Load testing determines how a system performs under normal and extreme user loads by simulating multiple concurrent users. The objectives of load testing include maximizing operating capacity, determining scalability, and ensuring the system can sustain expected user loads. The load testing process involves setting up a test environment, creating test scenarios, executing the scenarios to gather metrics, analyzing results, and retesting if needed. Load testing enhances sustainability, scalability, and reduces failure risks and costs. However, load testing tools require programming knowledge and can be expensive for high virtual user counts.

1. Load Testing
• Load Testing is a type of Performance
Testing which determines the performance of a
system, software product or software application
under real life based load conditions.
• Load testing determines the behavior of the
application when multiple users use it at the same
time. It is the response of the system measured
under varying load conditions.
• The load testing is carried out for normal and
extreme load conditions.

2. Objectives of Load Testing:
• To maximize the operating capacity of a software
application.
• To determine whether the latest infrastructure is
capable to run the software application or not.
• To determine the sustainability of application with
respect to extreme user load.
• To find out the total count of users that can
access the application at the same time.
• To determine scalability of the application.
• To allow more users to access the application.

3. Load Testing Process:

4. • Test Environment Setup:
Firstly create a dedicated test environment setup
for performing the load testing. It ensures that
testing would be done in a proper way.
• Load Test Scenario:
In second step load test scenarios are created.
Then load testing transactions are determined for
an application and data is prepared for each
transaction.

5. • Test Scenario Execution:
Load test scenarios that were created in previous step
are now executed. Different measurements and
metrices are gathered to collect the information.
• Test Result Analysis:
Results of the testing performed is analyzed and
various recommendations are made.
• Re-test:
If the test is failed then the test is performed again in
order to get the result in correct way.

6. Load Testing Tools:
Apache Jmeter
WebLoad
NeoLoad
LoadNinja
HP Performance Tester
LoadUI Pro
LoadView

7. Advantages of Load Testing:
• Load testing enhances the sustainability of the
system or software application.
• It improves the scalability of the system or
software application.
• It helps in the minimization of the risks related
to system downtime.
• It reduces the costs of failure of the system.
• It increases customer’s satisfaction.

8. Disadvantages of Load Testing:
• Need programming knowledge to use load
testing tools.
• Tools can be expensive as pricing depends on
the number of virtual users supported.