As discussed in the previous tutorial, stress testing is a method employed to scrutinize potential vulnerabilities in a system or application by subjecting it to heavy loads. The primary aim is to ensure the system’s reliability, stability, and optimal performance under challenging conditions.
Stress testing involves various approaches, such as simulating intense workloads on the system or application, to evaluate its capacity and identify potential stumbling blocks before they evolve into actual issues. This type of testing, categorized as non-functional, typically follows the completion of functional testing on a website or application and may involve different test scenarios, approaches, and tools.
To more about Stress Testing:
Stress Testing in Software Testing: Example
Outlined below are guidelines to assist in formulating an effective stress testing strategy:
- Identify Critical Scenarios:
- Recognize frequently accessed scenarios and functionalities that could potentially strain the system, focusing on areas like monetary transactions in financial applications.
- Determine Load Parameters:
- Establish the maximum and minimum loads the system may encounter on a given day.
- Testing Setup:
- Develop a comprehensive test strategy, including test scenarios, test cases, and the necessary testing environment setup.
- Diversify Testing Platforms:
- Utilize three to four distinct computer systems and browsers, each with different specifications, for a thorough evaluation.
- Breakpoint Analysis:
- Identify values below, at, and after the breakpoint, constructing a test bed and gathering data based on these values.
- Network Considerations:
- For web applications, conduct stress tests with slow network conditions to evaluate performance under varying circumstances.
- Response Time Evaluation:
- Determine the ideal response time by executing tests over at least five rounds and analyzing the findings.
- Server Behavior:
- Assess application behavior at various points, such as launch, login, and specific actions post-login, especially at the breaking point.
Stress Testing for Mobile Apps:
Stress testing for native mobile apps differs from web apps and involves considerations specific to mobile platforms:
- Data-Intensive Screens:
- Target commonly used screens with substantial data, ensuring smooth operation even with a large amount of information.
- Scrolling Performance:
- Verify glitch-free scrolling and responsiveness when navigating through extensive lists.
- Server Interactions:
- Confirm seamless interaction with the server, especially during tasks like updating favorites or adding items to the shopping cart.
- Network Variation:
- Consider scenarios with substantial data on a 2G network, displaying appropriate messages in the event of hangs or crashes.
Mobile App Testing Strategy:
- Identify Target Screens:
- Recognize screens with cards, images, and pertinent information for stress testing.
- Focus on Key Features:
- Identify features most likely to be utilized and prioritize them during testing.
- Device Specifications:
- Utilize phones with medium and low-end specifications when designing the test bed.
- Parallel Testing:
- Conduct simultaneous testing on multiple devices to ensure comprehensive coverage.
- Avoid Emulators:
- Refrain from using emulators and simulators, opting for real devices for accurate assessments.
- Network Conditions:
- Avoid Wi-Fi connections with substantial strength, and consider conducting at least one stress test in the field for real-world scenarios.
