Load testing is an integral part of the software development process, especially in the context of ever-increasing demands on system performance. However, there are many myths surrounding this area that create false impressions among users and can hinder the effective implementation of best practices.
In order to successfully evaluate the capabilities of a website or web application, it is important not only to dispel misconceptions but also to use the best load testing tools that can provide accurate and reliable data.
What is Load Testing?
As part of load testing, the team evaluates the performance of a website, web application, or other product under expected real-world load.
Specialists perform load tests to ensure that a website, mobile app, or API can handle a certain number of users at a time.
The primary goal of load testing is to identify and eliminate bottlenecks in the program. It also ensures the stability and uninterrupted operation of the solution before release and use by real users.
The objectives of load testing:
- increase software performance;
- determine whether the infrastructure can support and support the solution;
- determine how stable the software is during peak loads;
- determine the scalability of the web server;
- allow more users to use the software.
Load testing includes the following stages:
- evaluation of the product and its requirements;
- development of strategy;
- setting up the load generator;
- monitoring servers and the load generator;
- preparation of test data;
- development of load scenarios;
- conducting testing;
- analysis of results and preparation of a report.
Using specialized tools, testing involves simulating the load on the server. This means that the program creates the required number of virtual bots that simulate the behavior of real users using the software simultaneously.
If the solution is unstable when processing multiple requests or the response time increases, then it has most likely reached its peak performance. This indicates that there are performance bottlenecks that need to be addressed.
During load testing, the team can analyze:
- resource utilization levels;
- software design and engineering issues;
- hardware performance such as CPU and RAM;
- load balancer performance;
- maximum operating capacity;
- issues in the solution’s performance under load;
- the number of users the software can handle before it reaches its peak performance;
- various issues related to system latency, slow page loading, and crashes under varying levels of traffic.
Common Myths About Load Testing
There are a number of myths around load testing, and for the most part, they arise due to insufficient information about the essence of the testing procedure itself. We suggest considering the most common myths.
1. You can do without testing: why is it not so?
There is an opinion that load testing is not necessary. In fact, this is not true. Yes, you can do without it, but then you risk your site.
Load testing allows you to find the flaws of your site, and you can quickly fix them. When launching a resource without monitoring, you do not know how the site will behave due to the increase in traffic. Without load testing, it is extremely difficult to optimize the site.
There is always a chance that with a sharp jump in traffic, your resource will stop working. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct load testing to know what kind of load your site can withstand.
2. Load testing, stress testing, and performance testing are the same.
Load testing is a test of the response speed and response of the site to a user request. This type of testing allows you to understand how many requests the site can process under normal operating conditions and at the time of increased traffic, and the speed of work is measured as the load increases.
A stress test is a test of the strength of the site. The point is to check to what extent the site can work under peak load. When the number of users jumps, the consumption of server resources increases and at some point, your site will stop working.
Performance testing is checking the functionality of the site under normal load.
3. Load testing and DDoS attacks are identical concepts. What are the differences?
Load testing is checking a website under different types of load. It is necessary to monitor the resource performance under normal and increased load.
DDoS is one of the types of hacker attacks, in which problematic conditions for the site’s operation are deliberately created. For example, an attacker has discovered a resource vulnerability through a login script. It simultaneously sends tens of thousands of login requests until the site completely stops.
The difference between a DDoS attack and load testing is that the site is completely disabled due to exceeding the maximum permissible number of requests and is infected with special malicious code to zombify the site.
4. All load testing tools are the same. Why is this not so?
The software market offers a huge number of utilities and specialized services. But they all work differently and the results sometimes differ dramatically. This is due to the testing method, software or cloud service capabilities, complexity, and flexibility of settings.
Some programs are distributed free of charge, while others must be purchased. Their effectiveness will be completely different. Premium programs may use more advanced algorithms based on neural networks. This increases the effectiveness of testing.
5. There is a universal tool.
No, this is not true. No company can provide software that will suit absolutely everyone. This is due to the fact that services and utilities for load testing work on different algorithms, which may be effective in one case or not be useful in another.
Criteria for choosing a tool for load testing:
- a set of network protocols – the most effective ones work on HTTP, HTTPS, XML, SOAP, FTP, etc.;
- must have JavaScript support;
- work with various CMS;
- availability of SSH monitoring system.
Final Thoughts
Load testing is a critical stage of website or web application development, which helps to avoid failures and ensures high-quality work even under peak loads. Myths surrounding this area often cause confusion and can lead to errors in performance assessment. However, using the best load testing software allows developers and testers to obtain reliable results and ensure the stability of systems in the most difficult operating scenarios. We recommend paying attention to the company PFLB, which provides high-quality services for load testing using the best tools.
