Say it like this
- We need to performance test this under load.
- The performance test revealed some serious bottlenecks.
- Once the performance test passes, we can ship it.
Use it at work
Before launch
- Let's run a performance test on the new search.
- The performance test shows p95 latency at 300 ms.
Planning
- Performance tests run every night.
- We need a performance test for 5,000 users.
Results
- Performance got worse after the update.
- The performance test failed the target.
Don't say this
Performance test is usually a noun; use 'run a performance test' or 'conduct a performance test' rather than as a verb.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| performance test | Checks speed and stability | QA, SRE | Before launches |
| load test | Checks expected heavy traffic | QA, SRE | Before big events |
| stress test | Pushes beyond limits | QA, SRE | To find breaking point |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your manager asks about testing the new payment system before launch. What do you say?
2. Before shipping to production, the QA team must _______ on our database to check response times.
3. Which sentence uses performance test correctly?
4. Rewrite this using performance test: 'Before we release this to users, we need to check how fast it runs when many people use it at the same time.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We need to performance test this under load."
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More about performance test
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"We completed the performance test yesterday and found that the database queries need optimization."
- in a code review
"This change looks good, but we should performance test it with at least 10,000 concurrent users before merging."
- in a team meeting
"The performance test results show that our new feature can handle 5,000 requests per second, which exceeds our requirements."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not confuse with functional testing. Performance testing measures speed and efficiency under load, not whether features work correctly.
- ✕Performance testing shows the app works correctly.✓Performance testing shows the app responds quickly under load.
Performance testing measures speed and efficiency, not functional correctness. Use functional testing or unit tests for that.
- ✕We do performance test every day.✓We run performance tests before each release.
Performance tests are typically run periodically before releases, not constantly, due to their resource intensity.
Other forms(3)
- performance test noun
"The performance test revealed that our server could only handle 500 concurrent users."
- performance testing noun
"Performance testing is essential before any major release to production."
- run/conduct a performance test verb
"We ran a performance test on the new API and found response times to be acceptable."
Often used with(5)
- run a performance test · Most common verb phrase meaning to execute or conduct the test.
- performance test results · The data and findings from the test, often presented in reports.
- performance test environment · The dedicated setup where tests are conducted, separate from production.
- performance test metrics · The specific measurements like response time, throughput, and CPU usage.
- load performance test · Testing how the system performs under heavy user load.
Similar words(3)
- load test · Overlapping term that specifically focuses on how the system handles increased traffic.
- stress test · Tests the system beyond normal capacity to find breaking points; more extreme than performance testing.
- benchmark test · Measures performance against a standard or baseline for comparison purposes.
Opposites(2)
- functional test
- unit test
Questions(5)
- What exactly does performance test measure?
- A performance test measures how well software performs under specific conditions. This includes metrics like response time (how long it takes to respond to a request), throughput (how many requests it can handle per second), CPU usage, memory consumption, and stability. It simulates real-world usage patterns to ensure the application meets speed and efficiency requirements.
- How is performance testing different from functional testing?
- Functional testing checks whether features work correctly (do the buttons do what they should?). Performance testing checks whether they work fast and efficiently (can the system handle 1,000 users simultaneously without slowing down?). You need both types before releasing software.
- When should you run a performance test?
- Performance tests should run before major releases, after significant code changes, and when adding new features that might impact system resources. They typically happen in a staging or testing environment that mimics production conditions, not in production itself.
- What tools do engineers use for performance testing?
- Common tools include JMeter, LoadRunner, Gatling, and k6. These tools can simulate thousands of virtual users, generate load on the system, and monitor performance metrics in real time.
- Is performance test formal or informal language?
- Performance test is neutral, professional language used in both formal documentation and casual workplace conversations. It is the standard term used in tech companies worldwide.
