Web application testing

A Web Application Performance Tool, also known as (WAPT) is used to test web applications and web related interfaces. These tools are used for performance, load and stress testing of web applications, web sites, web servers and other web interfaces. WAPT tends to simulate virtual users which will repeat either recorded URLs or specified URL and allows the users to specify number of times or iterations that the virtual users will have to repeat the recorded URLs. By doing so, the tool is useful to check for bottleneck and performance leakage in the website or web application being tested.

A WAPT faces various challenges during testing and should be able to conduct tests for:

• Browser compatibility
• Operating System compatibility
• Windows application compatibility where required (especially for backend testing)

WAPT allows a user to specify how virtual users are involved in the testing environment.ie either increasing users or constant users or periodic users load. Increasing user load, step by step is called RAMP where virtual users are increased from 0 to hundreds. Constant user load maintains specified user load at all time. Periodic user load tends to increase and decrease the user load from time to time.

With increased application utility, the web continues to evolve to deliver new user experiences. One of the most advanced examples would be the Web becoming a platform for the rich internet application (RIA). The success of a Web application is evaluated by its performance metrics such as revenue, costs and customer satisfaction.

Open Source Web Testing Tools

• JMeter: http://jakarta.apache.org/jmeter/
• QASL: http://qasl.sourceforge.net/
• HTTP Test Tool
• Tellurium: http://code.google.com/p/aost/
• Badboy: http://www.badboy.com.au
• Spectacular: http://code.googgle.com/p/spectacular/

Windows based Web Testing Tools

• Quick test Professional
• LoadRunner
• Rational
• SilkTest
• Testing Anywhere