Every modern user knows that the majority of online applications are focused on mass use.

The use of software involves the simultaneous operation of many users, and in such situations there is a need for performance testing under heavy loads (load testing).

Load testing is an imitation of the work of a certain number of users on a shared resource.

The primary goal of this type of software testing is to confirm that the system is able to successfully withstand the loads to which it will be exposed during actual operation.

Load testing will help find a solution to the following tasks:

• Determine system performance under normal operating conditions and planned load.

• Check the behavior of the application in critical conditions and in conditions of prolonged use

• Find out how performance changes with increasing number of users, changing work intensity, changing hardware platform

As part of the load testing there are also:

• Performance testing is aimed to test the system performance at a given load.

• Stress testing is intended to test the performance of an application under stressful operating conditions (for example, in conditions of a sharp increase in user activity, an increase in the number of simultaneous users, an increase in data volume, a decrease in network bandwidth, insufficient disk space, etc.), as well as to give assessment of the ability of the system to regenerate.

• Load testing checks the behavior of the system with an increase in the number of users

• Volume testing is intended to obtain an assessment of system performance and stability with increasing data volume.

• Stability / Reliability Testing is aimed to test the performance of the application during a long (many hours) average load

Load testing is usually carried out at the early stages of software development in order to minimize the cost of fixing bugs and preparing the product for use on time.

Tools for Load Testing

Free tools for load testing:

• Apache JMeter ™
• The Grinder
• Gatling
• ApacheBench (ab) – Apache HTTP server benchmarking tool
• Siege by Joe Dog
• Taurus
• HP Performance Tester (LoadRunner)
• BlazeMeter

1.5 Hours Load Testing

For this, LoadStorm is suitable. Work in it is built as follows:
1. Register
2. Create a test – which indicates the site to be tortured
3. Verification is required before testing. It is necessary to put a certain text with a code on the main page – or a file with a certain name in the root
4. Next, create a script – when creating a script, we describe how the user goes through your site, which links are clicked, you can add forms. Everything is quite intuitive and understandable.
5. Then set the start time.
6. At the appointed time, the test is launched, we wait 30 minutes while up to 50 users roam your site according to your instructions – and we receive a report.

Fast Load Testing

To do this, use Load Impact. It does not require any registrations. Come in, give a URL and for 10-15 minutes 50 virtual users terrorize your page. Probably too simple, but at least it will allow you to see that your application will not fall at the first glance. Not crashed? That’s great.