Performance testing is considered a vital phase in software development, similar to the regular quality control activities carried out by testers. It is usually executed to determine how fast and efficient a particular module or sub-system works under a certain workload or testing scenario. By doing so, testers can verify and validate quality and productivity attributes of the software such as scalability, reliability and specific resource requirements.

1. Usability testing

This testing checks if the user interface of the software is easy to use and decipher.

2. Security testing

This testing checks the strength of the software security system. This is highly critical for mission-critical applications.

3. Localization Testing

This testing is usually conducted when the software is deployed in another location where the software is required to be translated into a new language.

4. Destructive testing

This kind of testing tries to cause the software or a sub-system to fail, so that the tester is able to understand how robust the software is.

5. Load Testing

This testing deals with executing tests to determine how the software operates under a specific load. Various loads of input are sent at regular intervals to check if proper triggers and alerts are raised at the appropriate time. It is also described as scalability or stress testing.

6. Functional testing

This testing deals with executing tests to determine the way a software functions. This testing uses client inputs and other kinds of test data to understand how the module responds to inappropriate data.

7. Stability testing

This testing is used to check if the software can continuously function in the same manner in and above an acceptable period of time. This testing is also called as endurance testing.

Using test automation tools for conducting the above tests is crucial in order to generate appropriate QA metrics and assess the overall performance of the software product.

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