What is Performance Testing

Definition

According to ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) the definition of performance testing is the following:

Testing to determine the performance efficiency of a component or system.

For Apply QA, This definition is too short and doesn’t describe everything that falls into this category. 

The performance of a product or service is one of the most critical validations that should occur before you go live. As a result, let’s break the standard definition down by efficiency, component, and system:

  • Efficiency
    • The definition of efficiency is all around performance to begin with. 
      According to Dictionary.com, “the state or quality of being efficient, or able to accomplish something with the least waste of time and effort; competency in performance.”
  • Component
    • Components make up the puzzle pieces of a system.  The performance of each component impacts the performance over the overall system.
  • System
    • In regards to system and performance testing, it’s the sum of all parts.  How those components fits together and transfer data and compile.

The Umbrella Effect

Performance testing covers different types of performance tests to validate software quality.  In other words, think of “performance testing” as an umbrella of different tests. The below definitions come from ISTQB.

  • Load
    • A type of performance testing conducted to evaluate the behavior of a component or system under varying loads, usually between anticipated conditions of low, typical, and peak usage.
  • Volume
    • Volume Testing is to verify that the system/application can handle a large amount of data. This testing focuses on Data Base access to memory or servers.
  • Stress
    • A type of performance testing conducted to evaluate a system or component at or beyond the limits of its anticipated or specified workloads, or with reduced availability of resources such as access to memory or servers.
  • Capacity
    • Testing to evaluate the capacity of a system.
  • Endurance/Soak
    • Testing to determine the stability of a system under a significant load over a significant period of time within the system’s operational context.
  • Spike
    • Testing to determine the ability of a system to recover from sudden bursts of peak loads and return to a steady state.

More QA Information

Knowing when to apply which type of quality check is what makes Quality Assurance experts needed.

Please visit Apply QA to let us help you cover all aspects quality assurance and control for your product or service.

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