When it comes to software testing, there’s often a great deal of ambiguity surrounding the terminology. If you ask two software testers, you might receive three different definitions for each testing type. This article aims to clarify the concept of spike testing and how it relates to performance and load testing.
Some Software Testing Definitions
Spike, performance, and load testing are three distinct types of tests used to assess the non-functional capabilities of applications and websites, particularly from a server-side perspective.
- Performance Testing focuses on the speed at which an application is available to end-users. For websites, quality assurance teams employ tools like WebPageTest to identify issues related to image size and the time required to fetch external resources like Google Analytics scripts. Results can vary based on browser cache usage and the geographical proximity of users to application resources.
- Load Testing evaluates how a system behaves when subjected to simultaneous use by numerous users. Testers employ online platforms that simulate access to applications by varying virtual users, each using different devices or browsers. Issues detected may span from server hardware specifications like disk and virtual memory to software concurrency problems, such as log file writing or database table access.
- Spike Testing is closely related to load testing but emphasizes sudden and significant increases in application usage, also known as “spikes.” These spikes can be expected, such as the launch of ticket sales for a music festival or Black Friday sales, or unexpected, such as when content goes viral on platforms like Reddit. Unfortunately, spikes can also be generated maliciously through Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, where load testing intersects with server security.
A significant spike in traffic can have dire consequences for a system, including loss of reputation, revenue, and data integrity. It’s essential to differentiate between legitimate user requests and malicious traffic.
Spike Testing Best Practices
If you’re considering spike testing, here are some best practices to follow:
- Avoid Testing on Production Systems: Never conduct spike testing on a production system, as it may severely impact end-users. Create a dedicated testing environment that replicates the hardware and software characteristics of your production setup.
- Define Realistic Testing Scenarios: Develop test scripts that simulate real user interactions, including wait times between actions. Account for different user paths, covering seldom-used features, based on past user behavior.
- Set up Comprehensive Monitoring: Monitor various aspects of your system, including CPU and memory usage, database status, and recovery times. You want to know how different parts of your system behave during the test.
- Establish Acceptable Metrics Thresholds: Define metrics like memory and CPU utilization or web page loading times. This data will help you understand your system’s performance limits, allowing you to take proactive measures.
Conclusion
While spike testing may not be a priority for a static corporate website, it’s crucial for businesses in e-commerce or those planning promotional events. Failing to stress test your systems with spikes can lead to significant losses in reputation, revenue, and customers. It’s imperative to ensure your applications can handle exceptionally high traffic without crashing or underperforming. By adhering to best practices and conducting thorough testing, you can safeguard your system’s reliability and your business’s success.
