The client-server principle is standard for any application to run. The API connects the client and server, facilitating data transfer between them. Multiple users can concurrently access the app to test the API. Any software is not beneficial if it is not scalable and can not handle more users. So you need to verify if your app is able to manage the users and for this, you have to do load testing and increase the performance of the app by dodging some major unexpected problems. Let us learn more about the importance of API Load Testing.
API load testing is essential when multiple users access the app simultaneously from various systems. It assesses the app’s performance as user numbers increase. This is achieved by sending requests to a single endpoint to evaluate system behavior under load conditions. Through multithreading, we can send many requests from one workstation. It generally takes place after the first testing cycle and at this stage, the system should be having a good performance.
Advantages of API load testing
Stability
If the applications terminate when multiple users request or use the app then people will leave your app and will not prefer to use it further. As they already got many options you need to show that your applications differ from the other applications that are trending in the market by providing better performance and by fulfilling the user’s requirement. So the performance of API plays a major role in the working of the app which also tell us the importance of api load testing.
Fast Performance
Most of the people leave the website if it takes more than 5 seconds to load so it is important that you have to be concerned about having proper API testing as it leads to defiling the reputation of your business if not tested properly. Testing the app with various test cases increases the likelihood of identifying and improving more errors.
Comprehensive statistics
There is a need to gather the statistics of the time taken by the app to load with the growing requests during the API load testing. Some providers require the API response time to be less than 2 seconds. There are key performance indicators (KPIs) such as minimum, average, and maximum response times, and requests processed per unit time. These metrics help assess app performance.
How to create an API load test
There are several tools and methods to do load testing. It depends on the project requirements and the choice of the testing team.
Planning for outlines
As the first step for any testing process includes planning. During project planning, certain information is gathered to assess performance, which then informs the creation of test cases. There are two approaches by which we can perform load testing. Volume testing involves subjecting the system to a huge workload for a limited time, while another method applies a medium workload over an extended period. These tests help detect bugs. Load testing provides insight into the system’s capacity to handle multiple apps or processes simultaneously by simulating API request traffic with required use cases and feasible modifications.
Gatling or Apache JMeter are generally used to perform load testing
Gatling helps us to create new load test scenarios as the script runs creating an informative HTML report recording the response time of every request.
Apache JMeter’s GUI mode enables manual test plan creation or template selection. It provides debugging and result analysis. Non-GUI mode allows command-line execution.
Load testing
During the load testing, the information collected during the planning is tested. After completing the load testing, we connect and prepare the data for further developments, making the test complete. We also apply correlation to understand which server responds dynamically and which one is static. In case the system. If the database and processes fail to meet requirements, we increase power and test until customer demands are satisfied. You need to be very careful during the Performance Testing of an API.
Gatling is an open source and performance testing tool. Here are some reasons to prefer Gatling
- You can use various local servers as well as cloud servers to prepare and run tests it runs on any system.
- You can store your tests in a version control system, facilitating collaboration, saving work, and recording all changes.
- There is no need for any extra plugins as it provides informative dashboards
- It has advanced and high-quality architecture.
JMeter is an advanced open- source load testing tool which can imitate a huge load on a server by making requests. It has its own advantages.
- Usability
- Ability to run on any operating system
- Effective reporting
- Logic controllers for setting up tests.
Tools used
We use specific tools to perform load testing. These tools help us to analyse the following:
- It allows the developers and QA specialists to interact and collaborate
- It shortens the built cycle which helps in providing the high-level performance to the application.
- Helps in setting up performance testing within the software supply chain.
- Using the appropriate tools we increase the user continues to a point where the system fails or simultaneously loads the users.
Closing words
API Load Testing Importance: If aware of server capabilities, load testing may not be necessary. Otherwise, it’s crucial to enhance app performance and accommodate expected user numbers by understanding limitations.
At Krify we are well experienced in Automated API Testing Services we provide API Testing Services for Web Applications and also Automated API Testing Services for Mobile. Krify is one of the best API load testing services in India. Also, we provide API load testing services in the UK. You can reach us here.
