IntroductionChapter 1. The Basic Concepts of Performance Testing
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1.1 Principles of Performance Testing
1.2 Types of Performance Testing
Performance Testing
Load Testing
Stress Testing
Scalability Testing
Spike Testing
Endurance Testing
Concurrency Testing
Capacity Testing
1.3 Testing Activities in Performance Testing
Static Testing
Dynamic Testing
1.4 The Concept of Load Generation
Load Generation via the User Interface
Load Generation Using Crowds
Load Generation via the Application Programming Interface (API)
Load Generation using Captured Communication Protocols
1.5 Common Performance Efficiency Failure Modes and Their Causes
Chapter 1 Questions
Chapter 2. Performance Measurement Fundamentals
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2.1 Typical Measurements Collected in Performance Testing
Why Performance Metrics Are Needed
Collecting Performance Measurements and Metrics
Selecting Performance Metrics
2.2 Aggregating Results from Performance Testing
2.3 Key Sources of Performance Metrics
2.4 Typical Results of a Performance Test
Chapter 2 Questions
Chapter 3. Performance Testing in the Software Lifecycle
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3.1 Principal Performance Testing Activities
3.2 Categories of Performance Risks for Different Architectures
Single Computer Systems
Multi-tier Systems
Distributed Systems
Virtualised Systems
Dynamic/Cloud-based Systems
Client -Server Systems
Mobile Applications
Embedded Real-time Systems
Mainframe Applications
3.3 Performance Risks Across the Software Development Lifecycle
3.4 Performance Testing Activities
Sequential Development Models
Iterative and Incremental Development Models
Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and other Supplier/Acquirer Models
Chapter 3 Questions
Chapter 4. Performance Testing Tasks
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4.1 Planning
4.1.1 Deriving Performance Test Objectives
4.1.2 The Performance Test Plan
4.1.3 Communicating about Performance Testing
4.2 Analysis, Design and Implementation
4.2.1 Typical Communication Protocols
4.2.2 Transactions
4.2.3 Identifying Operational Profiles
4.2.4 Creating Load Profiles
4.2.5 Analysing Throughput and Concurrency
4.2.6 Basic Structure of a Performance Test Script
4.2.7 Implementing Performance Test Scripts
4.2.8 Preparing for Performance Test Execution
4.3 Execution
4.4 Analysing Results and Reporting
Analysis Techniques
Reporting
Chapter 4 Questions
Chapter 5. Tools
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5.1 Tool Support
5.2 Tool Suitability
Chapter 5 Questions
Chapter 6. References
6.1 Standards
6.2 ISTQB(R) Documents
6.3 Books
6.4 Papers and Articles
Chapter 7. Question Answers
7.1  
About the Author: After a circuitous route into IT, Keith Yorkston has spent the last 20 years involved with software quality and risk. Cutting his teeth early in performance testing before good books were written on the subject, Keith went on to work as a consultant and trainer across the world. He currently works as an independent consultant specializing in performance and security.