.Net Application Testing
Load testing a new .NET application or an update to an existing application can help prevent disastrous performance issues once the application goes live. Many companies do not take this precaution due to load testing’s reputation of being expensive and time-consuming. In this article, you will learn about how to set up and execute a load test on your .NET applications in a way that minimizes costs, is efficient, and gives you good data with which you can most effectively utilize.
Step 1: Select the right load tester
Load testing has the reputation that is does in large part because most load testers on the market are expensive, complicated and slow. If you want to maximize the return on your load testing, you need to avoid these traditional load testers.
One load tester that does not suffer from these deficiencies is AppLoader. This load tester is more affordable, efficient and effective than other load testers. It tests from the end-user’s perspective, which gives you the most relevant and useful data possible. It is also easy to set up and adjust, which means that it takes less time to execute than other load testers.
Step 2: Determine the scope of your tests
Most .NET applications have complex frameworks and multiple types of operations. While testing the entire application, with all of its complexities, gives you useful data, testing simple components of the application first can help you spot specific trouble spots. AppLoader’s flexibility makes it possible to perform multiple tests on different parts of the application easily.
Step 3: Identify the data that you are looking for
Like any kind of test, you will be most successful if you go in with an understanding of what you are looking for. Load testing is all about testing for performance by simulating the usage that the application will be under after it goes live. The specific metrics that you will use to judge performance should be determined beforehand.
Some possible metrics for .NET applications include page-load times, completing a certain number of transactions per minute, and whether the application runs at optimal speed when a certain number of simultaneous users are on the system. There are many more possibilities, but these should get you thinking along the right lines. It is important to be detailed and specific with your answers.
Step 4: Set up the load test
After you have drawn up the right plan, you need to set up the load test itself. Your load test may require the cooperation of multiple departments, so be sure to make the appropriate arrangements that will enable this coordination.
You need to come up with an estimate for the number of anticipated users of your application. If you are testing an upgrade of an existing application, then this should not be too difficult. If you are testing a brand new application, then you need to do a little more guesswork.
Step 5: Execute the test
If you have followed the previous steps and properly prepared for your load test, then the execution of the load test should go smoothly. A useful pointer when executing your load test is to test for both normal expected usage and higher than expected usage. By testing the unexpected, you can be even more confident when launching your application.