Modern applications must operate stably even under high load, otherwise users may experience delays, failures, or complete unavailability of the service. To promptly identify weaknesses and ensure that the system can withstand real operation, load and stress testing methods are used. They help the tester evaluate how the software reacts to different levels of load and extreme conditions. Among the popular testing tools, JMeter vs. LoadRunner stands out — each of them has its own advantages and is used depending on the tasks. In this article, we will analyze the difference between load and stress testing, as well as which tools are better suited for checking software stability
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Load and Stress Testing: Differences
Despite the fact that the concepts are similar, these types of testing are not the same. They answer different questions and differ in their goals and tools.
Load testing involves checking the behavior of the system under high, but nevertheless working loads.
For example, suppose it is expected that the site will be visited by a maximum of 10 thousand people per day. In that case, this is approximately the situation that needs to be simulated when conducting load testing.
During tests, the characteristics of the system are checked under high load: server response time, throughput, features of memory use, and other resources.
Stress testing involves checking how the system behaves under loads that go far beyond the norm. If we take the same example with a site that 10 thousand people per day will visit, then during stress testing it is necessary to simulate a load of 100 thousand users.
Of course, with such a load, the system is unlikely to work in normal mode. However, where, how, and to what extent it will start to fail needs to be determined during testing. Later, this information is used to improve the product and close weak points.
Why Do You Need to Test Performance?
Both load and stress testing belong to the same category of tests — performance testing. It includes types of testing that are designed to check how productive the program remains in different situations.
At the same time, the goals of the two types of tests are different — and so are the reasons for conducting them.
Load testing helps:
- Understand how the product behaves under the expected workload;
- Identify its performance characteristics, such as server response time;
- Figure out how to optimize the application so that it works faster;
- Find the load limit beyond which the application will start to fail;
This testing is needed to evaluate the efficiency of the program under normal conditions, as well as its stability.
If the application starts to fail even under the workload, then it is clearly unstable and needs to be improved. But if the product is so raw, then it will most likely not get to performance testing and will fail at the early stages of testing.
Stress testing, in turn, allows testers to:
- Find the extreme limit beyond which the system will fail completely;
- Evaluate how well the system copes with the consequences of overload, for example, with the failure of individual components;
- Identify weak points that fail first;
- Test the system’s ability to recover from failures and overloads.
Stress testing scenarios can be different. Testers can simulate an increased number of requests to the server, a sharp limitation of resources, and much more.
Stress testing prepares the product for possible overloads in the future, for example, sudden influxes of users or even attacks by intruders. Tests will show what can be expected from the system in each of these situations and will help to protect it from the consequences in advance.
How to Perform Load Testing and Stress Testing?
Load testing consists of several stages, which are basically valid for both load and stress testing. The difference lies only in the details. For example, the goals and tools used may differ:
- Studying the system. Before starting to write scenarios, testers collect all possible information about the system: what components it consists of, what terms describe it, and so on.
- Defining testing goals. Specialists formulate why they will conduct tests and what questions they are going to answer with their help. For example, the goal may be to determine the maximum workload or find weak points in the system.
- Developing a load testing methodology. Testing is carried out according to a methodology, and it is specific to each case. It is developed after collecting information and analyzing the goals. For example, when writing a methodology, they describe:
- Testing limitations;
- Possible errors;
- Test stand and tools;
- Required characteristics;
- Testing stages;
- Reporting requirements.
- Conducting tests. Based on the developed methodology, test cases are created, the environment is configured, and testing is launched (the specified load is simulated, and the results are looked at and described).
- Collection and analysis of results. During the tests, specialists collect results (information on the system’s behavior with different test cases, response time, data on resource usage, etc.).
- Report preparation. The obtained results are compiled into a report, which is then transferred to the customer or the development department.
Load and Stress Testing Tools
Performance is tested using special tools that simulate increased load. Most often, the same tools are used for both load and stress testing. So when choosing, for example, between Load Runner and Apache JMeter, it is worth considering the features of each solution and/or consulting with experts. Here are some examples of such programs:
- Load Runner. It generates traffic and users entering the application under test. Can create analytical reports based on test results.
- Apache JMeter. It has open source code and is available for free, so it is very popular. Most often used for testing web applications.
- Neoload. This solution allows you to simulate up to a thousand users simultaneously, it is used to evaluate websites and mobile applications;
- Grinder. This tool allows the tester to dynamically change parameters directly during testing. Creating and editing tests is possible through the console.
- LoadNinja. This tool constructs tests automatically. It can also debug the tested code.
Conclusion
To ensure the reliable and uninterrupted operation of software, it is necessary to thoroughly test it for resistance to loads. Using effective tools like JMeter and LoadRunner allows you to simulate various operating scenarios, identify bottlenecks, and optimize system performance. The choice between tools depends on the project requirements. If you are looking for a reliable provider of load testing services, we recommend paying attention to PFLB.
