the part of the user, situations that negatively affect the owner or manager of the application. Just think, for example, of an e-commerce app that cannot work with some smartphones due to the configuration, connection or number of simultaneous accesses. Or, to the smart working worker struggling with inefficient procedures in interacting with company systems. With careful smart testing, all these inconveniences can be avoided in advance.
Performance testing, development companion
While it is certainly not possible to predict every possible combination of scenarios, as far as the reach of developers goes, help can come from the most current development methodologies such as DevOps. In the sequence of steps, the performance test must occupy a fixed role. On the other hand, acting by modules helps to identify weaknesses, without prejudice to the need to always evaluate the application as a whole as well.
In practice, it means identifying a series of tests where some benchmarks allow us to evaluate the health of a software, in relation to the environment in which it is executed and the ability to withstand workloads without significant repercussions on performance.
On the one hand, there are therefore classic aspects such as speed, stability and reliability. On the other, the elements most related to the system with which the user interacts. For example, we talk about servers, connection and access to data, with related security procedures
The real objective is not so much to evaluate the whole in standard conditions, but instead to test the IT infrastructure in borderline conditions, so as to evaluate behaviour in peak situations and identify bottlenecks on which to intervene.
Load and stress, the parameters of the performance test
There are several possible activities for a performance testing strategy. However, two represent the main ones from which to start: load testing and stress testing. Depending on the objectives, these two tests may include a variable number of phases, while the first objectives include identifying the load capacity that can be borne by the system, or the necessary one, and defining the scalability criteria necessary to promptly adapt resources to user needs. In any case, these are conceptually simple procedures, with the possibility of relying on dedicated tools.
To carry out the tests, KPIs must be identified, the indices from which to evaluate the relative performance. A delicate phase, where the Key Performance Indexes must be as stable as possible over time, so as to allow comparisons even in the long term. A safe path is to rely on the tools available on the market, which are also able to guarantee uniformity in procedures and reliability in comparing results. If necessary, relying on consultants who are experts in the field, ready to support in identifying critical points and to provide guidance that is the result of broader experience.
There are several possible activities for a performance testing strategy. However, two represent the main ones from which to start: load testing and stress testing. Depending on the objectives, these two tests may include a variable number of phases, while the first objectives include identifying the load capacity that can be borne by the system, or the necessary one, and defining the scalability criteria necessary to promptly adapt resources to user needs. In any case, these are conceptually simple procedures, with the possibility of relying on dedicated tools.
To carry out the tests, KPIs must be identified, the indices from which to evaluate the relative performance. A delicate phase, where the Key Performance Indexes must be as stable as possible over time, so as to allow comparisons even in the long term. A safe path is to rely on the tools available on the market, which are also able to guarantee uniformity in procedures and reliability in comparing results. If necessary, relying on consultants who are experts in the field, ready to support in identifying critical points and to provide guidance that is the result of broader experience.
The aim is to test systems and applications under extreme conditions of use. Load testing must therefore simulate the access of an increasing number of users, with related behaviours, and evaluate the related performance. However, a real scenario must remain, reconstructed based on a current situation.
However, the load test can be carried out right from the development phases. Even in the absence of real situations, subjecting the software to a growing and complex series of requests helps to understand to what extent performance remains satisfactory and possibly identify bottlenecks on which to intervene immediately.
In summary, it is a question of finding the limits beyond which individual infrastructure components struggle to guarantee performance, both in individual modules and as a whole.
Stress testing, on the other hand, allows the analyses to be completed thanks to the information obtained from the previous phase. It puts the entire system, hardware and software, under increasing load so as to estimate the ability to adapt and react without significant impacts on user-side performance.
It’s not just about quantifying maximum levels for resources. It’s also important to assess the reaction in case of external events – starting with cyberattacks on IT systems, or the ability to return to standard levels once the peak has passed.
Thus, a criticality level is identified, beyond which the overload is such as to put the entire usability of the applications at risk. Understanding the potential dangerous situation in time will however allow you to be ready. Anticipating the need to adjust aspects such as hardware resources or connection in a timely manner, effectively prevents problems from reaching the end user, for the benefit of the quality of the service rendered, but also of the image of the company.
How to do performance testing: the process
The process of performing a performance test is crucial to ensure the quality and efficiency of systems and applications. These are the key steps:
- Goal setting: establish specific test goals, including parameters to evaluate such as speed, stability and reliability;
- Choice of tools: select the appropriate testing tools, considering the environment in which the application or system will work;
- Test Configuration: Configure tests to simulate realistic scenarios, including variable workloads and peak conditions;
- Execution and monitoring: run tests and carefully monitor results to identify any bottlenecks or performance issues;
- Analysis of results: examine results to understand application and system performance under various loads and under different conditions;
- Results-based optimization: Make changes and optimizations based on test results to improve overall application or system performance.