An introduction to performance testing
Chih Wei Ho, Laurie A. Williams · NCSU Libraries Repository (North Carolina State University Libraries) · 2006
In a software system, performance is the degree to which a system or component accomplishes its designated functions within given constraints, such as speed, accuracy, or memory usage [12]. Performance is an external quality based upon user requirements [10] and the user’s view of the operational system. Performance is also especially critical for real-time systems in which actions must complete within a specified time limit for correct operation [6] (i.e. the system will not operate correctly if the timing does not meet the specification, even if the user cannot perceive the performance problems). Performance may be described with the following indices: • Latency: the time interval between the instant at which an instruction control unit issues a call for data and the instant at which the transfer of data has started [12]; the delay between request and completion of an operation [7]. • Throughput: the amount of work that can be performed by a computer system or component in a given period of time; for example the number of jobs in a day [12]. • Resource consumption: the amount of memory or disk space consumed by the application [16].